7th and 8th grade Quiz 10/29/2010

7th Grade: The 7th grade quiz will cover topics surrounding the Reconstruction Era. I suggest reviewing the situation facing the south after the Civil War.

• How did the Southern system of agricultural change during Reconstruction?
• What were the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments?
• How did the Freedmen's Bureau help newly freed slaves and poor white Southerners?
• Who was W.E.B. Du Bois, and how did he influence African Americans?
• The Black Codes
• Understand who the Scalawags, the Carpetbaggers, and the Ku Klux Klan were.
• Andrew Johnson and the radical Republicans

8th Grade: The 8th grade quiz will cover topics from the Articles of Confederation to our United States Constitution. Study your notes. Make sure you understand the system of checks and balances, the three branches of government, and why we have separation of powers.

Good luck to all classes

Ms. Van Borkulo

7th Grade Extra Credit Due October 26 2010

7th Grade Extra Credit Question: What did the United States Celebrate in 1876?

8th Grade Extra Credit Due October 26th 2010

8th Grade Extra Credit: Who are the Arizona Representatives in Congress? You need to name First and Last Names and say if they are in the House of Representatives or in the Senate!

7th and 8th Grade Homework Due October 26 2010

7th Grade: 7th graders need to answer the following question: Explain why the nicknames Scalawags, Carpetbaggers, and Ku Klux Klan, were given to these groups. What do they mean? Are they positive or negative?

8th Grade: 8th graders need to answer and explain the following: Why does the United States Government have a system of checks and balances? Explain how it works. Explain in a way that demonstrates your understanding of our democratic system.

Second Quarter Update!

7th Grade: 7th grade students are beginning their unit on Reconstruction (1865 -1877), the twelve year period following the Civil War. The students will begin this unit by looking at what the country was facing politically, economically, and emotionally after the Civil War. In addition, they will engage in discussions and activities which will help them to understand the fate of the Southern States during these years as they attempted to recover and rebuild.

8th Grade: 8th grade students are starting their Government Unit. More specifically, the students are developing an understanding of how The United States of America had to move quickly to establish some form of government after their win of the Revolutionary War. Over the next couple of weeks we will examine the successes and failures of creating what is now our United States Constitution, The Supreme Law of Our Land.

October Update!

7th Grade: The 7th graders have a busy couple weeks in the beginning of October. They are quickly approaching the end of the Civil War Unit and on October 8th (Friday) a test will be given on the Civil War so students can demonstrate their mastery of the topics studied over the past weeks. The students are working hard in so many areas to prepare for the coming test. We have covered book work, PBS Video coverage of the Civil War, handouts on specific people and events, as well as class discussion. I am proud of their hard work and look forward to completing the Unit and seeing the fruits of their labor. In addition, CBMs will take place on the 11th and 12th of October. Students will begin the Unit on Reconstruction at the start of Second Quarter.

8th Grade: The 8th graders are also working hard to prepare for their test on Friday October 8th. This test will cover the American Revolution and the events leading up to the Revolution. In addition, the students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, CBMs will take place October 11th and 12th and the Second half of each day will be regular class rotation. The students have done a terrific job this first quarter and I look forward to see the outcome of their hard work. Students will begin the Unit on the United States Government at the start of Second Quarter.

Thanks for a fantastic start to the year, and good luck on your upcoming tests.

Ms. Van Borkulo