JA 8 B Civics: May 13-17

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.

U.S. History: May 13-17

This week we will finish our investigation of WWII, then we will begin discussing the post-war world. We will investigate the Yalta Conference and the division of Germany; a major event leading to the beginning of the Cold War. We will discuss the early years of the Cold War as well as the anxiety created by the possible use of atomic and nuclear bombs. We will also investigate the use of propaganda by the United States as a way to battle against communism. We will discuss the emergence of the United States & the Soviet Union as superpowers, and how their influence shaped global politics for years to come.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: May 13-17

This week we will begin our investigation of the Cold War. We will discuss what the Allies decided to do with Germany, now that the war was over. It would be divided up among the Allied powers. After the world was left ravaged by WWII, two nations would emerge as superpowers that would fight for global dominance; the United States & the Soviet Union. The ideologies would face off, Democracy vs. Communism. We will investigate the West's distrust of the Soviets towards the end of WWII as well as the fear that Soviet communism would spread throughout Europe. This week we will examine the causes & consequences of the Korean War as well.

JA 8 B Civics: May 6-10

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.

U.S. History: May 6-10

This week we will look at some of the turning points in WWII for the Allies. We will examine the effects of the war on the homefront, as the U.S. would become the "Arsenal of Democracy."  We will then 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 theater 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.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: May 6-10

This week we will investigate the discovery of the Nazi concentration camps as the Allied troops marched their way into Nazi Germany & would eventually force them to surrender. Then we will also investigate the Allied victory in the Pacific. After the fall of the Nazis, the Allies were still battling the Japanese in brutal combat. We will discuss the use of firebombing in major Japanese cities like Tokyo, as well as the creation of a secret weapon that would change the world forever after it was used to essentially end the war; the atomic bomb!

Wall St. Warriors ENRICHMENT

Welcome to your new enrichment class! Click on the green image below to join our group contest! You will need to register with an e-mail address and create your own account password. Click on the green image below to go to the website and register!




Password to join our private class contest:   telesis

Click on the following links to become more acquainted with some basic vocabulary, trading strategies, and other helpful hints!

http://money.cnn.com/data/hotstocks/    * THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE*

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/stock-market-articles/

http://money.cnn.com/investing/

http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/

JA 8 B Civics: Apr. 29-May 3

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. We will begin with a discussion of "What is Equal Justice Under Law?"

U.S. History: Apr. 29-May 3

This week we will complete our investigation of FDR’s attempts to end the depression under his New Deal

programs, and then we will begin our discussion of the causes of WWII in Europe through the rise of dictators, a worldwide depression, and a shift in political 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, the event that brought the United States into WWII.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Apr. 29-May 3

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."

JA 8 B Civics: April 22-26

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.

U.S. History: April 22-26

This week we will continue looking at the U.S. involvement during WWI, as well as the effect on the
homefront during the war. Finally, we will examine President Wilson's role in trying to create an everlasting peace, through his 14 points. Then we will move on to the Roaring Twenties and the Stock Market Crash that followed. We will discuss what caused the crash, after almost a decade of growth and prosperity.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 22-26

This week much of our efforts will be focused on the WWII  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. 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.

JA 8 B Civics: April 15-19

JA students will be taking AIMS this week, so be sure to eat a good breakfast and get enough sleep! This

week we will conclude our investigation of the Legislative branch & begin the Executive branch. We will discuss the qualifications for becoming President, the many roles & duties of the President  as well as the Executive branch departments. We will also look closely at how exactly the President is elected; through a complicated system called the Electoral College. We will also investigate the role that checks & balances through Presidential vetoes and judicial appointments.

U.S. History: April 15-19

This week students will give their group presentations & then we will begin 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!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 15-19

This week we will focus our efforts on the turning tides of the European theater
 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.

Wall St. Warriors Enrichment

Welcome to your new enrichment class! Click on the green image below to join our group contest! You will need to register with an e-mail address and create your own account password. Click on the green image below to go to the website and register!

 

Password to join our private class contest:   telesis

Click on the following links to become more acquainted with some basic vocabulary, trading strategies, and other helpful hints!

http://money.cnn.com/data/hotstocks/    * THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE*

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/stock-market-articles/

http://money.cnn.com/investing/

http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/

JA 8 B Civics: April 8-12

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.

U.S. History: April 8-12

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. Students will have time in the computer lab to work on their research papers and projects this week as well. As we near the final weeks of the semester, it is crucial to give our best efforts on assignments like this!

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 8-12

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!

JA 8 B Civics: April 1-5

 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!

U.S. History: April 1-5

This week we will continue our investigation of the birth of "Modern
America." We will investigate the problems created by all of the new wealth generated by the American Industrial Revolution. We will discuss the problems of unsanitary conditions, child labor, and worker's rights. We will also begin to investigate the political machines that developed in places like New York, and how they played a role in the lives of people. This shall take us to the development of the Progressive Movement. We will also look at some of the famous political cartoons created by Thomas Nast, who creatively described the political corruption of the day.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: April 1-5

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.

