American Govt./ Econ. Sep. 19-23

This week we will begin our study of American Federalism. We will investigate how our national government works with the state governments spread across the country. We will study the types of powers and laws that are granted to the federal and state governments, as well as those powers that are shared.. We will discuss the evolving relationship between the state and national governments, and the conflicts that can arise. We will discuss the issues of the tenth amendment, which focuses on state rights. We will also look at some landmark Supreme Court cases like McCulloch v. Maryland, that have set the precedent that actions of individual states may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the Federal government.

Click on the link below to access the SAS Activity on Local Ordinances. STUDENT USERNAME IS : away9details

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=212

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 12-16

This week we will continue our investigation of the principles underlying the US Constitution. We will discuss the concepts of checks & balances, as well as the separation of powers between the different branches of government. Students will take the Ch. 3 Test late 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, & 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!

World History: Sep. 12-16

This week we will continue our investigation of Ancient Rome. We will emphasize on the transition from republic to empire & our focus will be on the leadership of Julius Caesar. We will discuss how Caesar gained popularity & power in Rome through his military conquests. As the week progresses we will look at the formation of the Roman Empire & the role of Augustus (Octavian) after Caesar's murder, at the hands of members of the Roman senate on the Ides (15th) of March! We will also discuss the lasting impact the Romans left for future generations. We will also examine the emergence of Christianity in the Roman Empire & investigate the impact that Christianity had in the empire. Towards the end of the week we will examine how the Roman empire began to decay, & eventually fall at the hands of European tribes.

American Govt./ Econ. Sep. 12-16

This week we will continue our examination of the Constitution by looking at how power is distributed between the three branches of government. We will discuss why there was an emphasis on the separation of powers & the idea of checks & balances. We will look closely at the qualifications, powers, & checks placed on the different branches. We will also continue to look at how early American history shaped the Constitution, as well as the inclusion of a Bill of Rights that was added to satisfy the Anti-Federalists as well as smaller states within the union.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 6-9

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.

World History: Sep. 6-9

This week we will finish our exploration of Ancient Greece and then we will begin our investigation of Ancient Rome. Like the Greeks, the Romans had a major impact on the civilizations that followed. We will discuss the cultural, political, and several other advancements of Ancient Rome. We will begin by looking at the formation of the Roman Republic, & its eventual collapse into the Roman Empire.

American Govt./Econ: Sep. 6-9

This week we will begin our investigation of the U.S. Constitution & why it replaced the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is the foundation on which American government & society are based, and it effects our lives everyday. As the week progresses, we will break down each part of the document & examine the structure of our government within the three branches.

JA 8 A Civics: Aug. 29-Sep. 2

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 look closely at the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is one of the most important documents in history; and we will examine why.

Click on the link below to access the SAS Activity. The student username is away9details

NO PASSWORD REQUIRED!

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

World History: Aug. 29- Sep. 2

This week we will begin our investigation into the ancient civilization of Greece. This is truly the birthplace of Western civilization. We will discuss how geography played a role in the development of culture, religion, and politics. We will examine the significant contributions made by the Greeks in philosophy, architecture, science, and the arts. Towards the end of the week we will examine the empire of Alexander the Great and the spread of Greek culture through his conquests.

American Govt./ Econ. Aug. 29- Sep. 2

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. Later in the week we will focus on Thomas Paine's Common Sense (at left), & the Declaration of Independence, chiefly written by Thomas Jefferson (at right)!

Click on the link below to access the SAS Activity. Student username is away9details . No password is required for students:

http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=616

JA 8 A Civics: Aug. 22-26

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 errupted into the American Revolution. We will discuss how the founders looked to the past for ideas about how to govern. Much of this material will hopefully be review from prior Social Studies classes.

World History: Aug. 22-26

This week we will finish up our investigation of ancient Egypt by looking at its culture, religion, and achievements. Remember that your Ch. 2 Packet is due on Monday this week! Then 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. We will also investigate Indo-Europeans and seafaring traders.

American Govt./ Econ. Aug. 22-26

This week we will continue 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.

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year!

Welcome back to returning & new students! As we head into an exciting new school year, be sure to check my block for class updates, links, & other information throughout the school year. Remember, you can always leave comments if you have any questions about due dates or other concerns at any time. There are several helpful links to important websites like Mygradebook & Renaissance (AR Reading). Let's work together & make this our best year yet!