WINTER BREAK: DEC. 20-Jan. 2

I wish all of you a wonderful and safe Winter Break! Classes resume on Monday January 3rd.

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 13-17

This week students will be introduced to some of the fundamental concepts in Economics. First, we will discuss why economics are such a huge part of our daily lives, and how government and economics are tied together. We will investigate the different types of economic systems, along with how we make economic decisions every day! We will discuss wants vs. needs & the concept of scarcity as well.

US History: Dec. 13-17

This week we will look at some of the turning points in WWII for the Allies. We will discuss the D-Day invasion to liberate Europe from the Nazis, the Soviet invasion of Berlin from the East, & we will discuss the brutal Pacific theatre that looked like it had no end in sight, until the most secret weapon of the war was used not once, but twice. We will discuss the "causes & consequences" of the use of atomic bombs on Japan. Although it put an end to the war, it also created an entire new age: The Cold War.

American Govt./ Econ: Dec. 13-17

This week we will continue our investigation of the American Free Enterprise System of Economics. We will discuss the key concepts of this system, as well as how it grants all of us economic freedom. Students will also be working on their business & product proposal projects. We will be in the computer lab this week for research, price comparisons, & to develop a market strategy for the product.

Click on the link below to go directly to the SAS Project Website!

Username- away9details - no password required!

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=413

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 6-10

This week we will continue our investigation of the US legal system by discussing the similarities and differences between the adult and juvenile courts. We will break down the process from arrest to sentencing. Also, this week the class will get the chance to play jury after we watch some interactive court case films.

US History: Dec. 6-10

This week we will investigate the causes of WWII in Europe through the rise of dictators (Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo), a worldwide depression, and a shift in poltical ideologies. We will look at how the United States, still dealing with the Great Depression, tried to remain neutral in another European conflict. We will then look at the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (at right), the event that brought the United States into WWII.

American Govt./ Econ: Dec. 6-10

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

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 29-Dec. 3

This week we will continue our investigation of the U.S. legal system. We will discuss our legal rights & responsibilities, as well as the history of how our laws developed. We will discuss the similarities & differences between civil & criminal law, as well as the steps of the trial process.

US History: Nov. 29-Dec. 3

This week we will investigate the Roaring Twenties & the lasting effects that the period had on American culture, & how the "boom time" economy eventually spiraled the country into the Great Depression with the Stock Market Crash of 1929. We will discuss the policies of President Hoover, & how his unpopularity led to the election of FDR, one of America's most important & controversial presidents. (Pictured at left is a "Hooverville," which were shanty towns built by the poor & homeless during the depression years throughout the nation.)

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 29-Dec. 3

This week we will continue our discussion of major concepts within economics. We will discuss scarcity, opportunity cost, the factors of production, and resources; including natural and human. We will discuss the concept of renewable & non-renewable resources as well.

ALL CLASSES: Nov. 22-23

ALL STUDENTS: REMEMBER THAT WE ONLY HAVE A 2 DAY WEEK DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY! THAT SAID, REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE TASKS AT HAND!

-American Govt./Econ- This week we will continue our investigation of different types of economic systems. We will give special focus to Capitalism & Socialism, as these have become the two most prominent types of economies around the globe.

-US History- We will continue America's involvement in WWI in Europe, as well as how the war affected civilians on the homefront.

-JA 8 Civics- We wil continue our discussion of the US legal system by discussing the differences between criminal and civil law. We may also investigate the similarities & differences of the adult legal system & the juvenile system.

*The holiday weekend is a great opportunity to do some AR Reading!*

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 15-19

This week we will begin our investigation of the Judicial branch of government. We will take a close look at the role of the courts in the United States, as well as a look at the checks & balances that are involved in the Judicial branch. We will discuss the role of the Supreme Court, as well as lower courts in the U.S. legal system.

US History: Nov. 15-19

This week we will continue our investigation of the era of imperialism in the United States. We will discuss how the United States became a world power by getting involved in global affairs and by expanding its territorial gains. We will investigate how the United States attempted to stay neutral, but eventually joined the war "over there".... the First World War!

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 15-19

This week we will continue to look at the different types of economic systems that exist. We will discuss how money "flows" through our economy & keeps it growing. Then we will begin to look at the "problem" of Economics, unlimited wants vs. limited resources. We will discuss this fundamental concept, as well as supply & demand, opportunity costs, & the role of the factors of production.

ALL CLASSES: Nov. 8-10

Attention to all students: Remember that this is a short week & that we have no school on Thursday & Friday. Students need to stay focused on their tasks & assignments!

-American Govt./Econ.- We will continue to discuss the role of the United States in the world & the role that Economics plays in Government as well as the role Government plays in Economics.

