JA 8 B Civics: April 25-29

This week we continue our investigation of the American legal system. We will examine some of our legal rights & responsibilities. We will examine the rights we are entitled to if we are arrested, as well as the rights we are entitled to during a trial. We will also examine the history of how the American legal system & our laws developed over time. We will also discuss the steps in the trial process & the similarities & differences between civil & criminal law.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 25-29

This week we will continue our investigation of WWII after the success of Operation Overlord. We will discuss the liberation of France, as this was a significant event in the war. After pushing the Nazis out of France, the Allied knew the next step would be to invade Germany. We will examine how the American and British troops faced off against the Nazis from the west, as we will discuss the Battle of the Bulge- Hitler's last gamble offensive against the Allies. Then we will investigate the Soviet invasion from the east and the take-over of Berlin. As the Allies surrounded Germany, Hitler would commit suicide, leaving the Third Reich without a leader. We will discuss the Nazi surrender, as well as what Allied troops would find on their way to Germany- the concentration camps that would reveal the horrors of Hitler's "Final Solution."

World History: April 25-29

This week we will investigate the many changes in the 19th century after the fall of Napoleon. We will discuss the effects of the industrial revolution, and how this would lead to an increase in imperialism, as well as a growth in nationalism among nations. We will also examine the emergence and growth of socialist thought and the influence of Karl Marx. We will also look at the growth of nation-states in Europe. Towards the end of the week we will discuss how all of these changes in the 19th century would cause problems in the early part of the 20th century, and eventually lead to the First World War!

JA 8 B Civics: April 18-22

This week we will continue our investigation of the Judicial Branch. We will discuss the duties of the court system in our country, as well as how they are organized from the Supreme Court all the way down to local courts. We will also discuss the impact that Supreme Court decisions have had on Americans through Constitutional changes that have happened due to the Court's rulings. Once again, we will also focus on checks and balances and the role it plays between the 3 branches of government.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 18-22

This week much of our efforts will be focused on the WWII newspaper projects. You have had time to complete independent research on your topics, and now you will hopefully be prepared to put it all together. Towards the end of the week we will investigate the Day of Days- D-Day! We will discuss the importance of General Eisenhower's role in the invasion and the beginnings of liberation of Nazi controlled Europe.

Click the link below to get the Newspaper template folder for our WWII project. You will save the folder to your desktop. The template is a word document inside the folder.

http://www.extranewspapers.com/downloads/files/MicrosoftWORD/Word%20Newspaper%20Template%206.zip

World History: April 18-22

This week we will continue our investigation of the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon. As the revolution raged on, Napoleon emerged through swift military victories and his popularity increased significantly. While the people of France were dealing with "The Terror," Napoleon actually offered stability to a nation in turmoil. We will discuss how Napoleon was able to assume absolute power and forge an empire across Europe. Towards the end of the week we will discuss how it began to collapse.

JA 8 B Civics: April 11-15

This week we will finish up our discussion of the Executive Branch. We will discuss the President's role in foreign policy as Chief Diplomat & Commander in Chief. We will also discuss the role of the other 2 branches in the foreign policy process, through checks and balances. We will also be testing on this chapter this week, & your Chapter 7 packet is due. Later in the week we will move on to the Judicial Branch. We will focus our efforts on the duties of the court system in our nation, beginning with the most powerful court in the U.S.; the Supreme Court.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 11-15

This week we will continue our investigation of WWII. We will begin by discussing the Tehran Conference of 1943. . This was the first face-to-face meeting between the "Big 3"- Churchill, Stalin, & Roosevelt. These 3 leaders would discuss plans on how to attack the Axis, as well how to deal with other issues of the war. This week we will have a reading & questions on the conference, & we will be watching a video on Stalin's influence during this time period. Towards the end of the week we will investigate a plan that came to light at the Tehran Conference; the plan to liberate France-as well as the rest of Europe from Nazi domination. Most of you know this event as Operation Overlord; or D-Day.

Click the link below to get the Newspaper template folder for our WWII Project. You will save the folder to your desktop. The generic template is inside the folder!

http://www.extranewspapers.com/downloads/files/MicrosoftWORD/Word%20Newspaper%20Template%206.zip

World History: April 11-15

This week we will continue our investigation of the Absolute & Enlightened Monarchs. We will also discuss the impact of the Enlightenment & Scientific Revolution in Europe. Then we will move on to the problems brewing in France that would lead to a revolution. We will discuss the many causes of the French Revolution, as well as the strange events that would follow. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the effects of the French Revolution, not just in France, but across the globe, as it led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Click on the links below for this week's SAS Activites!

Link #1 -Enlightened Monarchs

Link#2- Causes of the French Revolution

Username - away9details

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=188

EXTRA CREDIT SAS ASSIGNMENT LINK IS BELOW:

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=189

JA 8 B Civics: April 4-8

This week we will continue our investigation of the Executive Branch of government. We will discuss the duties & powers of the president & vice president, as well as what other members of the Executive Branch do on a daily basis to help make government run smoothly. We will also cover checks & balances & the role they play for the president. We will also discuss why the Constitution does not grant as many specific powers to the president as it does to the Congress. Why did the framers do this? We will examine how presidential power has grown over the course of our nation's history from Washington to Obama.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 4-8

This week we will focus our efforts on the turning tides of the European theatre of WWII. As the Americans were battling against the Japanese in the Pacific, and the Soviets were trying to hold back the Nazis, the Allied Powers were planning to take back Europe from the Axis. Would it be Italy or France first? We will discuss the debate between the "Big 3"-Churchill, Roosevelt, & Stalin over what to do next. We will investigate the motives behind their opinions, as well as what actually happened. Italy would be first! We will discuss the Allied invasion of Italy, the removal of Mussolini, the attempt to put Mussolini back in power, & finally the fall of Mussolini & the fascists in Italy. Now that the Allies had a foothold on mainland Europe; it would be time to take back the rest of the continent.

World History: April 4-8

This week we will continue our investigation of the Age of Exploration. We will focus our efforts on the effects it had for peoples in the Old & New Worlds. We will look closely at Columbus, Pizarro, & Cortes. We will discuss the issues of the Columbian Exchange, including the transfer of culture, religion, & disease. We will investigate the interactions between conquerors & the conquered. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus back to the Old World by discussing the Age of Absolute Rulers in Europe, along with the lasting impact some of these rulers would have for future generations.