JA 8 B Civics: March 28-April 1

This week we will continue our investigation of the Legislative Branch. We will examine the process in how a bill becomes a law, as well as a discussion of why the framers made this process so difficult. After wrapping up our look at Congress, we will begin our discussion of the Executive Branch of government. We will begin by looking at the requirements to become president, as well as the powers and duties of the Chief Executive.

*REMINDER- Conferences are Tuesday - Thursday!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: March 28-April 1

This week we will examine the struggle for the Mediterranean, including battles in North Africa & Operation Torch. We will also investigate Hitler's invasion of the USSR - Operation Barbarossa, which would create problems for the Nazis. We will discuss what led to Hitler's desire to invade the USSR & why the invasion failed. We will also discuss the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the U.S. into WWII!

We have a short classes Tues. - Thurs. due to conferences, but much to do- STAY FOCUSED!

World History: March 28-April 1

This week we will discuss the Renaissance & Reformation, which led to many changes throughout Europe & the globe. What led to these 2 major events? We will discuss the causes & effects of each this week! The Renaissance was a rebirth for culture & learning after the Dark Ages in Europe. The Reformation began with challenges to the superiority of the Catholic Church, which held massive amounts of power in the medieval world. Emphasis will be placed on Martin Luther (LEFT) & King Henry VIII of England (RIGHT). These two men would be responsible for the creation of new sects of the Christian religion that would compete with Catholicism.

*REMINDER- Conferences are Tuesday-Thursday this week!

JA 8 B Civics: March 21-25

Welcome back! This week we will begin our investigation of the Legislative Branch of our Federal Government. We will discuss the many roles of the Legislative Branch, along with how checks & balances affect it as well. We will investigate how members of Congress are elected, & what the men & women of Congress actually do when they go to work! Emphasis will be placed on how a bill becomes a law. We will discuss how bills move through Congress, are voted upon, & can eventually become law in our nation. We will also investigate the similarities & differences between the House of Representatives & the Senate this week as well!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: March 21-25

Welcome back! This week we will continue our investigation of the outbreak of WWII. We will discuss Hitler's invasion of Poland & the use of the Blitzkrieg to swiftly knock out his adversaries. We will also investigate Hitler's non-aggression pact with Stalin & the the consequences this would have early in the war. After Poland, Hitler's next target was France. We will discuss the fall of France to the Nazis & how it led to Axis domination of the European continent for most of the war. After France, Hitler needed to take out Great Britain. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the Battle of Britain along with the constant Nazi bombardment of major British cities, specifically the bombing of London, which led to civilians trying to escape or hiding out in subways as in the picture to the right!

World History: March 21-25

Welcome back! This week we will bcontinue our investigation of the Dark Ages, the period of cultural decline in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. We will discuss the growing power of the Catholic Church during this time period as well as the role of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was able to unite several small germanic kingdoms into a vast empire, known as the "Holy Roman Empire" that would lead to the development of Western Europe. We will also discuss medieval society & how the system of feudalism impacted people. Towards the end of the week we will focus on the Black Death- The Plague- which wiped out over 30% of the population of Europe. We will also investigate the causes & effects of the Hundred Years' War- which would set the stage for conflict between England & France for years to come.

Spring Break: March 14-18

I wish all students a safe & restful Spring Break! The week off is an excellent opportunity to do some AR Reading! Also, don't forget that Conferences are right around the corner! Conferences will be held March 29-31. Classes resume on Monday March 21!

JA 8 B Civics: March 7-11

This week we will finish our investigation of the Bill of Rights & students will present their projects to the class. We will also discuss some later amendments which extended rights over time. Emphasis will be placed on the Civil Rights Movement & suffrage for women. Later in the week we will begin our exploration of the duties & responsibilities of citizenship. We will discuss how citizens truly can make a difference in their communities through volunteerism & other activities. We will investigate other duties & responsibilities, such as voting & jury duty as well!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: March 7-11

This week we will begin our investigation of WWII. We will discuss the rise of dictators, beginning with Mussolini (Italy), Stalin (USSR), & Hitler (Germany). We will also investigate the rise of militarists in Japan & the Spanish Civil War (and the take-over by Franco) in the years following WWI. As for the dictators, they all made promises to their people, & then found ways of controlling them with absolute power. We will discuss how the dictators came to power & how they maintained power. We will discuss the ideology of fascism as well. All of them used propaganda, censorship, terror, & they worked to eliminate those who spoke out against them. Later in the week we will emphasize our efforts on Hitler & the Nazis, as their actions were a major cause of more conflict. We will also discuss the issue of appeasement & why the nations in Europe allowed these dictators to "get away" with so much before war broke out in 1939.

Click the link below for the Mussolini SAS Webquest! -Student username -away9details

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=600

World History: March 7-11

We will begin the week with a review & then a test on Ancient Rome. For the remainder of the week we will investigate the rise of Islam & its expansion through the Middle East. As Christianity began to dominate most of Europe, Islam spread to the Middle East. We will discuss the effects that Islam had on culture & politics as well. We will also discuss the Byzantine Empire, which was the Eastern portion of the Roman Empire that lasted long after the Western Roman Empire fell. We will discuss the contributions of the Eastern Empire, as well as the mixture of Eastern culture that made it unique & different from the Western Empire. Emphasis will also be placed on Justinian, one of the most famous Byzantine Emperors.