Winter Break!

Winter Break begins at the end of the day on 12-18-09. Classes resume on 01-04-10. I hope all students have a safe and happy holiday break!! :)

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 14-18

This week we will begin our investigation of a new unit; The Individual, the Law, & the Internet. We will discuss legal rights and responsibilities, types of laws, types of court cases, and finally we will investigate citizenship and the internet and how it applies to civics in the United States.

US History: Dec. 14-18

This week we will continue our investigation of the Cold War and shift to how it affected the United States in the 1960's. We will discuss the presidency of JFK, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the continued build-up of nuclear weapons and the Space Race. Finally, we will begin our investigation of the Vietnam War, and how it transformed the United States. We will also begin to look at the growing counter-culture movements and social reforms of the era.

American Govt./Econ: Dec. 14-18

This week students will finish and present their consumer economics projects and we will discuss the role of government in protecting consumers. We will then shift our focus to our Financial Planning Program. Students will continue to work on their SMART goals and budgeting their money. We will also take a look at the basics of banking. We will investigate the difference between fixed and variable expenses, and continue to discuss needs and wants in the budgeting process.

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 7-11

This week we will continue our investigation of interest groups and the role they play in American politics. We will look at how these groups attract people to their cause. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus to state and local governments. We will compare and contrast the structure of the branches at the different levels of government.

US History: Dec. 7-11

This week we will continue to investigate the impact of WWII on the United States and we will begin to discuss the Cold War that emerged between the United States and the Soviet Union for influence in world affairs. We will discuss the nuclear arms race, anticommunism, and the fear that Americans faced of a possible nuclear attack while experiencing the economic prosperity of the 1950's. We will also investigate groups that we not part of the economic prosperity that began to fight for their civil rights.

American Govt./Econ: Dec. 7-11

This week we will investigate the American Free Enterprise System. We will discuss how this capitalist system creates the most freedom for consumers and producers in a society and gives them the opportunity to make choices with little government intervention. We will break down the advantages and disadvantages of our system and talk about the force that encourages people to play a role in it, PROFIT MOTIVE! We will also touch on how our economic freedoms are aligned with our political freedoms in the United States, as well as discussing public goods and transfer programs.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 30-Dec. 4

This week we will continue to discuss how the media influence how we choose our government officials and how the media plays the role of "watchdog" for the citizens. We will also investigate the problem of bias in the news media and how it can play a role in shaping our opinions about political issues. We will continue to discuss the influence of special interest groups as well.

US History: Nov. 30-Dec. 4

This week we will continue our investigation of World War II. We will discuss some of the turning points of the war, including D-Day, Iwo Jima, and the dropping of the atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that essentially ended the war. We will discuss whether or not the United States should have dropped the bombs on the cities. Finally, we will investigate the lasting impact of WWII on the United States and the rest of the world.

American Govt./Econ: Nov. 30-Dec 4

This week we will continue our investigation of needs and wants, consumers, and money. We will discuss how these play a role in everyday economic decisions that WE make. We will look at the opportunity cost involved in making decisions. We will also discuss how we determine the value of money. We will also begin to discuss how people use credit in our economy.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 23-27

This week we will look at the different people and groups that influence government in the United States. We will discuss how public opinion helps shape the decisions of our government officials and how public opinion is measured by opinion polls. We will investigate the importance of the mass media and how it influences the public opinion and the government. We will also discuss the "watchdog" role that the media can play. Finally, we will discuss interest groups, and how they influence government as well.

US History: Nov. 23-27

This week we will begin our investigation of the impact of American involvement in World War II. We will discuss the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, which was the event that finally brought the United States directly into the war. We will also highlight the new roles for minorities and women during the war years. We will discuss the turning points of WWII, as well as internment camps, and the effect that the war had on the United States economy.

American Govt./Econ: Nov. 23-27

This week we will continue to investigate the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. We will discuss resources, and how their scarcity is a huge factor in the study of economics. We will look at the production and distribution of goods and services and how that relates to the needs and wants of people. We will investigate and discuss consumers, who are the true guiding force of the economy, as well as the role of government in the economy.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 16-20

This week we will begin investigating the voting and election process of the United States. We will discuss how candidates are chosen by their party and eventually elected. We will discuss the importance of advertising and the power of the media in the process as well. We will discuss the Electoral College in detail and describe just how the president of the United States is elected to office.

