I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who was able to make it to History Day today. Being able to witness how hard the students worked over the past couple of months and seeing it all come together today was amazing, and I am grateful that so many of you could share in that moment. Today was truly a testament to the students' perseverance and creativity. It has been a privilege to watch them shine over this year. If you weren't here for the awards, I'm thrilled to announce this year's recipients.

 

8th Grade:
1st Place: Bella O.
2nd Place: Gianna S. and Caroline B.
3rd Place: Gianna F. and Addie R.

 

7th Grade:
1st Place: Joey C. and Gabe C.
2nd Place: Kendall M. and Evelyn S.
3rd Place: Kiernan D. and Jason B.

 

6th Grade:
1st Place: Jefferson F.
2nd Place: Ellie B. and Kennedy O.
3rd Place: Campbell A. and Allie M.

 

Special Awards:
Best Trifold Design: Ella H.
Best Primary Sources: Gigi J-F.
Most Thorough Research: Quincy G. and Emmett K.
Best Interpretation of the Theme: Lola G.
Outstanding Collaboration: Kathleen G. and Kaity K.
St. Joseph Choice Award: Bella L. and JoJo S.

St. Joseph's first History Day event is this coming Friday!

The Middle School students have worked so hard creating amazing projects, and we would be so happy to have you witness their hard work firsthand. 

To view the impressive array of posters, simply enter through the Koenig Center doors. History Day will begin promptly at 12:30 PM, and we would be delighted to have you join us!

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will wrap up their study of Ancient China by completing their summative test on Tuesday, 4/30. They will also have a review day on Monday. Starting on Wednesday, we will start our final unit of study, Unit #6: Ancient Greece and Rome. To start, they will engage in inquiry-based image work to learn about the culture, people, and society of Ancient Greece and Rome and look at the geography. 

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th grade students will continue their study of launching the new government of the United States. This week will cover Washington's farewell address to Madison's presidency. We will look at the foreign affairs of the young nation and how the presidents impacted these decisions. They will also make their own Presidential Campaign Slogans reflecting on how these slogans can impact an election. 

 

8th Grade: This week, 8th graders will be exploring 20th-century global conflicts and social change. The focus will be on the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. They will study the history of the Vietnam War and analyze Anti-Vietnam War songs. For the Civil Rights Movement, they will discuss its successes and participate in the "see, think, wonder" activity. On Monday, May 6th, they will have a summative writing assignment to conclude the unit. For this assignment, they will have two options to choose from. Following the summative, they will start the Constitution Unit. The 8th-grade Constitution test date will be announced soon! 

 

History Day: We have finally reached the week of History Day! I am incredibly proud of the Middle School students for putting in so much hard work and effort - their projects are sure to be amazing. Students must bring their trifold on Wednesday, May 1st, and they should bring them straight to the Konieg Center upon arriving at school. On May 3rd, we will be running on a 12:30 schedule, and I would like to invite everyone to come and see all of the fantastic projects on display. During this time, I will also announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of History Day by grade and some special accolades. 

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will be concluding their study on Ancient China this week by exploring the Silk Road. This trade route played a significant role in globalizing different communities from various regions and continents, connecting them culturally and economically. The students will begin by learning about the history of the Silk Road, followed by how geography influenced it. To make the learning experience more engaging, the students will participate in a fun Silk Road simulation where they will earn points based on the goods they trade. Lastly, the students will receive their study guide for the Unit Test on Thursday, 4/25 - The Unit Test will be on Tuesday 4/30

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will begin studying Unit #6: Launching the New Republic. This unit will cover the political developments in the New Republic and help them understand what it meant to be an American in the early 1800s. Their focus this week will be on the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. 

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will be going deeper into their study of 20th-century global conflicts, with a focus on the Cold War. They will begin by looking at the reasons why the Cold War started and decide who was primarily responsible for its outbreak - the Soviet Union or the United States. Additionally, they will participate in a Cold War simulation that will help them gain a better understanding of the historical events surrounding this conflict. Lastly, they will explore the Space Race and discuss why it was crucial for the U.S. to be a leader in technology and science on a global scale.

 

History Day: The official History Day is almost here!! Outside of class students should be working on the finishing details of their projects. All rubrics can guidelines are found on Google Classroom. Students must bring their projects on May 1st - the official History Day is on May 3rd - more details to come about this. 

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will be studying the Han dynasty. They will learn about the expansion of the Han empire, the daily life of people in that era, and the life of an emperor. Toward the end of the week, the students will focus on the Han Golden Age and what factors contributed to it. They will also learn about the impact of the Han Golden Age on China, other regions, and later periods in history.

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will focus on the history of Springfield, Illinois, before going on their trip on Thursday. They will watch a documentary on the topic. 

