There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gardual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation.
James Madison (1751-1836)
Government has no right to control individual liberty, beyond what is necessary to safety and well-being of society.
South Carolina statesman, John C. Calhoun (1782-1850)
Isn't this true today? Our governement is slowly (or maybe quickly) taking away our freedoms. They dictate the way we live, how fast we drive, how we raise our children. The list goes on.
In this day and age it is so important that we teach our children what freedom is. And, if you don't understand (or believe) that we are losing our freedoms daily, then study what true freedom is. Study the 17th century and the founding of America. Read The Story of Liberty, by Charles Coffin.
Kerry
Homeschool Curriculum
Monday, July 04, 2005
United States History Crosswords
I just found this cool website of crossword puzzles. They don't look too hard and would be something fun for kids (or families) to do this summer. Just print out the ones you like.
http://www.polytechnic.org/faculty/gfeldmeth/quizzes.html
Kerry
Teaching History
http://www.polytechnic.org/faculty/gfeldmeth/quizzes.html
Kerry
Teaching History
Litany for Independence Day
Peter Leithart has written some of my favorite literature guides. He is also the pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Moscow, Idaho. Here is his litany for today. . . for your "thinking" pleasure!
God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth: have mercy upon us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy upon us. God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful: have mercy upon us.
You are the God of all nations, and we confess that You, Father, Son and Spirit, rule and judge our nation. We confess today our sins as Americans, and plead with you to deliver us in Your mercy from all our sins and from Your wrath and judgment.
From all national pride and insolence: Good Lord, deliver us.
From lies and from liars in politics and the media: Good Lord, deliver us.
From adultery and sexual perversions, from violence and fear: Good Lord, deliver us.
From the slaughter of unborn babies and the neglect of the old and dying: Good Lord, deliver us.
From trust in the accuracy of our bombs and the power of our weapons: Good Lord, deliver us.
From our ingratitude for Your mercy, and from our refusal to give honor to whom honor is due: Good Lord, deliver us.
From oppression and neglect of the poor, orphans and widows: Good Lord, deliver us.
From our greed and idolatry of wealth, and from theft and fraud, private and official: Good Lord, deliver us.
From unjust laws and unrighteous judges, from corrupt legislators and inequitable enforcement: Good Lord, deliver us.
From lukewarm worship and ignorance of Your Word, from divisions in the body of Christ, from grieving the Spirit: Good Lord, deliver us.
Be merciful to us and to our nation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and raised that He might reign over all things through the Spirit to the glory of the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
from http://leithart.com/
Kerry
Literature Study Guide
God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth: have mercy upon us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy upon us. God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful: have mercy upon us.
You are the God of all nations, and we confess that You, Father, Son and Spirit, rule and judge our nation. We confess today our sins as Americans, and plead with you to deliver us in Your mercy from all our sins and from Your wrath and judgment.
From all national pride and insolence: Good Lord, deliver us.
From lies and from liars in politics and the media: Good Lord, deliver us.
From adultery and sexual perversions, from violence and fear: Good Lord, deliver us.
From the slaughter of unborn babies and the neglect of the old and dying: Good Lord, deliver us.
From trust in the accuracy of our bombs and the power of our weapons: Good Lord, deliver us.
From our ingratitude for Your mercy, and from our refusal to give honor to whom honor is due: Good Lord, deliver us.
From oppression and neglect of the poor, orphans and widows: Good Lord, deliver us.
From our greed and idolatry of wealth, and from theft and fraud, private and official: Good Lord, deliver us.
From unjust laws and unrighteous judges, from corrupt legislators and inequitable enforcement: Good Lord, deliver us.
From lukewarm worship and ignorance of Your Word, from divisions in the body of Christ, from grieving the Spirit: Good Lord, deliver us.
Be merciful to us and to our nation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and raised that He might reign over all things through the Spirit to the glory of the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
from http://leithart.com/
Kerry
Literature Study Guide
Statue of Liberty
Celebrating our freedom today reminds me of the statue of liberty. Here is the inscription below the statue.
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)
Engraved on tablet attched to pedestal of the Statue of Liberty
Kerry
Homeschool Curriculum
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)
Engraved on tablet attched to pedestal of the Statue of Liberty
Kerry
Homeschool Curriculum
Text of Declaration
Since we are on the road, I don't have all my books at my fingertips. I was just sent this link and want to post it for anyone else. It has the text for the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact and US Constitution.
We've read these before, but it will be nice to have a place to find them when we are away from home.
http://www.pocketdeclaration.org/
I just printed the Declaration so we can read it today
Kerry
Teaching History
We've read these before, but it will be nice to have a place to find them when we are away from home.
http://www.pocketdeclaration.org/
I just printed the Declaration so we can read it today
Kerry
Teaching History
America's National Book
Speaking of the Declaration of Independence, did you know it was considered one of America's national books?
In his book, A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver DeMille argues that America no longer has a national book. In past years, the Bible and Declaration of Independence were considered national books for Americans. From the founding of America through World War 2, these two books guided Americans.
During the 1960’s young people quit referring to these documents for guidance. There were no absolutes and no foundation of truth for this new generation. America cannot remain free, prosperous and moral unless we return to the truths and absolutes found in the Bible. As parents, we must teach, educate, train and civilize our children. Once our kids have a core foundation of truth, they can learn how to be leaders for the future.
Why not read part of the Declaration today as you celebrate America's independence?
Kerry
Leadership Education
In his book, A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver DeMille argues that America no longer has a national book. In past years, the Bible and Declaration of Independence were considered national books for Americans. From the founding of America through World War 2, these two books guided Americans.
During the 1960’s young people quit referring to these documents for guidance. There were no absolutes and no foundation of truth for this new generation. America cannot remain free, prosperous and moral unless we return to the truths and absolutes found in the Bible. As parents, we must teach, educate, train and civilize our children. Once our kids have a core foundation of truth, they can learn how to be leaders for the future.
Why not read part of the Declaration today as you celebrate America's independence?
Kerry
Leadership Education
Declaration of Independence
We, therefore the representatives of the United States of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
From the Declaration of Independence, composed in 1775 by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benajmin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston
I was very surprised to see how the book I was using cited this portion of the Declaration of Independence. Usually the Declaration is attributed entirely to Thomas Jefferson. Although he began a rough draft, the Declaration of Independence was written by several men.
Kerry
From the Declaration of Independence, composed in 1775 by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benajmin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston
I was very surprised to see how the book I was using cited this portion of the Declaration of Independence. Usually the Declaration is attributed entirely to Thomas Jefferson. Although he began a rough draft, the Declaration of Independence was written by several men.
Kerry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)