March Leadership Academy (all classes)

This month we will be spending the day at the State Legislature having a tour of the capital building and observing the session.

Please come to class dressed in your Sunday best.

Please do the following to prepare for our trip:

Field Trip Inspirements:

• Watch this little video. "I'm Just a Bill"

• This website is the government website for the Utah legislature. Visit the web site and answer the following questions: (Spend at least 30 minutes on the website exploring.)

                    1. Who are my representatives? (see legislators section)
                    2. What bills might be discussed during our visit? (see Bills section)
                    3. Pick one section in the legislative guide tab that looks interesting to you and

                        read it.

• Think about and journal for 10 minutes on the following questions:

                   - How does the government impact your life?
                   - How do you know if a bill is a good bill or not?
                   - What part will you play in shaping the future government of our state and
                           country?
                   - What can you do to be involved now?

BONUS: (not required) Read the Utah state constitution.

February Apprentice Class

APPRENTICE:

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 3: Commitment

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 9: Persist – Persevering with faith until the end

3 – Read: Ephesians 6:18

4 – Read this article: “The Blessings of Perseverance” by Elder Claudio D. Zivic.  Find principles as you read.  Choose 2 of the principles that you found in the article.  Re write them in the "if...then..." format.  Make a list of 3 actions for each principle that you could take to more fully live that principle.

5 – Do a Hero Study and be prepared to tell us how your hero showed perseverance.

6 – Start reading the book: “Soul Surfer”.  You can take all month reading it.  We will be discussing it during our March Leadership Class

Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO DO:

• Watch the movie “A Man Called Peter” (1955).   (You can find it on Netflix or rent it for $2.99 on Amazon Prime) As you are watching, make a list of the setbacks that Peter encountered and what he did to overcome them.  Was it easy for him to do what he did?  Would you have persevered through all that he did to reach your goal?  Write a paragraph when the movie is over about how the Peter Marshall inspired you and what you are going to do in your own life to over come obstacles and persevere.

• Prepare a 5 minute hero presentation. Have fun with it! After researching your hero and taking notes, find some fun ways to present your hero to us! Here are some ideas:

              - Show pictures of your hero and some of the things he or she did to make the
                world a better place
              - Perform part of a speech your hero gave, or play part of a musical composition
                he or she wrote
              - Show us a short video clip about your hero
              - Create a skit that portrays your hero’s characteristics and what he or she
                 accomplished
              - Write a poem about your hero
              - A short game to help you teach the class interesting things about your hero
              - Be sure to include what characteristics you admire about your hero, and your
                 plan to develop one of those characteristics.

• After reading the article by Elder Claudio D. Zivic, find a quiet place to ponder and write or type. Spend 30 minutes or more writing the main points of the article, and what you should do to learn to live what you learned. Bring your writing to class, or find another way to teach what you learned to the class.

• Create a collection or collage of quotes and scriptures about perseverance. Feel free to illustrate your collection if you’d like. Record how it could affect your life in different areas (academically, family, spiritually, etc) as you choose to persevere.  Bring it to to class to share.

• Write a poem or song about perseverance and what it means to you that you can share with the class.

 Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges. Paul Harvey, the famous news analyst and author, once said: “Someday I hope to enjoy enough of what the world calls success so that someone will ask me, ‘What’s the secret of it?’ I shall say simply this: ‘I get up when I fall down.’”  

(from the talk "Perseverance" by James E. Faust April 2005) 

Is perseverance really that easy?  In the book “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”, on page 20, he says “When it comes to commitment, there are four types of people.”  Read through the four types and decide which one you are.  Be honest with yourself.  Journal for 20 minutes about the type of person you are and whether that is how you want to be or if there are things you would like to change in your life and how you can work towards that change.

February Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” 

- Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – If you didn't last fall, see if you can memorize the Preamble to the US Constitution. This “School House Rock” song makes it easy. The song left out one phrase.  Tell us what it is.

2 – Read the Constitution of the United States of America.  You can find it online here, or here.  There is a plain text version that you can print here.  Once you are finished reading it, go here and test your knowledge.  If you don't know the answers to some of the questions, go back and find them out.

3 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  Chapter 11.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.

4 – As you are reading the Constitution, make a list of the words you don't know the meanings of.  Make a list of at least 20 words and write a short definition of each one.  Choose one of the words from your list and do a word study on it.

5 – Try to understand the Constitution as best you can.  You never know when that information may come in handy.  ;)



Know/Understand

Choose 3 of the following to think about and journal on for 15 minutes each:

- Why do you think God cares about governments?

- Because freedom of religion was placed first in the Bill of Rights, this would indicate that religious freedom was of greatest importance to the Founding Fathers and the people.  Why was freedom of religion so important to the people back then and why is it important to us now?

- What can a US citizen today do to make his opinions known to the local and national government?

- George Mason, one of our Founding Fathers, said that the best way for any government to enslave its people is to disarm them.  Why does he compare disarmament to enslavement?

