Rights Vs. Privilege

Today's class 

We discussed the differences in Rights and Privileges.  It's a heady topic and a much debated one.

Check out these resources to keep examining the differences and similarities:

• Individual Rights

1. Ayn Rand Lexicon -- Individual Rights
2. Civil Rights Legal Definition
3. Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

• Privilege

1. The Law Dictionary

• Negative and Positive Rights

1. Learn Liberty
2. The Perils of Positive Rights
3. Guide to the Issues: Understanding the Difference Between Positive and Negative Rights
4. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Rights

Next Week's Class

• First Amendment

1. Layers of Learning -- The First Amendment
2. 
   

          3.

     4. The History of the First Amendment (Illinois First Amendment Center)

• Second Amendment

1. Constitution.org The Second Amendment and the Personal Right to Arms
2. Kids Law.com
3. FEE Reading the Second Amendment
4. Library of Congress Second Amendment

• Third Amendment

1. National Constitution Center The Third Amendment
2. Cornell University of Law the Third Amendment
3. Bill of Rights Institute 

I handed out The Law, so please begin to read it.  It isn't very long.  Check out this link to learn more about who is Bastiat.  I ended the class with a quote by Ayn Rand, "The man who produces while others dispose of his product is a slave."

Please remember to pray for the Executive Branch and continue to pray for the situation in the Middle East.

Constitution Day and Class Recap

I forgot to share this with you guys last week, so check out these links to help with your research on body language and politics:

• New York Times: What Romney and Obama's Body Language Says to Voters
• Time Life The Kennedy-Nixon Debates

Today is Constitution Day!  Here are some links to celebrating the day: 

• Constitution Center (activities and lessons and more -- OH MY!)
• Constitution Facts  (history of Constitution Day -- Free Constitution Available)
• National Archives 

I said we would look at controversial things, sooooo check out this article about how Constitution Day began and how it is "unconstitutional."  We'll discuss your thoughts in class...

The Preamble presentations were AMAZING!!!  We had a bit of twang, some British accents,a  beat-boxing rap, and Gilligan's Island Theme Song for the tune to recite and remember the LONG sentence that encapsulates the purpose of our Constitution.  

I think you guys could do a You Tube video! Hmmmm.... Maybe that will be an assignment sometime during the semester.  

The Bill of Rights will be our focus for the next couple of weeks (BUT don't forget the tasty treat you are promised for memorizing the Preamble!!!).  Use the following resources to help you prepare for class: 

• Annenberg Classroom (watch the Bill of Rights Video)
• Bill of Rights Institute
• Constitution Center (Bill of Rights Video)
• US History.org 

HOMEWORK --

1. Familiarize yourself with The Bill of Rights -- First 10 Amendments (use this blog -- watch the videos and research the links with your parents)
2. What do you think about the article on Constitution Day?
3. Memorize the Preamble (Tasty Treat)
4. Go over the handouts from today (Enlightenment Quotes, Declaration of Independence, State Constitutions)
5. Ask 5 people/friends what they believe is the USA's form of government -- we will make a chart in class with the info.
6. Pray: Middle East and US involvement (Islamic State); NFL (Domestic Violence and Child Abuse); Pastafarian; and the Legislative Branch (TN Blue Book Legislative Branch; Hamblen County Legislative Branch 6/19/14; TN.gov Elected Officials)
7. Bring your copy of the Constitution, folder, legal pad, and a writing utensil to class.  PLEASE!!!  
8. If you have The Complete Idiot's Guide to US Government and Politics, please read Chapters 2,3, and 16.  
9. EXTRA -- Try to come up with a super-long sentence (30+ words) with correct grammar.

It's gonna be another interesting and fun time in Government!  You guys ROCK!!!

Foundational Documents

GREAT class today!  

Next week I will give you your own copy of The Constitution of the USA!  

Please use this blog to help you prepare for our classes over the next few weeks.  Today's handouts are for your own benefit.  We may discuss some philosophical thought that influenced the establishment of our government next week.

This blog only offers some ideas and links (there is a great big wide web out there!) and I've tried to represent different thought.  Please be wise!  One goal of this class is for you (with your parents' help and guidance) can develop your own political thought.  

Don't forget to bring in or text me something (news event, current event) related to US Government that we can pray about.  

I'm looking forward to a learning semester!

Here is the video I promised: 

 

Don't forget the homework!

Answer these questions: What form of government is American Government?  We covered these options in class: 

• Republic (Pledge of Allegiance; Legal Definition)
• Democratic Republic (The Democratic Republic of Congo; East Germany; Congress for Kids)
• Representative Democracy (The Dirksen Center; Glencoe -- Constitution Handbook)
• Democracy (Concepts and Fundamental Principles; Law and Democracy.org)

What do you believe to be the form of Government of the USA?  

What was the government designed to be?  

Where is it headed?  

*List your thoughts and make sure you have three items (primary/secondary documents; quotes; quality sources) to support your thoughts.  

We will be closely examining four foundational documents of the United States of America:

• Declaration of Independence; Chronology of Events
• The Articles of Confederation; Milestones related to the Articles
• The Treaty of Paris 1783; Accomplishments
• The Constitution; The Constitution with Explanation 

The University of Oklahoma College of Law offers a great Chronology of US Historical Documents with links.

Students are encouraged to explore the four documents we will be discussing in class.  Students should be working towards comprehension of these documents.  The Constitution will be our outline for examining how the US Government works.

These videos will come in handy:

Principles of the Constitution is a series of videos on YouTube.  We will be using this series as we examine the sections of the Constitution.  Please watch this one on the Preamble and work on memorizing the Preamble.

Please work on memorizing the preamble: 

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

This is gonna be a great semester!  Thanks for your investment and hard work!

AP Connection

Homeschool students are eligible to take AP (Advance Placement) exams in various subjects.  If you are interested in having your child take the AP exam in United States Government and Politics, please check out this page from the Collegeboard.  Students would need to do additional study in United States Government and Politics.  Follow the previous link for outline, resources and additional information from the Collegeboard.

This link is to AP US Government Study Notes with vocabulary and Important Documents.  You can also find the vocabulary here in a printable PDF version.  Learning and knowing this vocabulary will enhance the study we are doing in class, even if you do not plan on taking the AP exam.