Preamble to the Constitution

9/12/13

Today we analyzed the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. In the Government Links section you can find a pdf version of the annotation done during 3rd period today (all of the classes were the same). Below is what it looks like:

Tomorrow we will be annotating the 1st Amendment. All of this is preparing students for Constitution week, which starts on Monday.  Be looking for a family assignment next Wednesday!!!

9/11/13


Today we are remembering the events of 9/11. Take time to discuss these events with your children. Go over these questions with your students.

1) Where were you when the events of 9/11 unfolded?

2) What did you think was happening?

3) How did it make you feel when the towers started falling?

4) How did you feel once more information came out?

We will be viewing a short video about the timeline of events, followed by a video of the memorial.

Then students then were given the following writing prompt about the memorial and events surrounding 9/11.

American Symbolism

This memorial is designed using imagery often associated with America, as well as symbols that come from nature. Name three symbols used in the memorial. Explain what each symbol means and how that object/thing has a greater meaning. 

Notes for the class

Have you ever wondered what notes students have been taking in Social Studies class or what they have been seeing?  Now is your chance!!  Just click the Notes link at the top of your page and then click on the appropriate chapter. Each set of notes will be in PDF format so you child can print them out or simply read from the screen. There will be two options. One option will be with a slide on each page or four slide on each page.

WARNING: If you select the option for one slide on each page it will be a lot of pages to print, usually twenty or more! So kids ask your parents permission first :)

Review of the Branches of Government

9/10/11

We are reviewing the information we have learned about the branches of government. Students have been working hard on the What Branch Am I? worksheet.

Review worksheet

On the back side is a preview of the material we will be discussing in the upcoming days on the Bill of Rights, followed by a short open response. Students should remember to use their "Star" vocabulary in their open response answers -- Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch, veto, separation of powers, and checks and balances!!

Bill of Rights and open response

As always you can find these worksheets in the Government link at the top of the page.

State Branches of Government

9/9/13

Today we are examining the branches of our state government and the requirements of each position.

It is interesting to note the differences and similarities between both state and national offices. Do you think federal officials should have term limits like our state officials do?

Checks and Balances

9/5-9/6

Yesterday (9/5) we concluded our examination of federal branches of government and examined the requirements of federal officials (seen above). If students did not get all of the information, they can copy this chart.

Today (9/6) we analyzed the system of checks and balances to understand how each branch is able to keep the other two in check so no one branch becomes to powerful. We used the worksheets "A Balance of Power" and "Checks and Balances."  (seen below - a pdf version of all worksheets can be found above in their respective link, either Government or Geography). Check out question ten! Students had to decide who they would rather be and give three reasons why they chose that one. Who would you have picked?

Government Unit

9/4/13

This week we are starting our review on Government. As it seems the government is always in the news, it would not hurt to discuss current events with your student to make sure they understand what is going on and how it relates to what they are studying.

At the top is a link for all of the government worksheets we will be using, in case someone forgets theirs at school. Today and tomorrow we will be reviewing the national and state branches of government.

Federal Branches of Government

State Branches of Government