- Look up synonyms for “enslave” and determine if you can find similarities between enslavement and not being able to defend oneself.

- There are some people who believe that we have no need for privacy if we are doing nothing wrong.  Do you believe this is true?  Why or why not?

- If a person is guilty of committing a crime, why should he still have the right to be heard, treated fairly and receive justice?

- US citizens have the ability to prevent power-hungry individuals from usurping our rights.  Three ways to do so include voting on Election Day, expressing your opinions to your local representatives, and staying informed.  Describe how each of these three actions can prevent our rights from being usurped.

- Should government compel – or force – a person to do what is right?  Why or why not?

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

“Like other early settlers of America, many of the Founders governed their lives according to the 'Good Book'.  Its pages gave them their basic education, their spirituality, and their common reason.  Bible study guided their everyday actions and provided instruction and practical application in such matters as their use of time and the conduct of their relationships.”

(from “Promises of the Constitution vignette 1.2)

How does the Bible influence your life?  How often do you read it?  Should/could you be reading it more often?  Evaluate your use of the Bible in your every day life and set a goal to read and think about it more often.

Constitution Quiz

Question #1:
In which of its seven articles does the Constitution create Congress?

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Article 7

Question #2:
The Constitution says that Congress shall consist of which two groups?

Supreme Court and White House 

House of Representatives and Senate

House of Representatives and Supreme Court 

Senate and Supreme Court 

Question #3:
How old do you have to be to serve in the House of Representatives?

50

25

40

35

Question #4:
How many years older do you have to be to serve in the Senate?

3

5

10

15

Question #5:
There are 435 members of the House of Representatives. On what basis is the number of members of the House of Representatives divided among the states?

Taxation

Amount of land

Population

Date the state entered the United States

Question #6:
There are 100 members of the Senate. Each state gets the same number of Senators. What is that number?

4

5

1

2

Question #7:
There are 27 Amendments to the Constitution. Which Amendment set the voting age to 18 years of age or older?

Amendment 19 

Amendment 26

Amendment 15

Amendment 24

Question #8:
Who must sign a bill passed by Congress before it becomes a law?

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 

Secretary of State 

Attorney General 

President

Question #9:
If a bill is not signed by the person mentioned in question 8, Congress can still make it a law by a vote of how many members?

Three-fourths of the House and three-fourths of the Senate 

Three-fourths of the House and two-thirds of the Senate 

Two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate

Three-fifths of the House and three-fifths of the Senate 

Question #10:
Each of the three branches of the federal government has distinctive duties. This term describes the duties of Congress.

Legislative

Executive

Judicial

Administrative

Question #11:
This Amendment to the Constitution altered the method of electing Senators

16th

17th

18th

19th

Question #12:
True or False. The Vice President is President of the Senate and has full voting privileges.

True

False

Question #13:
True or False. The Constitution does not specify that the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be a member of the House

True

False

Question #14:
Which of the following is NOT a specified power of Congress?

Establishing a uniform rule of naturalization 

Regulating foreign commerce 

Punishing piracy on the high seas 

All of the above 

None of the above

Question #15:
Which Article in the Constitution uses the term “Electoral College” when referring to the process of electing the President?

Article 1 

Article 2

Article 4

None of the above

Question #16:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 failed to prohibit states from implementing which of the following provisions:

Literacy Tests 

Interpreting the Constitution 

Poll Taxes

None of the above

Question #17:
Members of Congress are privileged from arrest during congressional sessions and “in going to and returning from the same” except for cases of:

Treason

Felony

Breach of the peace

a and b only 

a, b, and c

Question #18:
Which of the following was not specifically mentioned in Section 8 of Article 1 of the Constitution:

Post offices and post roads 

Letters of marque and reprisal 

Standard of weights and measures 

Penitentiaries

Counterfeiting

Question #19:
Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the right to exercise “exclusive legislation … over such District” that might become the seat of government and over areas purchased for what purposes?

Forts

Dockyards

Arsenals

All of the above

None of the above

Question #20:
The Constitution prohibited Congress from doing all of the following, EXCEPT:

Passing bills of attainder 

Passing ex post facto laws 

Suspending writ of habeas corpus

Taxing exports 

February Master Class

MASTER:

Study/Learn

1 – Read “The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller



Know/Understand

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Write a diary entry from the perspective of Helen, Anne, or Helen's parents that discusses their feelings about Anne's arrival as Helen's teacher. Write about how Anne's first day on the job went. Write from the perspective of your chosen character and to write how he or she felt about Anne's first day and how they may want things to change in the future.

• Research services available for blind and/or deaf people. Find out about special technology, schools, libraries, and employment opportunities that were inspired by Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Prepare a brief report and share their findings with the class.

• Write a letter to Helen Keller that's at least a page long. Tell her how important she is in today’s world.

