JA 8 B Civics: April 2-6

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. We will also perform our Congressional Simulation this week so that students have a chance to see how Congress really works as they will have to work in groups to try and create bills and pass them into law.

Street Law: April 2-6

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. From there, we will move on to Tort (Civil Court) Laws, where we will discuss the differences between Criminal and Civil Laws.

US History: April 2-6

This week we will continue our investigation of the birth of "Modern America." We will analyze how industrialization changed America by bringing new immigrants from all over the world to the United States. We will continue to discuss major topics such as the Robber Barons of industry (John D. Rockefeller pictured at left) that controlled the major businesses in America. We will also focus on the major social and political movements of the late 19th and early 20th century, most importantly, the Progressive Movement.

JA 8 B Civics: March 26-30

The week will begin with student presentations of the Bill of Rights Projects. Then we will begin our detailed investigation of the Legislative branch of government. We will discuss the duties and requirements of both houses of Congress, and we will emphasize on the process of how a bill becomes a law. We will also discuss the many different activities that members of Congress perform in their role of government. We will also discuss some of the checks and balances that affect Congress as well.

Street Law: March 26-30

This week students will present their group project and then we will move on to discuss the juvenile justice system in America and how it differs from the criminal justice system for adults. We will discuss the different types of offenses, and how some youths may be charged as adults based on crime they committed.

Great websites on juvenile justice:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/us-human-rights/other/clwop-how-does-your-state-measure-up/page.do?id=1102095

http://www.juvenilejusticefoundation.com/miranda%20rights%20&%20children.html

U.S. History: March 26-30

This week we will conclude our study of the Civil War and Reconstruction era and begin our investigation of the birth of "Modern America." We will analyze how industrialization changed America forever by bringing new immigrants from all over the world to the United States and making it the melting pot of cultures and peoples it is today. We will investigate major topics such as the Robber Barons of industry that controlled the major businesses in America. We will also focus on the major social and political movements of the late 19th and early 20th century, most importantly, the Progressive Movement. We will discuss these major movements and how they have shaped the America we live in today.

SPRING BREAK! March 19-23

I wish all of my students a safe and relaxing Spring Break! That said, it is also a great chance to work on your AR Goals or any additional assignments you may have. Classes resume Monday 3-26-12. Remember, that is also Parent/Teacher Conference Week!

JA 8 B Civics: March 12-16

This week we will continue our discussion of citizenship & the role that citizens play in the political process. We will investigate the rights & responsibilities of American citizens , as well as the importance of people 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 and to be an active participant in our government.

Street Law: March 12-16

This week we will begin to investigate the different defenses available to people accused of crimes. Some hot topics for this week are self-defense and the insanity defense. We will also begin looking at the criminal justice process, which begins with the investigation. Items to be discussed will include arrest, search and seizure, interrogations, and confessions. We will examine what the rights people have during this process, as most of them are contained within the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.

*Click on the image to see a flow chart of the Criminal Justic Process*

US History: March 12-16

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. We will examine and discuss the major "turning points" of the war in favor of the North, even though the South was known to have had superior military leaders. We will investigate the effects of the war on the soldiers, slaves, and civilians as well.

JA 8 B Civics: March 5-9

This week we will continue our investigation of the Bill of Rights & responsibilities of citizenship. We will continue to examine how more Americans have earned their Constitutional rights over the years. Students will also have class time to work on their Bill of Rights projects in class this week. This is truly your first project grade in class, so it is vital to put your best efforts forward!

Street Law: March 5-9

This week we will continue our investigation of crimes against property by examining forgery, carjacking, and last but not least, computer crime. Much time will be spent on the discussion of computer crime, as this is an ever-growing concern for all of us in the digital age. We will investigate what we can do to be smart when we are using computers and the internet. Emphasis will be placed on identity theft and other internet scams.

US History: March 5-9

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.