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will be starting their final history unit of the year, 20th Century Global Conflict and Social Change. This unit will focus on the period from World War II to the Civil Rights Movement. The students will begin by studying World War II, including American neutrality, the Pearl Harbor attack, the war on the homefront, Rosie the Riveter, the historical context of the war, and the creation of propaganda posters.  As a part of this week, they will also be creating their own propaganda poster as a mini-project.

 

History Day:  Students will have one last day to work on the sources they want to print for their project in class. Printing is allowed in class, and extra paper materials are given in class. Students will bring their finished posters to school on May 1st - History Day presentations on May 3rd - more info to come! 

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will be engaging in an extension activity from last week, which will wrap up the study of the three major Chinese philosophies. Following this, they will look at the first dynasty of Imperial China, the Qin Dynasty. Throughout this study, they will explore the creation of the empire and its cultural expansion, conduct a case study on the construction of the Great Wall of China, and conclude by looking at the empire's demise.

 

7th Grade: After completing the Illinois Consitution last week, the 7th-grade students will be moving on to learn about the U.S. Flag Code. They will learn about the various aspects of flag etiquette and symbolism according to the U.S. Flag Code. They will have a closed-note quiz on the topic at the end of the week on Friday, 4/12. 

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th grade students will wrap up Unit # 5: A Modern Nation Emerges. They will learn about the Great Depression and the New Deal, which is the last part of the unit. They will have a summative test on Friday, 4/12, which will cover the US Progression to the US Depression. Students will receive a study guide to prepare for this summative test. Following this they will move on to their last unit, Unit #6: 20th Century Global Conflict and Social Change

 

History Day: Students will have one day to work on the sources they want to print for their project. Printing is allowed in class, and extra paper materials are given in class. They should also work outside of class. 
 
Poster Requirements:
- Trifold Poster - 36 x 48
- Any Color 
- Do not bring posters to school until May 1st!!

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will continue their study of ancient China. They will learn about the Shang dynasty, its social structure, religion, writing, art, and technology. Additionally, they will explore the history of the Zhou dynasty, including the political and cultural issues at the end of the Zhou dynasty. Lastly, the students will examine the fundamental teachings of Confucius, Laozi, and Hanfeizi and how these various schools of thought affected the rule of China.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will review for their Illinois Constitution test on April 5th. They will take practice tests and study the guide provided. Once they complete the Illinois Constitution unit, they will move on to learning about the Flag Code.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will wrap up their World War I study. They will learn about the aftermath in both the world and American contexts. Additionally, the students will participate in a highly requested trench warfare classroom simulation. Once they have completed their study of WWI, they will move on to a discussion of the 1920s and how America changed socially, politically, and economically following the war.
 
History Day: Students will have one day to work in class to start figuring out how to use their sources to build their projects. They should also work outside of class. 
 
Poster Requirements:
- Trifold Poster - 36 x 48
- Any Color 
- Do not bring posters to school until May 1st!!

6th Grade: This week, the sixth-grade students will conclude their study of Unit #4: Ancient India. They will reflect on what they learned before starting their study of Unit #5: Ancient China. To begin the new unit, they will engage in inquiry-based image work to learn about the culture, people, and society of Ancient China. Additionally, they will learn about the geography of the region.

 

7th Grade: This week, the seventh-grade students will continue their study of the Illinois Constitution. They will focus on an in-depth look at the three branches of government—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. They will learn about the current leaders of each branch, what each branch is responsible for, and its structure.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will be studying American Imperialism and the foreign policy decisions made by several American leaders from 1880 to 1920. They will be learning about how these decisions, while beneficial to the United States, caused alienation in other parts of the world. Additionally, they will be exploring the Spanish-American War, the reasons behind the United States' involvement, and the aftermath of the war. This will help them understand how the United States gained an empire and a new status in world affairs.

 

History Day: Students will learn about student voice and argument for their History Day Projects before starting to build their projects. 

 

 

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will begin wrapping up their study of Ancient India by participating in final classroom activities. They will participate in a simulation on Mohenjo-Daro, review the caste system once more, and participate in a job fair for leaders of ancient India. 

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will continue their study of the Illinois Constitution. The goal is to gain a solid understanding of the articles and amendments, as well as to distinguish the similarities and differences between the Illinois Constitution and the US Constitution.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will study the Progressive Era. They will examine the reforms, presidents, and amendments that characterized this era. Additionally, they will focus on Women's suffrage and pay particular attention to the heroic figure of Alice Paul, who was instrumental in advocating for women's rights.

 

History Day: Students will have a day in class this week to continue their research and need to find seven additional sources, making a total of 10 sources required for their project. The due date is March 12th @ 11:59 PM. 
 