JA 8 B Civics: Mar. 25-29

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.

U.S. History: Mar. 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.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Mar. 25-29

This week we will begin continue investigation of the causes 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.

JA 8 B Civics: Mar. 11-15

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!

U.S. History: Mar. 11-15

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.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Mar. 11-15

This week we will begin our investigation of the causes 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.

Wall St. Warriors ENRICHMENT

Welcome to your new enrichment class! Click on the green image below to join our group contest! You will need to register with an e-mail address and create your own account password. Click on the green image below to go to the website and register!

 

Password to join our private class contest:   telesis

Click on the following links to become more acquainted with some basic vocabulary, trading strategies, and other helpful hints!

http://money.cnn.com/data/hotstocks/    * THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE*

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/stock-market-articles/

http://money.cnn.com/investing/

http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/

http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/investinglessons/a/aaless1intro.htm

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/investing.asp

JA 8 B Civics: Mar. 4-8

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!

U.S. History: Mar. 4-8

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.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Mar. 4-8

This week we will begin wrapping up our investigation of the Great War & by examining the Versailles Peace Conference. We will focus much of our efforts this week on the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, as they would have a lasting impact, & be a root cause for the rise of dictators & WWII. We will discuss what the Allies demanded from Germany & we will discuss the other peace treaties as well. We will discuss the "Big Four," which included Woodrow Wilson (USA), Georges Clemenceau (France), David Lloyd George (G. Britain), & Vittorio Orlando (Italy). These 4 men were the essential decision makers at the Paris Peace Conference & they all had different views on how to deal with Germany. We will look at each of their views in detail. Towards the end of the week we will examine how the map of Europe changed after WWI & how this would create resentment & anger for many of the nations involved.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 18-22

This week we will continue our investigation of the principles underlying the U.S. Constitution. We will discuss the concepts of checks & balances, as well as the separation of powers between the different branches of government. Click the image above for an awesome chart on the system of checks & balances! Students will take the Ch. 3 Test this week as well. After testing, we will begin our discussion of the Bill of Rights, which are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights are the basic individual freedoms that most of us take for granted, but they were not part of the original Constitution. The anti-federalists argued to get these amendments put into the Constitution. Emphasis for this week will be on the 1st amendment!

U.S. History: Feb. 18-22

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 new 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 causes and consequences of the War of 1812.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Feb. 18-22

This week we will continue our investigation of the Great War. We will discuss the reasons why Russia left the war due to the  Russian Revolution at the hands of Vladimir Lenin & the Bolsheviks. This being one of the most important political moments of the 20th century. This communist revolution in Russia (USSR) would forever change the world & will be an issue that played a role in future conflicts. We will also investigate the reasons why the United States decided to join the Allied forces late in the war, after trying to remain neutral in the "European conflict."

Click the link below for our Webquest on the US involvement of WWI!


Remember, the student username for SAS is: away9details

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=611

Wall St. Warriors ENRICHMENT

Welcome to your new enrichment class! Click on the green image below to join our group contest! You will need to register with an e-mail address and create your own account password. Click on the green image below to go to the website and register!

Password to join our private class contest:   telesis

Click on the following links to become more acquainted with some basic vocabulary, trading strategies, and other helpful hints!

http://www.howthemarketworks.com/stock-market-articles/

http://money.cnn.com/investing/

http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/

http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/investinglessons/a/aaless1intro.htm

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/investing.asp

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 11-15

This week we will continue 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 events surrounding the Constitutional Convention and the decisions that were made there in the summer of 1787.

U.S. History: Feb. 11-15

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. Finally, we will move to the Philadelphia Convention, held to "fix" the Articles of Confederation.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Feb. 11-15

The week will start off with students working on their group projects. Presentations will take place on Thursday!  Also, we will continue to look at some of the major battles on the Western Front, including Ypres, Verdun, & the Battle of the Somme. This battle included the debut of the tank in warfare & was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the impact of the war on the Middle East, & the impact of the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire & creation of new nations in the Middle East.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 4-8

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.

U.S. History: Feb. 4-8

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.

Conflicts of the 20th Century: Feb. 4-8

This week we will continue our investigation of the Western Front of WWI. We will discuss the brutality of the trenches that soldiers had to endure. Students will read primary source documents from WWI troops that describe the horrible conditions. We will examine how trench warfare created a stalemate on the Western Front that endured for most of the war. Also, we will begin to examine the new weapons used during WWI.

JA 8 B Civics: Jan. 28-Feb.1

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 discuss the role of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" as well as taking a close look  at the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is one of the most important documents in history; and we will examine why.

U.S. History: Jan. 28-Feb. 1

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 arguments 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.