JA 8 B Civics: March 22-26

Welcome Back! This week we will begin our detailed investigation of the Legislative branch of government and the many roles it plays in government. We will discuss certain powers that the Legislative branch has, as well as how checks and balances play a part in the process. We will focus some time on how a bill becomes a law, and our bicameral legislature. We will discuss the make-up of the House of Representatives and

the Senate as well.

Street Law: March 22-26

Welcome Back! This week we will finish up discussing law and terrorism and then we shall move into our investigation of Torts. We will discuss the idea of liability and the law, as well as the different types of torts and how to take a case to court. We will also investigate how insurance plays a role as well.

World History: March 22-26

Welcome back! This week we will continue our investigation of the Middle Ages by discussing the Black Death & the 100 Years War, which will lead us into a new era for Europe. We will begin our study of the Renaissance and the Reformation era in Europe. We will investigate the causes and consequences of the events, and the people involved in them. More importantly, we will discuss how these events shaped future events.

SAS Activity- http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/ProductEntrance/Launch/launch.jsp?unit=184

Spring Break! March 15-19

I wish everyone a safe and awesome Spring Break! Have fun & enjoy your time off! Classes resume on Monday March 22!

JA 8 B Civics: March 8-12

This week we will continue discussing rights and responsibilities of citizenship. We will investigate the difference between legal duties and civic responsibilities and the role these play in our daily lives. Emphasis will be placed on voting and ways we can volunteer in our communities. Towards the end of the week, we may begin our detailed investigation of the different branches of the federal government.

Street Law: March 8-12

This week we will 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. We will also investigate law and terrorism and how some laws have changed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Emphasis will be placed on the Patriot Act.

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

World History: March 8-12

This week will be hectic due to conferences and the upcoming break, but there is much to do and we must stay focused. This week we will begin investigating the Dark Ages through the Middle Ages of Europe. We will discuss the authority of the church and secular rulers of the era. Emphasis will be placed on Charlemagne, and how he united several small kingdoms into a large empire. We will also investigate the structure of feudalism and the concept of chivalry, as well as how these played a role in the lives of people during the Middle Ages.

JA 8 B Civics: March 1-5

This week we will continue our investigation of the Bill of Rights, with an emphasis on the 1st Amendment and how people struggled to earn their rights throughout our history. We will spend some time examining the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's as well. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the duties and responsibilities of citizens in the U.S. and how citizens play different roles in their communities.

Street Law: March 1-5

This week we will continue to examine 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 take a look at some Supreme Court cases that have changed the way criminal investigations can take place in our country as well.

World History: March 1-5

This week we will investigate the rise of Islam and its expansion throughout the Middle East. We will discus its effects on culture and politics as well. This week we will also research the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that lasted long after Rome fell. Towards the end of the week we will take a look at the Mongol conquests throughout Asia

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 22-26

This week we will begin looking at the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments give Americans some of their most basic freedoms and we will spend some time looking at each one in detail. We will discuss each of them and how they affect our lives on a daily basis. We will also investigate how the Bill of Rights did not originally apply to everyone; including women, African American, and Native Americans. We will also investigate how people struggled to earn their civil rights, and how the Constitution has been amended to include them over the years.

Street Law: Feb. 22-26

This week we will continue our investigation of Criminal Law and the different types of crimes that are a part of it. We will continue to discuss the different types of crimes against the person, and property. There are so many different categories of crimes and students will need to stay sharp this week during the readings and discussion. Towards the end of the week we will examine the different types of defenses that are available to people accused of crimes. Remember, the burden is on the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant has commited the crime.

World History: Feb. 22-26

This week we will finish our investigation of the Roman Empire and begin looking into the empires of the East, India and China. We will examine the development of them and the influence they had on the culture, religion, and government of their peoples. We will also examine the civilizations of Africa, especially the Aksum Empire. Towards the end of the week students will examine early mesoamerican civilizations and how the earliest American civilizations influenced future societies and cultures.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 15-19

This week we will continue our investigation of the U.S. Constitution. We will examine the structure of the Constitution and the debate between the Federalists and anti-Federalists at the Constitutional Convention. We will discuss the Great Compromise as well as the principles that make up our Constitution. Towards the end of the week we may begin examining the Bill of Rights and their significance in our daily lives.