All posts by bsnyder13

Lesson 5

Ancient Egypt

A long time ago, Ancient Egypt was one of the first big groups of people in the world. It started next to the Nile River in Africa more than 5,000 years ago. The Nile gave water, good dirt for plants, and a way to go places in boats and trade things. Every year the river got bigger and spilled water on the land, making it good for growing food like wheat and barley. This helped Egypt become strong and wealthy.

The people of Egypt are famous for making big triangular buildings called pyramids. The biggest one is the Great Pyramid of Giza. These were built for kings called pharaohs to be buried in. The people thought there was life after death, so they made pyramids to keep the king’s body and treasure safe. They used a process called mummification, which is a special way of preserving bodies and keeping them from rotting.

Egypt had groups of people with different jobs. At the top was the pharaoh, who was the king and also thought to be a god. Below him were priests, rich people, soldiers, and writers called scribes. Farmers and workers were at the bottom. Scribes were important because they could read and write with pictures called hieroglyphics. They wrote laws, stories, and kept lists.

Religion was very important in Egypt. They believed in many gods, for example Ra, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the next life. They made big temples for the gods and gave gifts to make them happy. Ancient Egypt lasted for thousands of years and shared its ideas with other places. Their writing, buildings, and beliefs still make people interested today.

Lesson 5

Ancient Egypt

A long time ago, Ancient Egypt was one of the first big groups of people in the world. It started next to the Nile River in Africa more than 5,000 years ago. The Nile gave water, good dirt for plants, and a way to go places in boats and trade things. Every year the river got bigger and spilled water on the land, making it good for growing food like wheat and barley. This helped Egypt become strong and wealthy.

The people of Egypt are famous for making big triangular buildings called pyramids. The biggest one is the Great Pyramid of Giza. These were built for kings called pharaohs to be buried in. The people thought there was life after death, so they made pyramids to keep the king’s body and treasure safe. They used a process called mummification, which is a special way of preserving bodies and keeping them from rotting.

Egypt had groups of people with different jobs. At the top was the pharaoh, who was the king and also thought to be a god. Below him were priests, rich people, soldiers, and writers called scribes. Farmers and workers were at the bottom. Scribes were important because they could read and write with pictures called hieroglyphics. They wrote laws, stories, and kept lists.

Religion was very important in Egypt. They believed in many gods, for example Ra, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the next life. They made big temples for the gods and gave gifts to make them happy. Ancient Egypt lasted for thousands of years and shared its ideas with other places. Their writing, buildings, and beliefs still make people interested today.

Lesson 5

Ancient Egypt

A long time ago, Ancient Egypt was one of the first big groups of people in the world. It started next to the Nile River in Africa more than 5,000 years ago. The Nile gave water, good dirt for plants, and a way to go places in boats and trade things. Every year the river got bigger and spilled water on the land, making it good for growing food like wheat and barley. This helped Egypt become strong and wealthy.

The people of Egypt are famous for making big triangular buildings called pyramids. The biggest one is the Great Pyramid of Giza. These were built for kings called pharaohs to be buried in. The people thought there was life after death, so they made pyramids to keep the king’s body and treasure safe. They used a process called mummification, which is a special way of preserving bodies and keeping them from rotting.

Egypt had groups of people with different jobs. At the top was the pharaoh, who was the king and also thought to be a god. Below him were priests, rich people, soldiers, and writers called scribes. Farmers and workers were at the bottom. Scribes were important because they could read and write with pictures called hieroglyphics. They wrote laws, stories, and kept lists.

Religion was very important in Egypt. They believed in many gods, for example Ra, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the next life. They made big temples for the gods and gave gifts to make them happy. Ancient Egypt lasted for thousands of years and shared its ideas with other places. Their writing, buildings, and beliefs still make people interested today.

Lesson 180 Essay

Importance Of Studying Ancient Rome

Studying Ancient Rome is important because it helps us understand how the world we live in was shaped. Rome was one of the biggest and most powerful empires in history. The Romans built strong armies, made laws, and created large cities. By learning about Ancient Rome, we can see how people in the past solved problems, ruled their lands, and built great architecture. This helps us learn from their successes and mistakes.

Roman culture still affects us in many ways today. For example, many languages, like English, use words from Latin, the language the Romans spoke. Roman law and government ideas helped shape the way many modern countries make rules and vote for leaders. Even buildings today often copy Roman designs, like arches and columns. Roman ideas about roads, cities, and water systems are still used in some places.