US History: Nov. 16-20

This week we will continue looking at the Roaring Twenties and the Stock Market Crash that followed. We will discuss how President Hoover dealt with the Great Depression vs. how President Franklin Roosevelt handled it. We will investigate how people's lives were forever changed by the Depression and how Roosevelt's "New Deal" transformed the way government interacts in the lives of citizens. We will discuss the creation of government programs as well as the brewing tensions in Europe during the depression years that eventually led to the outbreak of World War II.

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 16-20

This week we continue our discussion of scarcity and how it effects everything in economics. We will also investigate opportunity cost, trade-offs, and cost-benefit analysis. As consumers we must realize we can't always have what we want, and so we must make tough decisions in the process. We will also begin looking at the two branches of economics; Macroeconomics and Microeconomics.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 9-13

This week we will begin our investigation of political parties and their role in the process of government. We will look at the development of political parties in the United States. Then we will look at the role of political parties today. We will discuss the platforms that each party supports and investigate the major functions of political parties as well.

US History: Nov. 9-13

This week we will continue looking at the period of American Imperialism and the implications it had on the history of our country. We will investigate how the United States began to get involved in world affairs and eventually enter the war "over there"... World War I. We will discuss America's involvement, as well as how people supported the war effort on the homefront. Towards the end of the week we will investigate the "Roaring Twenties" and discuss the glamorous decade that ended on such a low note with the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

American Govt./Econ: Nov. 9-13

This week we will complete our group projects and present them to the rest of the class as if they were investors. After presentations we will begin investigating the "problem" of economics: unlimited wants vs. limited resources. We will discuss the issue of scarcity, the factors of production, and look at the people involved in the economic process. We will investigate producers, consumers, and investors as well as their roles in the system. We will also reseach the economic implications of current events.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue our look at the Judicial Branch of government. We will look closely at the Supreme Court, how it developed, and how the justices are chosen. We will discuss what exactly the justices do, and we will look at some historical Supreme Court cases as well. We will discuss the importance of an independent judiciary and why it is so vital that we all have "Equal Justice Under Law."

US History: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue our investigation of the birth of "Modern America." We will begin to look at the problems created by all of the new wealth generated by the American Industrial Revolution. We will discuss the problems of unsanitary conditions, child labor, and worker's rights. We will also begin to investigate the political machines that developed in places like New York, and how they played a role in the lives of people. This shall take us to the development of the Progressive Movement. We will also look at some of the famous political cartooons created by Thomas Nast, who creatively described the political corruption of the day.

Robber Baron Links:

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=429#LESSON2

Robber Baron or Captain of Industry?

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=429

Thomas Nast Cartoons:

http://www.greatcaricatures.com/articles_galleries/nast/html/00_nast_list.html

http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/

http://www.thomasnast.com/TheCartoons/NastCartoons.htm

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/exhibit/nast_cartoons.htm

http://www2.truman.edu/parker/research/cartoons.html

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue looking at the role of the United States in the world. We will continue to discuss the organizations that influence the politics of the United States and the rest of the world. We will begin to focus more on how economics plays a role in the political process. We will begin to investigate the basic fundamentals of economics as well. We will also discuss the different types of economic systems that are found throughout the world.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 26-30

This week we will conclude our investigation of the Executive Branch and begin to look at the Judicial Branch in detail. We will study the checks and balances on the Judicial Branch at the national level of government in the Supreme Court. We will also look at the criminal court system. We will focus on the U.S. legal system and the federal court system. We will compare adult and juvenile systems of justice in America.

US History: Oct. 26-30

This week we will conclude our study of the Civil War and Reconstruction era and begin our investigation of the birth of "Modern America." We will analyze how industrialization changed America forever by bringing new immigrants from all over the world to the United States and making it the melting pot of cultures and peoples it is today. We will investigate the Robber Barons of industry that controlled the major businesses in America. We will also focus on the major social and political movements of the late 19th and early 20th century, most importantly, the Progressive Movement. We will discuss these major movements and how they have shaped the America we live in today.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 26-30

This week we will compare the United States system of government and politics to others around the world. We will discuss the government and non-government organizations that influence global politics, such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. This is the point in the class where we will shift our focus to Economics as well. We will begin by taking a look at the American economic system and comparing it to those around the world. We will focus on not only the economy of the United States, but the global economy. We shall focus on current events and how economics plays such a huge role in world affairs.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 19-23

This week we will begin our detailed investigation of the executive branch of government. We will study the powers that are granted to the president and discuss the checks and balances on those powers. We will discuss the election process, as well as the duties and roles of the president. We will take a look at how foreign policy is made, and we will examine the agencies of the executive branch.