-US History- We will continue our investigation of the emergence of Modern America & the Gilded Age. We will look closely at the way people lived in the growing cities, political corruption, & the problems that people faced in the workplace.

-JA 8 Civics- We will finish our investigation of the Executive Branch by discussing the role of the President in foreign policy & how this has an effect on not only the United States, but the entire world.

*The coming long weekend is a great opportunity for students to do some AR Reading!*

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 1-5

This week we will continue our investigation of the Executive branch. We will discuss the duties of the President as Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief of State, & all the other roles of the office. We will also look at the role of the President's cabinet, as well as all the other offices within the Executive branch.

US History: Nov. 1-5

This week we will conclude our investigation of the Reconstruction period & begin our discussion of the "birth of Modern America," which was fueled by the Second Industrial Revolution, the growth of major cities, & the influx of immigrants into the U.S. that created the true melting pot of cultures that we still have today. We will discuss the major social & poltical movements of the late 19th & early 20th century that shaped post-Civil War America & laid the foundation for the Progressive Movement.

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 1-5

This week we will continue looking at the role of the United States in the world. We will discuss U.S. foreign policy, as well as the international organizations that influence the politics of the U.S. & the rest of the world. Pictured at right is the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This week we will also begin to focus on how economics plays a role in the political process. We will also begin to investigate the basic fundamentals of economics as well.

In addition, students need to work on their AR READING GOALS! This is worth 10% of the overall grade!

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 25-29

This week we will conclude our investigation of the Legislative branch & begin the Executive branch. We will discuss the qualifications for becoming President, the roles & duties of the Preseident, as well as the Executive branch departments. We will also look closely at how exactly the President is elected; through a complicated thing called the Electoral College.

US History: Oct. 25-29

This week we will continue our investigation of the Civil War by looking at the final battles and "Sherman's March," We will also discuss the concept of total war & the effect this had on the North & South. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the conclusion of the war and the different plans for Reconstruction; which was how to bring the Southern states back into the Union & rebuild the nation as one. We will also look at the effect Lincoln's assassination had on these plans & on the nation.

American Govt./Econ: Oct. 25-29

This week we will finish our investigation of the branches of government & then discuss the role of the United States in world affairs. We will discuss U.S. foreign policy as well as our relationships with other nations and organizations such as the United Nations. This is also an AIMS week, so get plenty of sleep & eat something for breakfast!

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 18-22

This week we will begin our detailed investigation of the Legislative branch of government. We will discuss the duties of both houses of Congress, and we will emphasize on the process of how a bill becomes a law. We will also discuss the qualifications for becoming a member of the House & the Senate in the U.S. Congress.

US History: Oct. 18-22

This week we will continue our investigation of the break-out of the American Civil War after the election of Abraham Lincoln. We will discuss the leaders of the Union & Confederacy, as well as the major battles of the war. As the week progresses, we will discuss the major "turning points" of the war in favor of the North, even though the South had superior military leaders. We will investigate the effects of the war on the soldiers, slaves, and civilians as well.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 18-22

This week we will finish looking at the functions of the Legislative branch and begin our investigation of the functions of the Executive branch. It is far more complicated than just the President & Vice-president. We will discuss all of the departments within the Executive branch as well. Towards the end of the week we will begin discussing the functions of the Judicial branch, which we will conclude next week.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 11-15

This week students will present their Bill of Rights projects to the class. We will then continue our investigation of the rights, responsibilities, and roles of citizenship. We will focus on the benfits of community service and its relationship to the Public Good. We will continue to emphasize the importance of citizens being actively involved in the democratic process, as well as the obligations we have as citizens. Examples of these obligations include paying taxes, obeying the law, and jury duty service.

US History: Oct. 11-15

This week we will begin our investigation of the causes leading up to the Civil War. We will discuss the Missouri Compromise and its effect on the division of slave and free states. We will also discuss the social and economic differences between the northern and southern states. We will look at the role of abolitionists, including John Brown, a leader of significance. We will look at another turning point in the debate by discussing the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and its effect on the relationship between the national government and states rights. Finally, we will investigate the rise of Abraham Lincoln by discussing the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Presidential election of 1860, which caused South Carolina to leave the Union.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 11-15

This week we will continue our investigation of the functions of government by examining how the Constitution protects and guarantees Due Process of law through specific amendments and mandates. We will also discuss the sources of government funding at all levels; TAXES! Later in the week we will begin to discuss the regulatory functions of the government pertaining to consumer protection. We will also investigate the factors and processes that determine some of our major domestic policies, such as social security and health care.

FALL BREAK! Oct. 4-8

I wish everyone a safe & relaxing Fall Break! Take it easy, but maybe you should read your AR book over the break. Also, a REMINDER to JA 8 Civics: Your projects are due on Monday when we return!