We also see Roman influence in art, stories, and sports. The Romans loved theater, music, and painting, just like we do. Their myths and heroes still show up in movies and books. The idea of public sports, like the gladiator games in the Colosseum, is similar to how we gather to watch sports in big stadiums. Learning about Ancient Rome shows us how much we still use their ideas and reminds us how powerful the past can be in shaping the future.

Lesson 175 Essay

My Favorite Time Period This School Year

Christmas break this year was fun and relaxing. School was out, and I could wake up early and play video games. I mostly spent time playing with my friends and hanging out in my room playing Minecraft or Fortnite.

It was cold outside so I needed a jacket. Since all the snakes were gone, me and my friends went into the woods. We explored a neighborhood that was being built and I even had a sleepover at one of my friends’ house.

When I was not out with my friends I spent time with my four siblings, mostly my brother and 9 year old sister. We played games, watched shows and ate dinner. The best thing about Christmas break was Christmas itself, I enjoyed the presents and my new desk for my room. That was my favorite time period this school year.

Lesson 175

What I learned in 6th Grade English

This year in the Ron Paul Curriculum 6th grade English class, I learned a lot of valuable skills that helped me become a better reader, writer, and thinker. One of the most important things I learned was how to write clearly and effectively. The course taught me how to organize my thoughts, create strong paragraphs, and use proper grammar and punctuation. These writing skills were really helpful not just in English, but also in other subjects like science and history where I had to write essays and answer questions in complete sentences.

I also learned how to analyze stories and understand what authors are trying to say. We read a variety of books and short stories, and I learned to look at characters, settings, plots, and themes. It helped me think more deeply about what I read and gave me new ways to enjoy literature. I now ask myself questions like: “Why did the character do that?” or “What message is the author trying to share?” This made reading more fun and interesting.

Another big part of the course was vocabulary and spelling. Each week, I practiced new words and learned how to use them in sentences. My spelling has improved a lot, and I now understand the meanings of many more words than I did at the beginning of the year. This has helped me write better sentences and also improved my reading comprehension.

What I really liked about the Ron Paul Curriculum was that it let me work at my own pace. The video lessons were clear, and I could go back and rewatch anything I didn’t understand the first time. The assignments helped me practice what I learned right away. I also liked that the course focused on being independent and responsible for my own learning.

In conclusion, the 6th grade English course from the Ron Paul Curriculum was very helpful to me this year. It improved my writing, reading, and vocabulary skills. It also gave me more confidence in expressing my thoughts and understanding literature. I feel more prepared for future grades, and I’m proud of what I accomplished this year.

Lesson 170 Essay

The Fall and Decline Of Ancient Rome

The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in history. It started in 27 BCE and lasted for many centuries. At its strongest, the Roman Empire covered large parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The Romans were great builders, made strong roads, and had a strong army. They also had a good system of laws and government. For a long time, Rome was very successful and brought peace and order to many lands. But over time, the empire began to face many problems that made it weaker.

One major problem was that the empire became too big. It was hard to control such a large area. There were not enough soldiers to protect the borders. Many enemies from outside, like the Huns and Germanic tribes, began to attack Roman lands. Inside the empire, there were also big problems. Many leaders were not good or honest. There were civil wars where Romans fought each other to become emperor. This made the empire even weaker. Also, taxes became very high, and many people became poor. Trade slowed down, and the economy got worse. People started to lose faith in the government.

In 476 CE, the Western Roman Empire finally fell when a Germanic leader took over Rome. This is often seen as the end of Ancient Rome. The Eastern part of the empire, called the Byzantine Empire, stayed strong for many more years. The fall of the Roman Empire happened slowly, over many years, not all at once. It was caused by many things, like bad leaders, too many enemies, and economic problems. Even though the empire ended, Rome’s ideas did not disappear. Roman law, language, and building styles still affect the world today. The story of Rome’s fall is a good lesson about what can happen when a powerful country has too many problems and does not fix them in time.

Lesson 165 Essay

The Four Church Fathers


Athanasius was a strong Christian leader in the early church, born around 296 AD in Egypt. He is best known for standing up against the heresy of Arianism, which said Jesus was not truly God. Athanasius defended the belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man. He was exiled multiple times for his beliefs but stayed faithful. He wrote many important works, like “On the Incarnation”, which explained how Jesus came to save humanity. Athanasius also helped form the New Testament by listing the 27 books Christians use today. He is remembered as a defender of the true Christian faith.


