7th and 8th grade update!

Hello parents and students,

7th Grade:  The students are in the middle of their Civil War Unit.  We have been working diligently to cover the material missed due to Drug Awareness Week and Galileo testing.  All good things just a busy time for all.  Today the students will be taking a test on the standards addressed from the years 1860 - 1863.  This test covers the Election of Abraham Lincoln, secession of the southern states, the advantages and disadvantages of the Union and Confederacy, as well as the strategies for both sides.  In addition, they will demonstrate their understanding of life for the soldiers, the battles of Antietam Creek and Shiloh, and the famous Emancipation Proclamation.  This was a very difficult time in America's history, where the country lost over 600,000 lives in a desperate fight to save our country, and most importantly end the institution of slavery.  We will continue this Unit over the next two weeks.

8th Grade:  As a class we have been unraveling the events that led to the birth of the United States.  Our studies this far have included a discussion of the Enlightenment Period, John Locke, Montesquieu, and the roles these all played in influencing the creation of the Declaration of Independence.  Furthermore, the students have read about and discussed the importance of Thomas Paine, and Richard Henry Lee in encouraging the Patriots to move forward with Independence.  In addition, we have been doing an in depth study of The Declaration of Independence and the impact of this brilliant piece of writing both in 1776 and still today. The students will be tested on this material today, and we will continue with the Revolutionary War over the next two weeks.  Finally, the students will be creating a current version of the Declaration of Independence, in groups, in words that demonstrate their understanding of the material covered.

Ms Van