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.

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we will begin our study of citizenship and the role that citizens play in the political process. We will examine the rights and responsibilities of the people. We will focus on the importance of all citizens being actively involved in the democratic process. We will also focus on the major responsibilities that we have, such as paying taxes, jury duty, and obeying the law.

US History: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we begin our investigation into the causes of the Civil War. We will look at the main issues that divided the North and South, especially the slavery issue. We will look at the economic differences that existed between the North and South. We will also study how the Missouri Compromise and the Dred Scott decision played major roles. We will examine the significance of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 as well. We will focus on the election of Abraham Lincoln and the influence it had on the Southern Revolt.

American Govt./ Econ: Sep. 28-Oct. 2

This week we will continue our study of the functions of government. Since we have examined major domestic policies and how they are made, we will begin our focus on foreign policy and national security. We will look closely at how the power of the president seems to grow during a time of war, and how Congress will take that power away once a conflict is over. We will look at the struggle between national security and individual rights. We will also view the Academy Award winning film, THE FOG OF WAR, a documentary narrated by former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Permission slips will be distributed on Monday. Towards the end of the week we will shift our focus to the rights, responsibilities, and the role of citizens.

Students should continue to read towards their AR goals every day!

JA 8 A Civics: Sep. 21-Sep. 25

This week we will shift our focus to the Bill of Rights. We will look at the importance of each and how these freedoms affect our daily lives. Emphasis will be placed on the First Amendment. We will also investigate how the Bill of Rights did not originally apply to everyone, including women, African Americans, and Native Americans. We will also study how these people struggled to earn their civil rights, and how the Constitution has been amended to include them.

US History: Sep. 21-Sep 25

This week we will begin our study of westward expansion in the United States. We will place emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase and how it greatly changed our nation. We will pay special attention to Jefferson's presidency, the travels of Lewis and Clark, the War of 1812, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the United States. We will also research the impact that the expansion had on Native peoples and how all of these events played a role in leading up to the Civil War.