American Government Classics

I love learning about the birth of America, the various changes over time, and the current state of our great nation. This is one of the most important subjects to study from the classics. Textbooks have left out so much of what is true and necessary in the study of our government. One must study the original documents and the original words of the founding fathers in order to gain their own understanding of what government is and should be.

There are a lot of books listed here. For high school "credit", we choose from these lists and study for 100 hours to constitute a high school credit per Missouri law. That is pretty easy to do from this list, however, we continue with this list for Depth Phase.

From TJED for Teens:

• The Declaration of Independence
• The Constitution of the United States
• "The Gettysburg Address" speech by Abraham Lincoln
• "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.
• The Real Thomas Jefferson by Allison, Maxfield, Cook and Skousen
• The Real Benjamin Franklin by Allison
• The Real George Washington by Allison, Parry, and Skousen
• The Making of America by W. Cleon skousen
• Democracy in America Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by Alexis De Tocqueville
• The 5,000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen
• The Law by Bastiat

Others we have added:

• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

Again, I would like to add sections of The Great Books of the Western World. 

• Volume 43 - Articles of Confederation, The Federalist, On Liberty by J. S. Mill
• Volume 2 Syntopicon - Chapter 3 -Aristocracy, Chapter12 - Constitution, Chapter 16 - Democracy, Chapter 31 - Government, Chapter 42 - Justice, Chapter 46 - Law, Chapter 47 - Liberty
• Volume 2 Syntopicon - Chapter 59 - Monarchy, Chapter 62 - Oligarchy, Chapter 63 - One and Many, Chapter 64 - Opinion, Chapter 90 - State, Chapter 95 - Tyranny, Chapter 98 - War and Peace, Chapter 99 - Wealth, Chapter 101 - Wisdom

Transitioning to Depth Phase

I have been feeling a pull from somewhere inside me to do...something. For a few months now I have been trying to figure out just exactly what this inner need is exactly. There has been a lot of change in our lives in the past 18 months...Mike was laid-off, new job in Flagstaff, AZ, then another move to Missouri for a job change...all of which have made life seem a little bit hectic.

I thought maybe I'm feeling unsettled due to all the changes, but I realized the other day that I was feeling unchallenged educationally. I found myself looking at degrees and universities. Oh, I'm reading books like Plato's "The Republic" and Plutarch's "Lives", but I'm still lacking in peers to study with. It dawned on me that what I am lacking the most is a mentor. I couldn't find people in Flagstaff and I'm definitely not finding people here to interact with on the same level.

I decided to return to the trusted "Leadership Education" book to see what I can find to help. I immediately knew when I opened my book and flipped through it that I need to read about Depth Phase again. I realize now that I need to get busy with a solid Depth Phase. I've been messing around, staying safely in Scholar Phase for a few months now. My biggest problem is....drum roll...money!

Depth Phase is about a high quality mentored education. I cannot afford any of the options I've found. When I mentioned getting student loans to go to George Wythe University my husband about had a heart attack! Not because he does not want me to persue my education, but because we are at a point where I need to work. He does not see how I can go to college, work, and educate our children at home without me having serious health issues (not to mention a mental breakdown!)

I agree with my husband...it is just not possible for me at this point to go to college.

My second thought was some of the online mentoring offers, like from Dr. Shannon Brooks, but again the issue is money. I don't have any! *sigh* If you know of any FREE solutions, I would love to hear them.

Southwest TJEd Forum 2010 - Part 2

Julie Early - "Adult Phases of Leadership Education"

I think I learned the most immediately applicable information from Julie Early. She describes the Phases of Learning for Adults as "skill sets". I realized as she spoke that I really have gone through Core and Love of Learning, placing me now where I want to be in Scholar Phase. I had tried to PUSH myself out of Love of Learning and into Scholar a little too early. Now, I look back and realize that was acceptable in some ways, as long as I learned the skills needed in each phase.

Core Phase:

1. Set a spectrum of Truth - usually at the extremes - Right and Wrong, True and False, Good and Bad. Many adults have this, but it is important to go back periodically to make sure our core skills are in place. Should adults go back to core? Of course! Starting off in extremes is normal.
2. Work and Play - Adults learn more from work than play. We should work on relationships and not engage in "selfish play". Self-help books are often a part of this phase. Roles are distinguished and building self-worth through work is important.

Love of Learning - it's about discovery:

Signs that you are in Love of Learning as an Adult:

1.  Bounce around in books.
2. Don't finish all the books you start.
3. "Flitting" from thing to thing (can get expensive).
4. Love of Learners LOVE rules - ("But 'how' do I do it?" - looking for specific how-to steps)

Things to focus on:

1. Structure Time, not Content
2. Keep a Commonplace Book - Notebook with notes on readings, observations in nature, etc. (I keep several actually for rough draft essays on the books I'm reading, personal mission discovery, and daily to do notes.)
3. Groups are more important in this phase. Join a book discussion or mentored class.
4. Focus on Reading, Writing, and Discussing.

Scholar Phase - study deeply:

1. Work is part of their education - think about your studies while you work.
2. Learn through study and discussion.
3. Focus on Principles instead of Plots or Rules.
4. They begin to see the middle ground of grey and stop thinking so much in absolutes.
5. Fill in the holes of your education.
6. Begin to have a sense of mission.

One other KEY that I learned from her speech was this:

Crisis will come and it will shake up our education - that is normal and expected.

Part 1 - Carol Shippy and Dr. Andrew Groft

Part 3 - Dan Ralphs