Grade 7 : The Age of Reason Part 1

The Age of Reason Part 1

Summarized by Anang P.Setiawan

Date : Tuesday, 24 March 2009

INTRODUCTION
In the 17th and 18th centuries :
The use of reason as the best method to judge human action (problems of politics, religion, arts, education and law)
It was called the Enlightment/Age of Reason.

The Enlightment : Influenced the educated class.
They believed that Absolutism must be replaced by a reasonable and democratic form of government.

Enlightment Thinkers
Many thinkers believed that natural laws should govern man and society.
These laws could be found by scientific methods based on reasoning. John Locke (1632-1704)
He introduced “Social Contract Theory”.
He wrote “ The Two Treaties on Government”
Ideas :
-All men had basic natural rights of life, liberty and prosperity.
-The people set up a government and gave it the power to protect their right.
-Social contract ( Transfer of power from people to the government)
-If he misused the power, the people had right to revolt against him and form a new government. (revolution against tyranny was legal)
-States run by the people.
Many of his ideas were adopted in the American Declaration of Independence.

Montesquieu (1689-1775)
Ideas :
He argued for the separation of powers into the executive, legislatature and the judiciary to avoid tyranny.
His ideas were included in the American Constitution.

Voltaire (1694-1778)

Ideas :
-He attacked the political and social institutions of his time.
-He critized the French government and Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.
-He recognized man’s need for God.
His ideas inspired the French to start the French Revolution.



Rousseau (1712-1778)


Ideas :
-People could be equal under government under government set up by their consent.
-The Monarch’s right to rule was given by the people and not by God.
-Everyone had a responsibility to all others and had individual freedom in a justly organized society.
His “Social Contract” was called the “Bible of the French Revolution”

End of Doc.

Grade 8 : Field Trip to National Monument (MONAS)

Grade 8 : Field Trip to National Monument (MONAS)

By : Anang P.Setiawan

On Friday 13th of March, grade 8 students together with grade 9 students went to MONAS (National Monument) to do their projects. After studying about Dutch Colonization of Indonesia, the 8 graders needed to make an essay for their project about Indonesian History dated from the first time The Dutch came to Indonesia until Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17, 1945 after 350 years of colonial rulings.

MONAS was constructed to commemorate and honor the people's relentless strugle for independence and it is also to awaken a sense of patriotism among the people and future generations.

The students were guided by an official guide. He showed and explained to students about the monument and the story behind it. He said that the architecture and dimensions of the National Monument symbolizes the distinct characteristics of Indonesia. The high rising obelisk signifies the Lingga (pestle) and the soucer-like platform the Yoni (mortar), both are cooking utensils that are commonly found in most Indonesian households. The Lingga and Yoni symbolizes the positive and the negative, male and female, day and night, water and fire, earth and sky, all of which signifies timelessness and immortality.

The guide then took us to the hall of Independence, the place where the proclamation of independece text ( as written and read by Soekarno and Hatta on August 17, 1945) is kept. then he guided us to the top of MONAS called The Flame of Independence. He explained that the top of National Monument is 14 meters tall and 6 meters in diameter. This structure is made og 14.5 tons of bronze and comprises of 77 seperate elements. The entire of the structure is covered with approximately 50 kg of gold sheets. The students enjoyed the view of Jakarta from the top of MONAS. the weather was little bit cool as raining was pouring at that time.

Some students actually still needed time to gather information for their essay but they had no time as we had to leave from MONAS at 2.30 the latest to avoid the traffic jam that always happen in Jakarta. They may get the information from other sources for their essay such as intenet, magazine, articles, encyclopedia, etc. We left MONAS at 2.30pm.

Note : Please submit your essay project the latest is on Friday 27 March 2009.

End of Doc

Grade 7 : Field Trip to National Museum

Grade 7 : Field Trip to National Museum on 12 March 2009

By Anang P.Setiawan

On Thursday, 12 March 2009 the 7 graders went to National Museum, Jakarta to do a field trip. This activity was a part of Social Studies project in History of Indonesia, especially about Pre-historic Era. We left our school at 9.30am and arrived at Museum around 11.30am. After having lunch, the students started to do the project. The students were asked to do some activities, such as doing observation, collecting data, interviewing, answering questions on the project booklet and making an essay based on the data they have gathered from museum.

The students were divided into 3 groups and each group was guided by an official tourist guide. The students listened attentively to the guide and asked many questions about the museum. They were very interested on the items displayed in the museum. It's interesting for them to be able to see the artifacts from the past and learned something from them.

The students finished the activity at 1.45 pm. We left the museum at 2pm. In a bus, on the way back to school they were very tired but felt happy and satisfied with their tasks. We arrived at school at 3pm. It was an exciting and educational trip.

Note : The duedate for submitting the booklet project and essay is extended till 27 March 2009.

Please do not be late to submit your task.

End of Doc.

Grade 7B : The deadline to submit the brochure project

Dear grade 7B students,

Please be noted that the latest day for submitting your brochure is on Tuesday, 10 March 2009.

Rgrds,
Anang P.Setiawan