U.S. History: March 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 major topics such as 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.

SPRING BREAK! March 19-23

I wish all of my students a safe and relaxing Spring Break! That said, it is also a great chance to work on your AR Goals or any additional assignments you may have. Classes resume Monday 3-26-12. Remember, that is also Parent/Teacher Conference Week!

JA 8 B Civics: March 12-16

This week we will continue our discussion of citizenship & the role that citizens play in the political process. We will investigate the rights & responsibilities of American citizens , as well as the importance of people being actively involved in our democratic process. We will focus on many of the major rights & responsibilities, but our main focus will be the right to vote and to be an active participant in our government.

Street Law: March 12-16

This week we will begin to investigate the different defenses available to people accused of crimes. Some hot topics for this week are self-defense and the insanity defense. We will also begin looking at the criminal justice process, which begins with the investigation. Items to be discussed will include arrest, search and seizure, interrogations, and confessions. We will examine what the rights people have during this process, as most of them are contained within the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.

*Click on the image to see a flow chart of the Criminal Justic Process*

US History: March 12-16

This week we will continue our investigation of the break-out of the American Civil War after the election of Abraham Lincoln. We will discuss the leaders of the Union & Confederacy, as well as the major battles of the war. We will examine and discuss the major "turning points" of the war in favor of the North, even though the South was known to have had superior military leaders. We will investigate the effects of the war on the soldiers, slaves, and civilians as well.

JA 8 B Civics: March 5-9

This week we will continue our investigation of the Bill of Rights & responsibilities of citizenship. We will continue to examine how more Americans have earned their Constitutional rights over the years. Students will also have class time to work on their Bill of Rights projects in class this week. This is truly your first project grade in class, so it is vital to put your best efforts forward!

Street Law: March 5-9

This week we will continue our investigation of crimes against property by examining forgery, carjacking, and last but not least, computer crime. Much time will be spent on the discussion of computer crime, as this is an ever-growing concern for all of us in the digital age. We will investigate what we can do to be smart when we are using computers and the internet. Emphasis will be placed on identity theft and other internet scams.

US History: March 5-9

This week we will begin our investigation of the causes leading up to the Civil War. We will discuss the Missouri Compromise and its effect on the division of slave and free states. We will also discuss the social and economic differences between the northern and southern states. We will look at the role of abolitionists, including John Brown, a leader of significance. We will look at another turning point in the debate by discussing the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and its effect on the relationship between the national government and states rights. Finally, we will investigate the rise of Abraham Lincoln by discussing the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates and the Presidential election of 1860, which caused South Carolina to leave the Union.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

This week we will continue our investigation of the Bill of Rights, with an emphasis on the 1st Amendment and how people struggled to earn their rights throughout our history. We will spend some time examining the Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's as well. Towards the end of the week we will discuss the duties and responsibilities of citizens in the U.S. and how citizens play different roles in their communities.

Street Law: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

his week we will continue examining criminal law. We will examine the issues surrounding the classes of crimes, including the difference between state and federal crimes. We will also discuss the different types of crimes against the person, including the different types of homicide. We will also investigate assault and battery, as well as other crimes against people. Towards the end of the week we will dig deeper into crimes against property.

US History: Feb. 27-Mar. 2

This week we will continue our investigation of the growth and expansion of the young United States. We will discuss the era of economic growth and strong sense of nationalism that existed after the War of 1812. We will continue to examine the continuing issues surrounding the Native populations, including the Trail of Tears, where the Cherokee indians were pushed westward. Towards the end of the week we will begin examing how regional societies would lay the framework for the tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.

JA 8 B Civics: Feb. 20-24

This week we will begin our investigation of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments give Americans some of their most basic freedoms and we will spend some time looking at each one in detail. We will discuss each of them and how they affect our lives on a daily basis. We will also investigate how the Bill of Rights did not originally apply to everyone; including women, African American, and Native Americans. We will also investigate how people struggled to earn their civil rights, and how the Constitution has been amended to include them over the years.

Street Law: Feb. 20-24

This week we will begin examining criminal law. We will discuss the different types of crimes that fall under criminal law. We will also investigate crimes against the person, whether it be murder or assault, these crimes affect all of us on a daily basis. Towards the end of the week students will examine crimes against property. We will discuss arson, vandalism, and other types of property crimes.

US History: Feb. 20-24

This week we will continue looking at the young United States, with an emphasis on George Washington's leadership as our first president, as well as the challenges that the new nation faced early on. We will then shift our focus to the period of Western Expansion after the Louisiana Purchase by President Thomas Jefferson, which created massive changes for the United States. We will also discuss the causes and consequences of the War of 1812.