US History: Nov. 9-13

This week we will continue looking at the period of American Imperialism and the implications it had on the history of our country. We will investigate how the United States began to get involved in world affairs and eventually enter the war "over there"... World War I. We will discuss America's involvement, as well as how people supported the war effort on the homefront. Towards the end of the week we will investigate the "Roaring Twenties" and discuss the glamorous decade that ended on such a low note with the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

American Govt./Econ: Nov. 9-13

This week we will complete our group projects and present them to the rest of the class as if they were investors. After presentations we will begin investigating the "problem" of economics: unlimited wants vs. limited resources. We will discuss the issue of scarcity, the factors of production, and look at the people involved in the economic process. We will investigate producers, consumers, and investors as well as their roles in the system. We will also reseach the economic implications of current events.

JA 8 A Civics: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue our look at the Judicial Branch of government. We will look closely at the Supreme Court, how it developed, and how the justices are chosen. We will discuss what exactly the justices do, and we will look at some historical Supreme Court cases as well. We will discuss the importance of an independent judiciary and why it is so vital that we all have "Equal Justice Under Law."

US History: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue our investigation of the birth of "Modern America." We will begin to look at 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 cartooons created by Thomas Nast, who creatively described the political corruption of the day.

Robber Baron Links:

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=429#LESSON2

Robber Baron or Captain of Industry?

http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=429

Thomas Nast Cartoons:

http://www.greatcaricatures.com/articles_galleries/nast/html/00_nast_list.html

http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/

http://www.thomasnast.com/TheCartoons/NastCartoons.htm

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/exhibit/nast_cartoons.htm

http://www2.truman.edu/parker/research/cartoons.html

American Govt./ Econ: Nov. 2-6

This week we will continue looking at the role of the United States in the world. We will continue to discuss the organizations that influence the politics of the United States and the rest of the world. We will begin to focus more on how economics plays a role in the political process. We will begin to investigate the basic fundamentals of economics as well. We will also discuss the different types of economic systems that are found throughout the world.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 26-30

This week we will conclude our investigation of the Executive Branch and begin to look at the Judicial Branch in detail. We will study the checks and balances on the Judicial Branch at the national level of government in the Supreme Court. We will also look at the criminal court system. We will focus on the U.S. legal system and the federal court system. We will compare adult and juvenile systems of justice in America.

US History: Oct. 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 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.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 26-30

This week we will compare the United States system of government and politics to others around the world. We will discuss the government and non-government organizations that influence global politics, such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. This is the point in the class where we will shift our focus to Economics as well. We will begin by taking a look at the American economic system and comparing it to those around the world. We will focus on not only the economy of the United States, but the global economy. We shall focus on current events and how economics plays such a huge role in world affairs.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 19-23

This week we will begin our detailed investigation of the executive branch of government. We will study the powers that are granted to the president and discuss the checks and balances on those powers. We will discuss the election process, as well as the duties and roles of the president. We will take a look at how foreign policy is made, and we will examine the agencies of the executive branch.

US History: Oct. 19-23

This week we will continue our study of the Civil War and Reconstruction period. We will investigate how the Confederate states were brought back into the Union and how the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln changed what Reconstruction may have looked like. We will also investigate the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson and discuss the origin of Jim Crow laws in the "New South."

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 19-23

This week we will continue our look at how the Federal government assures individual rights of all citizens. Then we will investigate the make-up of the U.S. legal system and federal court system. We will study court system and how it has changed over time. Towards the end of the week we will begin to investigate America's place in the world today. We will compare our system of government to those around the world and discuss similarities and differences.

JA 8 A Civics: Oct. 12-16

This week we will begin the functions of government through the powers that each branch is granted in the Constitution. We will begin with the Legislative branch. We will discuss how a bill becomes a law and how members of the Congress are elected. We will also look at how the branches of government work at the state level. We will investigate the similarities and differences of each. We will emphasize the importance of federalism in our form of democratic government as well.

US History: Oct. 12-16

This week we will continue our investigation of the Civil War. We will examine the major leaders and events that shaped the conflict. We will look closely at some of the major battles that were turning points in the Civil War. We will examine the short and long term effects that the war had on the military and civilian populations of the Union and Confederate states. Emphasis will continue to be placed on the reasons the war was fought, and how the conclusion of the war would shape relations between the Northern and Southern states for generations to come.

American Govt./ Econ: Oct. 12-16

This week we will continue our research of the functions of government and how the Constitution assures individual rights and protects civil rights of all citizens. We will look at specific amendments, Supreme Court decisions, and how the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's forever changed how we examine individual rights in the United States. We will investigate how people go about protecting their rights and what the Federal Government does to assure individual rights while keeping the interest of the public good.