JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

This week we will continue our investigation of the Bill of Rights, with an emphasis on the 1st Amendment and how people struggled to earn their rights throughout our history. We will spend some time examining the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's as well. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the duties and responsibilities of citizens in the U.S. and how citizens play different roles in their communities.

Street Law: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

his week we will continue examining criminal law. We will examine the issues surrounding the classes of crimes, including the difference between state and federal crimes. We will also discuss the different types of crimes against the person, including the different types of homicide. We will also investigate assault and battery, as well as other crimes against people. Towards the end of the week we will dig deeper into crimes against property.

US History: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

This week we will continue our investigation of the growth and expansion of the young United States. We will discuss the era of economic growth and strong sense of nationalism that existed after the War of 1812. We will continue to examine the continuing issues surrounding the Native populations, including the Trail of Tears, where the Cherokee indians were pushed westward. Towards the end of the week we will begin examing how regional societies would lay the framework for the tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 20-24

This week we will begin our investigation of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments give Americans some of their most basic freedoms and we will spend some time looking at each one in detail. We will discuss each of them and how they affect our lives on a daily basis. We will also investigate how the Bill of Rights did not originally apply to everyone; including women, African American, and Native Americans. We will also investigate how people struggled to earn their civil rights, and how the Constitution has been amended to include them over the years.

Street Law: Feb. 20-24

This week we will begin examining criminal law. We will discuss the different types of crimes that fall under criminal law. We will also investigate crimes against the person, whether it be murder or assault, these crimes affect all of us on a daily basis. Towards the end of the week students will examine crimes against property. We will discuss arson, vandalism, and other types of property crimes.

US History: Feb. 20-24

This week we will continue looking at the young United States, with an emphasis on George Washington's leadership as our first president, as well as the challenges that the new nation faced early on. We will then shift our focus to the period of Western Expansion after the Louisiana Purchase by President Thomas Jefferson, which created massive changes for the United States. We will also discuss the causes and consequences of the War of 1812.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 13-17

This week we will continue our study of the U.S. Constitution. We will discuss its importance and how it affects our lives every single day, even if we may not realize it. We will begin our investigation of the three branches of our government, and what they do. We will view some videos in class that explain the branches, and the concept of checks and balances.