• Helen Keller is known for her inspiring quotes.  Find 10 quotes of hers that you like.  Turn your favorite quote into a work of art and display it in your room.  Bring it to class to show us first, though.  :)

• Come to class prepared to act out a scene from Helen's life.  

Become/Serve
(If you are doing more than 1 level of class this week, just choose ONE Become/serve for the whole week.)

Helen Keller said:

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.” 

Ponder on this thought and then journal about how you can more fully live this principle in your life.

January Apprentice Class

January Apprentice Class

Study/Learn

1 - Read: “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” Chapter 6: Courage

2 - Read: “The Young Traveler's Gift” Chapter 5: I am a person of action

3 – Read: Psalm 31:24

4 - Do a Hero Study.  Instructions found in the tool box.

5 - Read the article "Be Strong and of a Good Courage" by Pres. Thomas S. Monson.  Mark quotes you like and try to find principles.

6 - Read: “Call it Courage” by Armstrong Sperry
Chapters 1-2.


Know/Understand
(Choose 1 of the following)

- There are many quotes in the chapter from "21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader”.  Choose one of them that you really like.  Do you agree or disagree with this quote?  Write a paragraph about why you like this quote so much and why you agree or disagree with it.  Write about how this quote can motivate you in your life and make you a better person.  Decide on 3 things you can do to better live what is taught in the quote and write them down.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- In our scripture (Psalm 31:24) it talks about hope.  What does hope have to do with courage?  Do a word study on "hope" if that will help you.  Write a paragraph on what hope means to you and how it can help you have more courage.

 - Choose 2 of the principles that you found in the article by Pres. Monson.  Re write them in the "if...then..." format.  Make a list of 3 actions for each principle that you could take to more fully live that principle.  For example: A principle could be in Helaman 3:27 we read: "Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name."  So we can rewrite the principle to be "If I call upon God's name with sincerity of heart, the Lord will be merciful to me."  The three things that I can do to better "call upon God's name" will be 1) make a habit of saying morning and evening personal prayers, 2) encourage my family to have family prayer each day, 3) really think about my prayers as I'm saying them and truly talk to God, not just rattle off the same things I say every time.  Be prepared to share with the class.

- Write a poem about courage and what it means to you that you can share with the class.

- Draw or paint a picture of someone from history or from the scriptures in the act of showing great courage.  Come prepared to share with the class why you chose that person and show us what you painted or drew.


Become/Serve

In the article we read by Pres. Monson, we read:

"Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular."

Think of a time in your life when you have done a "quiet act of courage" like one of the things Pres. Monson listed above.  Think about what made you brave.  What was at stake and why did you choose to have courage?  What was the result?  Write about this experience in your journal.

January Journeyman Class

January Journeyman Class

“What is the answer to the dilemma that surrounds us?  The answer is to love our Founders, our country, our founding document, and the God that gave them to us.  We must teach that love to our children, pray for our leaders and plead for help.  The answer is to get involved.” 

- Pam Openshaw, author of “Promises of the Constitution”

Study/Learn

1 – Read: “Promises of the Constitution.”  Chapters 8 & 10.  Write one or more sentences at the end of each mini chapter that summarizes the main point.  Find one or more principles in each of the chapters.  Rewrite it in the "if, then" format and come to class prepared to share it.  You can look here for information on finding principles.

2 - Read "The Divinely Inspired Constitution" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.    Print out the article, and as you read mark principles of your personal responsibilities to the Constitution.


Know/Understand

Choose 1 of the following:

• In chapter 10.3 of "Promises of the Constitution" we read about the way the Electoral College was set up by the Founders.  Imagine that you have been chosen as an elector and must select two people to nominate for president of the United States.  Write at least 1 paragraph explaining at least three characteristics you are looking for in a good president.  Why are these characteristics important to you?  

• In chapter 10.8 we read about the steps that have to be taken to amend (change, alter or add to) the Constitution.  Change can be good - but what happens is there is too much change? Describe what your life would be like if you moved to a new house every month, or if you got new parents every year, or if the days of the week changed around frequently.  Choose one of these situation, or come up with one of your own, and explain in at least 1 paragraph the negative effects of this change.  How uncertain would life be with these unnecessary changes? How does this apply to changes made to the Constitution?  Is the Constitution strengthened or weakened when tampered with too much?

• In order to expect the leaders of our nation to be responsible in their spending, we as citizens, must also be responsible with our personal spending.  Prepare a FHE for your family on responsible money management.  You can find quite a few resources at LDS.org if you search for "money management".  You can also use any other resourced you find.  Be prepared to teach the class a short FHE on what you presented to your family.

Become/Serve

In the article by Elder Oaks, we read a quote by Adlai Stevenson:

“What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? … A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”

Look through quotes about our country's Constitution and find one that you love, that inspires patriotism in you.  Print it on a paper, decorate it and make it pleasing to look at.  Post it in your room where you will see it often to remind you what an amazing, God-inspired country we have.