Week 7: "Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor"

(Sorry, this post is a little later than I wanted it to be, but I had a pretty busy week getting ready for the holiday.) I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your families!

Last week we learned a little more about the men who risked everything to put their names on the Declaration of Independence. As Paul Harvey said, these were not men who had nothing to lose; they had everything to lose! They were educated men with families, property, reputations and professional careers. They were well-established in their communities, and many held prominent positions in their local legislatures. Our founders were keenly aware of all that could be lost if they were to stand up against the most powerful monarch in the world--and they did it anyway. They did it because they understood that some things--like freedom and liberty--are profoundly greater than reputations and property and political positions. Some things are worth the sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears required to attain them because the reward can mean blessing countless lives in unimaginable ways, now and for many generations to come. This week, I challenge you to pick one name (one less familiar to you) from the Declaration of Independence, and learn more about that founding father. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and are grateful for our pilgrim ancestors who first came here to exercise religious freedom, let's also remember the fifty-six men who risked all they had to make sure our God-given rights could be protected and preserved. 

Here's an additional video about one of my favorite founders, George Wythe:

In case you missed it, here's the video we watched in class:

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

WRITING: What is more important, your family or your country? Remember to discuss this question with your families, and to take a position and defend it. In other words, give YOUR opinion and be bold! Make John Adams proud!

PRESENTATIONS: Thank you, Sarah, for teaching us about strange and gruesome medical practices! This Thursday, we will be pleased to hear from Morgan on Life as a Prisoner, and from Liya on Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. Here are a few reminders about second presentation expectations:

• Note cards only with NOTES for reference--no reading your entire presentation!
• "Visual" Aids: the more dazzling, the better! But don't limit yourself to a picture or poster: "visual" aids can be anything, really--a costume, a game, a model, a song--think outside the box and be creative!
• Focus on the fascinating parts of your subject that you found most interesting, and share that with the class: when you're excited about what you teach, your audience will be excited to learn it!

READING: 

• I forgot to mention this one in class, but read The American Crisis by Thomas Paine (pg. 23 in your binder). Highlight and define vocabulary words that you are unfamiliar with.

• If you haven't already, start reading Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. This is due January 13th.

CANDY TRIVIA:

List the names of ten signers of the Declaration of Independence from memory.