US History: Oct. 19-23

This week we will continue our study of the Civil War and Reconstruction period. We will investigate how the Confederate states were brought back into the Union and how the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln changed what Reconstruction may have looked like. We will also investigate the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson and discuss the origin of Jim Crow laws in the "New South."

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 19-23

This week we will continue our look at how the Federal government assures individual rights of all citizens. Then we will investigate the make-up of the U.S. legal system and federal court system. We will study court system and how it has changed over time. Towards the end of the week we will begin to investigate America's place in the world today. We will compare our system of government to those around the world and discuss similarities and differences.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 12-16

This week we will begin the functions of government through the powers that each branch is granted in the Constitution. We will begin with the Legislative branch. We will discuss how a bill becomes a law and how members of the Congress are elected. We will also look at how the branches of government work at the state level. We will investigate the similarities and differences of each. We will emphasize the importance of federalism in our form of democratic government as well.

US History: Oct. 12-16

This week we will continue our investigation of the Civil War. We will examine the major leaders and events that shaped the conflict. We will look closely at some of the major battles that were turning points in the Civil War. We will examine the short and long term effects that the war had on the military and civilian populations of the Union and Confederate states. Emphasis will continue to be placed on the reasons the war was fought, and how the conclusion of the war would shape relations between the Northern and Southern states for generations to come.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 12-16

This week we will continue our research of the functions of government and how the Constitution assures individual rights and protects civil rights of all citizens. We will look at specific amendments, Supreme Court decisions, and how the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's forever changed how we examine individual rights in the United States. We will investigate how people go about protecting their rights and what the Federal Government does to assure individual rights while keeping the interest of the public good.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we will begin our study of citizenship and the role that citizens play in the political process. We will examine the rights and responsibilities of the people. We will focus on the importance of all citizens being actively involved in the democratic process. We will also focus on the major responsibilities that we have, such as paying taxes, jury duty, and obeying the law.

US History: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we begin our investigation into the causes of the Civil War. We will look at the main issues that divided the North and South, especially the slavery issue. We will look at the economic differences that existed between the North and South. We will also study how the Missouri Compromise and the Dred Scott decision played major roles. We will examine the significance of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 as well. We will focus on the election of Abraham Lincoln and the influence it had on the Southern Revolt.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we will continue our study of the functions of government. Since we have examined major domestic policies and how they are made, we will begin our focus on foreign policy and national security. We will look closely at how the power of the president seems to grow during a time of war, and how Congress will take that power away once a conflict is over. We will look at the struggle between national security and individual rights. We will also view the Academy Award winning film, THE FOG OF WAR, a documentary narrated by former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Permission slips will be distributed on Monday. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus to the rights, responsibilities, and the role of citizens.

Students should continue to read towards their AR goals every day!

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 21-Sep. 25

This week we will shift our focus to the Bill of Rights. We will look at the importance of each and how these freedoms affect our daily lives. Emphasis will be placed on the First Amendment. We will also investigate how the Bill of Rights did not originally apply to everyone, including women, African Americans, and Native Americans. We will also study how these people struggled to earn their civil rights, and how the Constitution has been amended to include them.

US History: Sep. 21-Sep 25

This week we will begin our study of westward expansion in the United States. We will place emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase and how it greatly changed our nation. We will pay special attention to Jefferson's presidency, the travels of Lewis and Clark, the War of 1812, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the United States. We will also research the impact that the expansion had on Native peoples and how all of these events played a role in leading up to the Civil War.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 21-Sep 25

This week we will finish our investigation of federalism by looking more specifically at how state and local governments operate. We will research the structure, power, and roles, that state and local government plays in our lives on a daily basis. We will then shift our studies to the functions of government. We will look specifically at how these are defined in the preamble and the amendments of our Constitution. We will spend time looking at the Bill of Rights and other amendments of relevance.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep 14-Sep 18

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.