With the start of a new year James has a new unit in his homeschool program. He asked Elizabeth (his Speech Pathologist) and director of his studies if he could learn about the “history of the world”.  She said she would get right on it!  Needless to say that is an ambitious idea so she decided to start with ancient civilizations and for January it will be ancient Egypt. Within the unit she has set goals for language arts and science.  Language Arts this month is focused on developing creative writing skills, including learning how to write a persuasive essay, a comparative essay and an informative essay. Science is about Astronomy since the ancient Egyptians were the first to study the stars. 

We are on day two of the unit and here are James’ completed writing assignments.  The first assignment was to write an Astronomy based myth.

A GIANT ONCE LIVED IN THE MILKY WAY GALAXY. HIS NAME WAS ENERGY. HE MADE THE GODS ANGRY BY ARGUING WITH THEM. HE WAS BLOWN UP AND SCATTERED. THE PLANETS ENERGY COMES FROM HIM.

The second assignment was to write a persuasive essay answering the question, “What form of government works best, monarchy or democracy, and why? (Here is James’ essay, it took about one hour to spell out on his letter board).

A DEMOCRACY IS THE BEST TYPE OF GOVERNMENT.  IT CAN EITHER BE DIRECT OR REPRESENTATIVE. THE U.S. HAS A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY WHICH MEANS CITIZENS VOTE FOR THIER REPRESENTATIVES WHO THEN VOTE ON ISSUES AND LAWS. THIS IS BETTER THAN A MONARCHY, WHICH HAS ONE RULER, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAVE INFLUENCE THROUGH VOTING.  SECONDLY, A DEMOCRACY HAS DIFFERENT SYSTEMS TO ALLOW FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES. THIRDLY, IT HAS SET TERMS AND LIMITED RE-ELECTIONS SO POWER IS NOT ABUSED, WHICH IS A PROBLEM IN MONARCHIES. OVERALL EACH MONARCHY SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A DEMOCRACY.

James added after he completed this essay (his first): I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!