JA 8 B Civics: Jan/ 31-Feb. 4

This week we will continue investigating the roots of American Democracy. This week we will focus on the unrest that existed in the English colonies & how it created the call for independence from the British. We will investigate how the colonists took "old" ideas from political thinkers such as Locke & Montesquieu to create what would become the foundations of American government. Later in the week we will focus on Thomas Paine's Common Sense (at left), & the Declaration of Independence, chiefly written by Thomas Jefferson (at right)!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Jan. 31-Feb. 4

This week we will investigate how nations began to declare war on eachother after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We will investigate how the alliance system made what could have been a "small" war into the Great War. The map at left shows Germany's war plan to invade France. We will begin to discuss the first battles of WWI, including the Battle of Liege, the Battle of Lorraine, & the First Battle of the Marne. We will also be in the computer lab this week so that students can complete a Weapons of WWI Webquest!

The link below will take you to the main website for the Webquest:

http://firstworldwar.com/weaponry/index.htm

World History: Jan. 31-Feb. 4

This week we will continue our investigation of the seafaring traders, and then we will begin to look at the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, & Judaism. We will be watching video clips on these relgions & there will be questions to respond to as well. Later in the week we will focus on the ancient empires in Persia & China.

JA 8 B Civics: Jan. 24-28

This week we will begin our investigation of the roots of American Democracy. We will examine our English heritage & how it has influenced our form of government. We will also discuss some of the history of the English colonies & the unrest that errupted into the American Revolution. We will discuss how the founders looked to the past for ideas about how to govern. Much of this material should be review from prior Social Studies classes.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Jan. 24-28

This week we will continue to investigate the long-term causes of WWI. Students will be assigned an extensive reading assignment with questions to respond to. We will discuss the "Long Fuse" reading as a group as well. We will break down the MAIN causes of WWI:

-Militarism- A strong build-up of military/arms

-Alliances- Friendships between nations for mutual benefit & promises to defend one another

-Imperialism- The desire to create empires & expand

-Nationalism- Strong to extreme patriotism/pride in your country.

Towards the end of the week we will investigate the "spark" that ignited the First World War:

The assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 at the hands of Gavrilo Princip & the Black Hand Gang.

World History: Jan. 24-28

This week we will continue our investigation of Egypt by focusing on its culture, religion, & achievements. We will then shift our focus to the Indo-Europeans & seafaring traders. We will examine how geography & trade played a role in the transmission of culture throughout the ancient world. We will also be in the computer lab to complete an Ancient Civilizations webquest!

Welcome to the 2nd Semester of the 2010-2011 School Year!

Welcome Back! I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. For the first week of the first semester in all of my classes we will begin by going over class policies & expectations. Book assignments & Mygradebook.com log-in information will be given out as well. Students will also take Pre-Tests in all classes. As for specific class information; see below! :)

World History: We will begin by discussing the importance of studying the past & how current events are linked to history. We will begin our investigation of world history by looking at the early civilizations in Mesopotamia & Egypt. We will also focus on the significance of geography & its role in history.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: We will begin by discussing the importance of studying global conflicts as well as the causes & consequences of conflict. We will discuss how conflicts have shaped the world we live in today, & how they will shape the future. A major theme in this course will be what can be done ( or could have been done) to prevent conflicts. We will begin by looking at the state of the world at the turn of the 20th century, & how a long chain of events led to the First World War.

JA 8 B Civics: We will begin by discussing the importance of good citizenship, why we have laws, & where our laws come from. We will discuss the diversity of America & the roots of our Democratic government. Some of this should be review from your history classes!

JA 8 A Civics: Jan. 10-14

This is the last week of the first semester. Students will present their product proposal projects on Monday & then we will begin our discussion of personal finance & what is financial success. We will investigate how to create a budget for our needs & wants, as well as how to create a savings plan for those "unexpected" expenses we all will have at some point in our lives. Students will also take the Post-Test towards the end of the week.

US History: Jan. 10-14

This is the last week of the first semester. In the beginning of the week we will discuss the causes & consequences of the Vietnam War. We will look at how it helped shift the American conscience during the 1960's, & helped create the counter-culture movement. Students will also take the Post-Test & Final Exam.

American Govt./ Econ: Jan. 10-14

This is the last week of the first semester. This week we will continue our Personal Finance unit and students will be working on their personal budgets. We will discuss some of the tools of financial success, as well as the pros and cons of credit cards and loans. Students will also take the Post-Test towards the end of the week.

JA 8 A Civics: Jan. 3-7

Welcome Back! This week we will continue our introduction to the American Economic System with a discussion of how capitalism works in the United States. We will discuss the concepts of free enterprise & the free market & how our economic freedoms are linked to our personal freedoms that are outlined in the Constitution.

US History: Jan. 3-7

Welcome Back! We will continue our investigation of the Cold War era by discussing how the United States & the USSR faced off for global dominance & influence. We will investigate the causes & consequences of the Korean War, as well as President Kennedy's policies that affected Cuba & Vietnam. We will discuss the Bay of Pigs incident and the Cuban Missile Crisis in detail. We will also discuss the "fears" of communism that affected the homefront of the Cold War, with a look at the influence of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the early 1950's & the real fears of possible all-out nuclear war.

American Govt./ Econ: Jan. 3-7

Welcome Back! We will start by continuing our study of personal finance. We will discuss budgeting for short-term & long-term financial goals. We will discuss taxes, & the effects on our financial well-being. We will also investigate other types of saving & investing, as well as the use of credit, through loans or credit cards. We will discuss the pros & cons of the use of credit as well.