The Bill of Rights

Today we finished making our Branches of Government poster and presented the parts to the class.  Here is a diagram to help you remember:

In the afternoon we read about the Bill of Rights.  These were the first ten amendments made to the US Constitution.  They guarantee certain freedoms to US citizens such as freedom of speech and religion and the right to a fair trial.  Some people were surprised that Americans also have the right to bear arms.  When we ranked them in order from most to least important, some put that one near the top and others put it on the bottom.

You can read the Bill of Rights here (in simplified language).

 

Please remember that Friday (the last day) is a half day because of Parent Teacher Conferences.  Please discuss with your parents your plans for that afternoon and tell me by Wednesday.

 

Homework

1.  Read for at least 30 minutes every day and record in your log.
2.  Write ten new words in sentences.  These words will be chosen from the ones we learned in class.  Also, write 5 new words from your own reading and their definitions.  Due Friday.
3.  Practice the spelling words (below).
4.  Use Khan Academy for a total of an hour over the week.
5.  Challenge: Find an interesting news article to share with the class on Friday.  It can be from a newspaper or from an online news site.  Make sure you understand what it means and write a brief paragraph about why you found it interesting.

 

Spelling List 1

change

scheme             schedule

smash               shambles

Thursday          thousand

ghastly              ghetto

cough                 tough

though               themselves

whopper            whimper

alter          security          abolish           despot          neglect

 

Spelling List 2

transmit          transmission          permit          permission

collide              collision                    conclude     conclusion

persuade         persuasion

despotic     transient     altering     relinquish     security

neglected     imposition     abolition     tyrannical     amendment

 

New Vocabulary

The Thirteen Colonies wanted Britain to abolish the despotic laws and taxes they had imposed.  They said that Britain had neglected the security of the colonies and that they should relinquish their rule.

Don’t bother altering the sandcastle; it’s transient anyway.