Ambrose was the bishop of Milan in the 4th century. He was not a priest when chosen as bishop, but the people loved him and saw him as a good leader. Ambrose was known for his powerful preaching and helped shape Christian worship, especially through music and hymns. He stood up to emperors when he believed they were wrong, showing that the church had authority too. Ambrose also helped convert Augustine, who became one of the most important Christian thinkers. His writings explain Christian doctrine clearly and helped the early church grow stronger in its beliefs and moral teachings.


Jerome was a Christian scholar and translator who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries. He is most famous for translating the Bible into Latin. This version, called the Vulgate, became the main Bible used in the Western church for centuries. Jerome was very intelligent and knew Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He wanted people to read the Bible in a language they could understand. Though sometimes harsh in his writings, Jerome cared deeply about truth and learning. He also wrote many letters and commentaries on Scripture. His work helped Christians study the Bible more closely and accurately for many generations.


Augustine was one of the most important Christian thinkers. He was born in North Africa in 354 AD and lived a wild life before becoming a Christian. His mother, Monica, prayed for him constantly. He converted after hearing a Bible verse and later became bishop of Hippo. Augustine wrote many books, like Confessions and City of God. He taught about grace, sin, and salvation. Augustine believed people need God’s help to be good. His ideas shaped much of Western Christianity and are still studied today. Augustine showed how faith and reason can work together in understanding God and life.

Lesson 140-170 Research Paper

Axolotls

Axolotls are some of the most unusual animals in the world. These amphibians are known for their ability to stay in their youthful, underwater form forever. Instead of growing lungs and living on land like other salamanders, axolotls keep their feathery gills and remain in water. Native to Mexico, they once thrived in places like Lake Xochimilco. However, their numbers are now shrinking because of pollution, city growth, and invasive species. In this paper, we will explore what makes axolotls special, including their amazing ability to regrow body parts, their different colors, their eating habits.

One of the most amazing things about axolotls is their power to regrow body parts. Humans can heal cuts with scars, but axolotls can regrow full arms, legs, their tail, and even parts of their heart and brain. Scientists study axolotls to learn how regeneration works. They hope this could help people one day. If doctors understand how axolotls heal without scarring, they might find new ways to treat injuries and diseases in humans. This makes axolotls very important for medical research.

Axolotls are also interesting because they come in many different colors. Their natural color, called wild-type, is dark brown and green. In captivity, they can be pink, gold, black, copper, or even lavender. These colors happen because of selective breeding. Their unusual look and wide, permanent smiles make them very popular pets. Axolotls are even stranger because they do not have eyelids, so they cannot blink. This gives them a special, almost magical appearance that many people love.

Axolotls are meat-eaters, or carnivores. They eat by sucking food into their mouths instead of biting. In the wild, they eat small fish, worms, insects, and tiny crustaceans. When kept as pets, they need a healthy diet to stay strong. With good care, axolotls can live for 10 to 15 years in captivity. In the wild, their life is shorter because of predators and dirty water. Their skin and gills are very sensitive, so they need clean, cool water to survive and stay healthy.

Axolotls are not just important to science. They are also loved as pets and studied by researchers. Many people keep axolotls in big tanks with hiding places to make them feel safe. Because they are endangered, it is important to protect them in the wild. Scientists and conservationists are working hard to save their homes and stop them from disappearing. Axolotls continue to amaze people with their strength, beauty, and unusual biology.

In conclusion, axolotls are extraordinary animals with many special traits. They stay young forever, regrow body parts, and come in beautiful colors. They are important for scientific research, make fun pets, and need our help to survive. Whether living in lakes or in aquariums, axolotls are truly one of nature’s wonders. They inspire scientists, pet owners, and nature lovers all over the world.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Natural History Museum

Youtube: 11 facts you need to know about axolotls, Channel name: Natural Animal Wonders

National Geographic

San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants

MDI Biological Laboratory

Lesson 165

How the Giraffe Got Its Long Neck

Long ago, when all beasts were near the same size, the Giraffe was short, with a neck no longer than a goat’s. One dry day, the grass was gone and the leaves high up in the trees laughed at him. He jumped, he climbed, he cried, but the leaves stayed far. Then came the Wise Wind, who saw his wish and pulled his head gently upward. “You want the high leaves? Then reach!” said the Wind. And oh! How his neck stretched—first a bit, then a lot, and it hurt so good he did not mind. From then on, he could eat where no beast could. But his voice stayed small, for all the stretch went to his neck. And that is how it was.