JA 8 A Civics: Aug. 20-24

This week we will begin our investigation of the roots of American Democracy. We will examine our English heritage & how it has influenced our form of government. We will also discuss some of the history of the English colonies & the unrest that erupted into the American Revolution. We will discuss how the founders looked to the past for ideas about how to govern.

World History: Aug. 20-24

This week we will continue up our investigation of ancient Egypt. Students will be working on and completing their Pharaoh Facebook pages. Later in the week we will begin to look at people and ideas on the move. Emphasis will be placed on how trade routes helped shape culture, language, religion and politics in the Ancient World. We will examine the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. We will examine the similarities and differences of the religions and how they changed over time.

American Government: Aug. 20-24

This week we will continue investigating the roots of American Democracy. This week we will focus on the unrest that existed in the English colonies & how it created the call for independence from the British. We will investigate how the colonists took "old" ideas from political thinkers such as Locke & Montesquieu to create what would become the foundations of American government.



CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS THIS WEEK'S SAS ACTIVITY:

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=210

JA 8 A Civics: Aug. 13-17

We will begin by discussing the importance of good citizenship, why we have laws, & where our laws come from. We will discuss the diversity of America & the roots of our Democratic government. Some of this should be review from your history classes!

World History: Aug. 13-17

We will begin by discussing the importance of studying the past & how current events are linked to history. We will begin our investigation of world history by looking at the early civilizations in Mesopotamia & Egypt. We will also focus on the significance of geography & its role in history.

American Government: Aug. 13-17

This week we will begin examining the role of government in our lives before moving on to the origins and foundations of the American system of government. We will examine the people & events that influenced what our government looks like to this day. Emphasis will be placed on the events surrounding the American Revolution; as well as the key figures involved in the major historical event.

ALL CLASSES: May 28-31

We have finally made it to the last week of school! This has been a wonderful year of growth and achievement on a number of levels. This week we will discuss how far we have come, & where we are headed. I plan on discussing current events in relation to our classes to wrap up the school year. Just because it is the last week, do not think we will not have something to do. If you have not done so already, you will need to turn your textbooks in to me ASAP! Another reminder of note, Thursday all students are expected to be at the Aquatic Center for our Awards Assembly at 7:30 AM. This is a wonderful opportunity to show great character and support your fellow classmates. Finally, our graduation ceremony will be at 7:00 PM, at the London Bridge Resort. Come out & celebrate graduation day! I wish all of my students & their families a safe & relaxing summer!

JA 8 B Civics: May 21-25

This week students will be introduced to some of the fundamental concepts in Economics. First, we will discuss why economics are such a huge part of our daily lives, and how government and economics are tied together. We will investigate the different types of economic systems, along with how we make economic decisions every day! We will discuss wants vs. needs & the concept of scarcity as well.

Street Law: May 21-25

This week we will be concluding our final unit by investigating discrimination & the impact of some legal decisions that have changed the law. We will discuss racial, sexual, consumer, & housing discrimination. We will also discuss how disabled & elderly have fought for rights that they were entitled to. Finally, we will discuss rights & responsibilities in the workplace.

US History: May 21-25

This week we will continue looking at the post-WWII world by looking at some of the major events of the Cold War era, including the rise of communism in China, Korea, & Vietnam. We will look at the role the United States played in trying to contain communism, & the eventual wars that erupted. We will discuss the fall of the Berlin Wall & the end of the Cold War era as well. Finally, we will investigate the rise of terrorism & its effects on the United States and the rest of the world.

JA 8 B Civics: May 14-18

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. We will also investigate the importance of Jury Duty Service the role that everyday people play in our system of justice. Also, this week the class will get the chance to play jury as we watch some interactive court case films.

Street Law: May 14-18

This week we will begin our final unit of the year! We will begin discussing Individual Rights & Liberties. The focus of this unit is on Constitutional Law & we will be examining some Supreme Court cases throughout the rest of the year, along with some specific research on the Bill of Rights & issues throughout our history that have caused changes in the interpretation of our laws.

US History: May 14-18

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 discuss the emergence of the United States & the Soviet Union as superpowers, and how their influence shaped global politics for years to come.

JA 8 B Civics: May 7-11

This week we will continue our investigation of the U.S. legal system. We will discuss our legal rights & responsibilities, as well as the history of how our laws developed. We will discuss the similarities & differences between civil & criminal law, as well as the steps of the trial process. We have about 3 weeks left in the semester, but still much to do. STAY FOCUSED!