Street Law: Jan. 30-Feb. 3

This week students will take part in a Congressional Simulation in order to see just how difficult it is to get bills passed into laws in our country. This simulation project will be based on participation, as well as a summary activity when we finish. Later in the week we will look at the role that lawyers play in the legal system. We will examine when you would need a lawyer and how to find one. We will also begin to discuss criminal law and juvenile justice this week. We will investigate crime in America, by looking at the problems of gangs, drugs, and other issues. We will also talk about how to report and prevent crimes as well.

U.S. History: Jan. 30-Feb. 3

This week we will continue our discussion of English dominance in the American colonies & we will begin to see limits on the freedoms of those who lived there. We will examine the causes & effects of the legislation, as well as the actions by some of the colonists that created the "need" for independence from England. It must be made known that not all colonists wanted independence; many were known as "loyalists." We will examine the arguements of both sides this week as we look at some of the limits on freedom; such as the Proclamation of 1763, the Sugar Act, and the Stamp Act.

JA 8 B Civics: Jan.. 23-27

This week we will continue our study of the roots of American democracy by examining our English heritage. We will examine the documents, events, and people that influenced our founding fathers. We will discuss the importance of the American Revolution and its impact on our system of government as well.

Street Law: Jan. 23-27

This week we will finish our discussion of the goal of our legal system by discussing rights and responsibilities, the court system, and lawmaking. We will then investigate how disputes are settled. We will look at civil courts and criminal courts and discuss the difference between the two. Students will examine civil and criminal cases this week. We will also discuss federal, state, appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. History: Jan. 23-27

This week we will continue our research into the European empires of the Americas. We will place our emphasis on the British colonies and the eventual seeds of unrest in the colonies. Why did people in the colonies desire self-rule? What actions did the British take that were upsetting to the colonists? We will discuss these issues and more during the week. Later in the week we will begin our investigation of the struggle for independence and the American Revolution

Welcome to the 2nd Semester!

Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. During this first week in all classes we will review class policies & expectations. Students will take Pre-Tests in all classes and their book assignments will be given out. Mygradebook log-in information will be given out as well. As for specific class information, see below!

U.S. History:- This week we will begin examining the European empires of the Americas & we will see how the British began to dominate the New World as the Spanish began to falter. We will discuss how the English colonies developed on the Atlantic coast of the United States & the major impact this would have on the creation of the United States & the influence of British culture in America.

Street Law:- We will also discuss the importance of laws and the need for law in society. We will examine why we NEED to understand the practical laws that are to be researched and discussed this semester as well as the concept of Justice. As we move into the material, students will examine the goals of the legal system, rights and responsibilities, lawmaking, and the court system in America.

JA 8 Civics:- 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. We will discuss the influence that English law would have on our democratic republic.

ALL CLASSES: Jan. 9-13

We have finally made it to the last week of the semester! It has been a wonderful experience for me, and I hope it has also been great for all of my students. This week all classes will take the required Post-Tests after a day of review and study time. Remember, these tests count as a final exam! Monday is also the last chance to take an AR Test for the semester!

During the remainder of the week in all classes we will discuss current global events such as the global economic problems, environmental issues, revolutions in the Middle East, the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, and the Occupy Movement. I believe that these events are going to affect all peoples of the world in the years to come.

Additional Reminders:

*ECONOMICS- Your projects presentations begin Monday!*

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I wish all of my students and their families a safe and relaxing holiday break. Classes resume on Monday, 1-09-12. That is also the LAST day for students to take AR tests in the first semester. Also, don't forget to participate in the collaborize classroom posts!

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 19-23

This week we will continue our introduction to the American Economic System with a discussion of how capitalism works in the United States. We will discuss the concepts of free enterprise & the free market & how our economic freedoms are linked to our personal freedoms that are outlined in the Constitution. We will also discuss the effects of globalization, as well as America's role in the global economy.

World History: Dec. 19-23

This week we will continue our investigation of WWII. As Hitler's armies began to take control of most of Europe, the Japanese would unleash a sneak attack against the United States at Pearl Harbor. As the United States entered the war, the tides would begin to turn in favor of the Allies, also due in part to Hitler's failed invasion of the Soviet Union; Operation Barbarossa. Towards the end of the week we will investigate & discuss how the Allies began to strike back against the Axis on all fronts, including the most famous invasion of all; Operation Overlord. D-Day would mark the beginning of the end for Axis controlled Europe. Finally, we will discuss the first use of an atomic bomb, and how it would end the war, and lay the groundwork for a new conflict; the Cold War.

American Govt./ Econ. Dec. 19-23

This week we will continue our Business Projects and then we will start our study of personal finance. We will discuss budgeting for short-term & long-term financial goals. We will discuss taxes, & the effects on our financial well-being. We will also investigate other types of saving & investing, as well as the use of credit, through loans or credit cards. We will discuss the pros & cons of the use of credit as well.

“ The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. ”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

JA 8 A Civics: Dec. 12-16

This week we will conclude our investigation of citizenship and the internet. Then 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.

World History: Dec. 12-16

We will begin this week by examining the end of WWI and the problems created by the Treaty of Versailles, focusing on the impact it would have on Germany. We will examine the post-WWI uncertainty, as well as a worldwide depression that would have major ramifications across the globe. We will then shift our focus towards the rise of dictators after WWI, with an investigation of how Mussolini, Stalin, & Hitler obtained absolute power in their nations. Towards the end of the week we will closely examine the rise of Hitler & the creation of Nazi Germany. We will look at how the Nazis would take over all aspects of German life. We will also discuss how Hitler's defiance of the Versailles treaty would create the conditions for the bloodiest conflict in human history; the Second World War!