World History: Jan. 19-22

Welcome to World History! This week we will discuss student expectations for the class, AR Goals, dress code, and attendance. We will also talk about why we study the past and why it is important. Students will also take the pre test and go over it as a class. As we begin our investigation of world history, we will start by examining early civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt. We will discuss the importance of geography, and its role in history.

JA 8 A Civics: Jan. 11-15

This is the last week of the semester, but there is still much to do. This week students will take the post test and must return their books by the end of the week! We will investigate the basic principles of economics and how economics not only affects the actions of government, but our actions as citizens on a daily basis. We will examine supply and demand, wants vs. needs, and other essential components. Stay focused this week!

US History: Jan 11-15

It is the last week of the semester. This week students must take the post test and be sure to return their books by the end of the week. We will examine the major historical events of the last decade and discuss how they are still affecting us today. Students must stay focused this week and prepare for the final exam, which will cover material from the post WWII era to the present.

American Govt./ Econ: Jan. 11-15

It is the last week of the semester, but there is still much to do. This week students must take the post test and be sure to return their books by the end of the week. This week we will continue to examine personal finance and students will begin and complete their career planning research paper. We will also continue to work on the financial planning program. Stay focused this week!

JA 8 A Civics: Jan. 4-8

This week we will continue to examine the rights, roles, and responsibilities of citizens in the U.S. We will continue to investigate legal rights of citizens and minors. We will look at the different types of laws and court cases as well.

US History: Jan 4-8

This week we will continue to investigate the effects of the Vietnam War era in the U.S. and abroad. Wee will examine the changes in culture, technology, and politics. We will look at the downfall of the Nixon administration, the Carter years, and the Republican Revolution led by Ronald Reagan that followed. Towards the end of the week we will begin to look at more current events: the 2000 election, the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01, and the war on terror that followed.

American Govt./ Econ: Jan. 4-8

This week students will continue to work on the financial planning program and we will discuss the importance of saving and investing money. We will investigate the many options available for investment, as well as the risks involved. We will also examine the financial markets that exist in the United States and abroad. We will invetigate how economic challenges are addressed and the indicators and measures that are involved. We will also begin to discuss the career planning process, and how this is a job all its own.

Winter Break!

Winter Break begins at the end of the day on 12-18-09. Classes resume on 01-04-10. I hope all students have a safe and happy holiday break!! :)

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 14-18

This week we will begin our investigation of a new unit; The Individual, the Law, & the Internet. We will discuss legal rights and responsibilities, types of laws, types of court cases, and finally we will investigate citizenship and the internet and how it applies to civics in the United States.

US History: Dec. 14-18

This week we will continue our investigation of the Cold War and shift to how it affected the United States in the 1960's. We will discuss the presidency of JFK, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the continued build-up of nuclear weapons and the Space Race. Finally, we will begin our investigation of the Vietnam War, and how it transformed the United States. We will also begin to look at the growing counter-culture movements and social reforms of the era.

American Govt./Econ: Dec. 14-18

This week students will finish and present their consumer economics projects and we will discuss the role of government in protecting consumers. We will then shift our focus to our Financial Planning Program. Students will continue to work on their SMART goals and budgeting their money. We will also take a look at the basics of banking. We will investigate the difference between fixed and variable expenses, and continue to discuss needs and wants in the budgeting process.

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 7-11

This week we will continue our investigation of interest groups and the role they play in American politics. We will look at how these groups attract people to their cause. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus to state and local governments. We will compare and contrast the structure of the branches at the different levels of government.

US History: Dec. 7-11

This week we will continue to investigate the impact of WWII on the United States and we will begin to discuss the Cold War that emerged between the United States and the Soviet Union for influence in world affairs. We will discuss the nuclear arms race, anticommunism, and the fear that Americans faced of a possible nuclear attack while experiencing the economic prosperity of the 1950's. We will also investigate groups that we not part of the economic prosperity that began to fight for their civil rights.

American Govt./Econ: Dec. 7-11

This week we will investigate the American Free Enterprise System. We will discuss how this capitalist system creates the most freedom for consumers and producers in a society and gives them the opportunity to make choices with little government intervention. We will break down the advantages and disadvantages of our system and talk about the force that encourages people to play a role in it, PROFIT MOTIVE! We will also touch on how our economic freedoms are aligned with our political freedoms in the United States, as well as discussing public goods and transfer programs.