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 27- Oct. 1

This week we will finish up our investigation of the Bill of Rights & begin our discussion of citizenship & the role that citizens play in the political process. We will investigate the rights & responsibilities of people as well as the importance of citizens being actively involved in our democratic process. We will focus on many of the major rights & responsibilities, but our main focus will be the right to vote

US History: Sep. 27- Oct. 1

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 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 importance of Andrew Jackson as a war hero & president as well as the travels of Lewis & Clark & the War of 1812 as well. Stay focused this week as we are off for FALL BREAK next week!

American Govt./Econ: Sep. 27- Oct. 1

This week we will finish up our Constitution projects & then begin our investigation of our Federal system of government, in which power is shared between the national and state governments. We will spend some time looking specifically at how state and local governments operate as well. We will discuss the structure, powers, & roles that state & local governments play in our lives on a daily basis.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 20-24

This week we will begin our discussion of the Bill of Rights; the first 10 Amendments to our Constitution. We will break them down and investigate the importance of each of them, & how these rights affect us today. A certain emphasis will be placed on the 1st Amendment, which most people consider to be our most important right as American citizens! We will also investigate the historical reasons for the creation of these amendments as well! Don't forget that your Ch. 3 Packets are due this week on Tuesday!

US History: Sep. 20-24

This week we will finish up our investigation of the American Revolution and shift our focus to the first years of our new nation. We will discuss the Articles of Confederation, which was our first Constitution & a failure. We will discuss the reasons why the Articles created, as well as the reasons they did not work to maintain cooperation of the new United States. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus towards the Constitutional Convention, a conference set up to "fix" the problems within the Articles of Confederation. However, what happenened was very different & quite a historical moment as those men created the Constitution that we use to this day!

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 20-24

This week we will continue our investigation of the Constitution by looking more closely at the qualifications, powers, and checks placed upon the branches of our government. Students will also begin a Constitution project this week; details to come on Monday! Students should also work on completing their Ch. 3 Packets & Section Reviews as they are due on this Friday. Don't forget we have shorter classes due to conferences!

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 13-17

This week we will continue our investigation of the Constitution by looking at the three different branches within our government & the powers granted to them. We will discuss the reasoning behind the separation of powers & the limits placed on the government. We will investigate the duties that each branch performs & how the branches must work together in order for our government to run smoothly.

US History: Sep. 13-17

This week we will continue researching the American Revolution by looking at some of the important battles & the people involved in them. We will focus on the leadership of George Washington of the revolutionary army & how he was able to bring poor farmers with little military skill together to defeat the strongest army in the entire world. As the week progresses we will also investigate the conditions that the troops had to deal with, including malnutrition, harsh winters, and poor weapons.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 13-17

This week we will continue our examination of the Constitution by looking at how power is distributed between the three branches of government. We will discuss why there was an emphasis on the separation of powers & the idea of checks & balances. We will continue to look at how early American history shaped the Constitution, as well as the inclusion of a Bill of Rights that was added to satisfy some of the smaller states within the union.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 7-10

This week we will begin our investigation of the American government under the Articles of Confederation after the revolutionary war. We will discuss the problems that existed in the Articles & the reasons why they needed to be changed. As we look at the debates between the framers, we will investigate the reasons why the Articles constrained the national government's power; which basically made it inoperable. As the week progresses, we will discuss the arguments between the Federalists & the Anti-Federalists.

*Click on the image to the right for a great breakdown of the debate!

US History: Sep. 7-10

This week we will continue investigating the causes of the American Revolution by discussing the events that led up to it. Aside from the numerous taxes that were being placed on the colonists, there were also large number of British troops within the major cities that were restricting basic liberties. One of the major events we will discuss is the Boston Massacre, which became a turning point in the call for independence for the colonists. Later in the week we will begin to investigate the early battles of the revolution.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 7-10

This week we will begin our investigation of the U.S. Constitution & why it replaced the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is the foundation on which American government & society are based, and it effects our lives everyday. As the week progresses, we will break down each part of the document & examine the structure of our government within the three branches.

JA 8 A Civics: Aug 30-Sep 3

This week we continue our discussion of the English roots of American democracy & then we will examine some of the major events that played a role in the development of the American system of government. We will look at the causes & effects of the American Revolution, and we will look closely at the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is one of the most important documents in history; and we will examine why.

US History: Aug. 30-Sep. 3

This week we will continue our discussion of English dominance in the American colonies & we will begin to see limits on the freedoms of those who lived there. We will examine the causes & effects of the legislation, as well as the actions by some of the colonists that created the "need" for independence from England. It must be made known that not all colonists wanted independence; many were known as "loyalists." We will examine the arguements of both sides this week as we look at some of the limits on freedom; such as the Proclamation of 1763, the Sugar Act, and the Stamp Act.