Please note that students can have more than 10 sources; any sources they use must be added to their annotated bibliography. The goal of 10 sources was set for students to achieve. Guidelines and rubric for annotated bibliography will be found on Google Classroom.

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will continue their learning journey about Ancient India. They will conclude their unit notes by studying Ancient India's economics and society. After that, they will spend some time enriching their knowledge of India's impact on history by completing a DIY timeline activity. Additionally, they will complete an interactive map activity to help them solidify their understanding of India's geography.

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will wrap up their study on the creation of the constitution by presenting their own constitutions that they have made in their groups. Following this, they will begin Unit #5: Illinois Consitution, where they will begin to learn about our state's history and governmental structure. The unit will end with a summative test on April 5th.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will be studying 19th-century migration and industry. The focus will be on working and living conditions, labor unions, and famous strikes. They will review The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, the Pullman Strike of Chicago, tenement housing, and more.

 

History Day -  Students will have a day in class this week to continue their research and need to find seven additional sources, making a total of 10 sources required for their project. The due date has been moved to March 12th @ 11:59 PM. 
 
Please note that students can have more than 10 sources; any sources they use must be added to their annotated bibliography. The goal of 10 sources was set for students to achieve. Guidelines and rubric for annotated bibliography will be found on Google Classroom

6th Grade: This week, the sixth-grade students will continue learning about Ancient India. They will focus on religion, and they will watch a documentary on the Life of Buddha. They will answer questions and prompts to understand the idea of Buddhism. Additionally, students will conclude their unit notes by learning about Ancient India's achievements, politics, economics, and society.

 

7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will conclude Unit #4 on forming the new nation. They will engage in a Fishbowl Discussion to gain a deeper understanding of the Bill of Rights and the responsibilities of U.S. citizens. Additionally, they will participate in a summative project that involves creating their own Constitution, complete with a preamble, articles, and amendments.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will continue to discuss how the nation transformed. The focus of the week will be the causes of industrialization, immigration, the obstacles faced by immigrants, urbanization problems and solutions, and working conditions.

 

History Day: On February 19th, students submitted their 3 sources and their thesis. They will now continue with their research and need to find 7 additional sources, making a total of 10 sources required for their project. The annotated bibliography with the 10 sources will be due on March 4th.

 

Please note that students can have more than 10 sources; any sources they use must be added to their annotated bibliography. The goal of 10 sources was set for students to achieve. Guidelines and rubric for annotated bibliography will be found on Google Classroom. 

6th Grade: This week, 6th-grade students will wrap up Unit #3, Ancient Egypt and the Middle East, with an open-note summative quiz on Judaism on 2/12. The notes for this quiz can be found on the 2/6 and 2/7 slides posted on Google Classroom. After the open note quiz, we will start our study of Unit #4 Ancient India. We will discuss how geography impacted the early settlement of India, Hinduism/Buddhism, and the different empires that made an impact. 

 

7th Grade: This week, 7th-grade students will delve deeper into the formation of the Constitution. They'll explore the conclusion of the constitutional convention, examining the anatomy of its components such as the preamble, the articles, and the Bill of Rights.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will complete Unit #4: A Union Challenged and Changed, and on 2/13, they will take a summative test. After that, they will start Unit #5: A Modern Nation Emerges, where they will explore how the nation undergoes transformation, businesses grow, working conditions change, labor unions form, and much more.

 

History Day: All students are required to continue working on their History Day project research. They should update their thesis statement with the research they have conducted so far. In addition, they will learn how to create an annotated bibliography in Chicago-style citations for their History Day project. Students must submit 3 sources and the updated thesis on February 19th.

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will be completing their lessons on Egyptian hieroglyphics and their significance in Egyptian society and culture. Once this study is finished, they will delve into the Kingdom of Kush and explore how it influenced Egyptian ideas and interactions.

 

7th Grade: The 7th-grade students will begin a new unit called "Unit #4: Forming a New Nation" this week. Within this unit, they will learn about the compromises that emerged from the Constitutional Convention and how the Constitution created a "more perfect Union". They will also learn about the freedoms that the Bill of Rights gives us and why they are important.

 

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will continue their study of the Civil War era by examining significant events such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the subsequent Gettysburg Address, as well as the assassination of President Lincoln. Afterward, they will delve into the Reconstruction period and gain an understanding of how the country changed significantly following the war.

 

History Day: Last week, the students were taught inquiry skills. This week, they will put these newly acquired skills into practice by beginning their research. They will create a research plan, learn how to find reliable sources, and understand the process of organizing and citing their research. The organizers given to them will be used for submitting their three sources, which are due on February 19th.