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.

US History: Sep 14-Sep 18

This week we will conclude our American Revolution group projects and begin our research into the new United States of America. We will discuss why the young nation developed the Articles of Confederation and why they failed. We will then move to the creation of the U.S. Constitution that took place during the summer of 1787. We will also investigate the federalists and anti-federalists, their arguments, and the Great Compromise. We will also place emphasis on George Washington, the military hero who became a leader at the Constitutional Convention and our first president.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 14-Sep. 18

This week we will begin our study of American Federalism. We will investigate how our national government works with the state governments spread across the country. We will study the types of powers and laws that are granted to the federal and state governments, as well as those powers that are shared. We will place emphasis on the laws and policies of Arizona. We will discuss the evolving relationship between the state and national governments, and the conflicts that can arise. We will discuss the issues of the tenth amendment, which focuses on state rights. We will also look at the landmark Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland. The decision in this case set the precedent that actions of individual states may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government. Click on the following link to investigate this Supreme Court Decision:

http://www.landmarkcases.org/mcculloch/home.html

Students should be reading AR books 20-30 minutes a night and must begin testing this week if they have not done so already!

JA 8 A Civics: Sep 8-Sep 11

This week we will begin our study of the beginnings of American government under the Articles of Confederation. We will look at why the Articles failed to succeed and we will then begin to investigate the creation of the Constitution. We will compare and contrast the two documents and discuss which was better for the country.

We will examine why the Articles created such a limited national government and discuss the need for revising them. We will also discuss the struggle between the federalists and anti-federalists over the ratification of the Constitution.

US History: Sep 8-Sep 11

This week we will continue our investigation of the American Revolution. We will discuss the concluding battles of the war, and how the colonies were able to defeat such an enormous empire. We will also begin the American Revolution group project, more details will be coming in class.

Towards the end of the week we will look at the beginnings of the new nation under the Articles of Confederation, and the emergence of the Constitution due to the failures of the Articles.

American Govt./Econ: Sep 8-Sep 11

This week we will continue our Government Branches PowerPoint projects. We will also view some video segments that discuss the different branches, their powers, and the importance of checks and balances.

We will investigate all three branches in detail and groups may present their projects to the rest of the class. Towards the end of the week we will begin to research the ideas of Federalism, and how it relates to national, state, and local governments.