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Welcome to Social Studies!

 

Welcome to Social Studies! My name is Mrs. Secketa and I am honored to be the Middle School Social Studies Teacher at St. Joseph. With a passion for history, I am dedicated to engaging students in interactive activities that help them to connect to the past while understanding its relevance to the modern world.
 
I bring to St. Joe's 30 years of experience as a teacher and as an administrator. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Geography from Augustana College. I next completed a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Barat College and then a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. I am licensed in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.
 
My husband Scott and I have been married for 28 years and live in Antioch with our two children. Matthew and Katelyn are twins and are currently juniors at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Matthew is majoring in Computer Science while Katie in majoring in Business. We have two dogs, Finley and Millie, who complete our family.
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My main goal for my classes is to empower students to become informed, responsible citizens.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

 

Our Courses:

6th Grade: Ancient World History

7th Grade: American History 1400s-1860s

8th Grade: American History 1860s-Present

 

 

 

 

Posts

Week of 1/20/25

6th Grade - Ancient India
  • Geography and the Early Settlement of India
  • Learning about world religions - Hinduism & Buddhism
  • The people of India
7th Grade - Preamble and Bill of Rights
  • Responsibilities of US Citizens
  • Preamble/Bill of Rights Project - to be completed in class
  • Bill of Rights quiz - Friday 1/24
  • Recite Preamble (optional) for bonus points - this week
8th Grade - The Union Challenged
  • The Gettysburg Address
  • Lincoln's Assassination
  • Reconstruction

Week of 10/21

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will build on last week's discussion of how civilizations turn into empires, and how those empires rise and fall. We will begin by studying the Akkadian Empire and the Babylonian Empire. Students will explore the achievements of these empires, including a focus on the Code of Hammurabi. As part of the lesson, students will analyze the Code of Hammurabi as a case study before creating their own set of laws.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will begin Unit 2: Pre-Revolution in the Colonies. This unit will help students understand the sentiments and grievances held by American colonists in the period leading up to the Revolutionary War. We will start by examining the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War, to provide context for the broader events that shaped early American history. Students will also discuss the various taxes and disputes that fueled the path to conflict, including a closer look at The Boston Massacre. Students will analyze different accounts of the event and begin to question who was truly responsible—the colonists or the British soldiers. This investigation will set the stage for our mock trial simulation, The State of Massachusetts vs. Captain Preston.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will participate in the Andrew Jackson Mock Trial, where they will decide whether Jackson was a hero of the common man or responsible for inhumane actions that make him a villain in history. Each student has been assigned a role in the trial, and they will produce, present, and evaluate evidence to reach a final verdict. Additionally, students will begin preparing for a summative test on 10/28. They will receive the study guide this week, and a review session will be held on Friday, 10/25.

Week of 10/14

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will build on their ability to analyze and describe the connections between social structure, government, and religion in ancient Sumer by now exploring arts, technology, and writing. Students will discuss how every society we study this year shares key characteristics, including social structure, government, religion, arts, technology, and writing, and how sometimes these characteristics are similar between societies, while at other times they are vastly different. Understanding this concept will help students develop a more open mindset when learning about cultures and people different from their own. Students will also deepen their understanding of social class by analyzing primary source artifacts from ancient Sumer, allowing them to explain the interactions between different social classes. Lastly, students will begin discussing how communities evolve into empires, laying the foundation for our upcoming study of the four major empires of Mesopotamia.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will wrap up Unit #1: America Before and After Colonization with a summative test on Wednesday, 10/16. Students received the study guide for the test on Friday, 10/11, and will have two in-class study days on 10/14 and 10/15. The test will cover key concepts, including European vs. Indigenous groups, Mercantilism and the Navigation Acts, the Triangular Trade, and Social Class & Government. Afterward, students can look forward to our next unit, Unit #2: Pre-Revolution in the Colonies, which is packed with simulations and a mock trial!

8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will wrap up their study of Andrew Jackson. They will choose one of the key battles during Jackson's presidency, such as Jackson vs. the Nullification Crisis or Jackson vs. the Bank of the United States, and create a "fight card" to explain the fundamental concepts of these conflicts visually. This activity will help students gain a deeper understanding of Jackson's major political battles in a creative way. Students will also discuss their assigned roles for the upcoming Andrew Jackson mock trial, which is now scheduled for 10/23.

Week of 10/7

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will start by using their geographic knowledge to explain the rise of city-states in Mesopotamia. They will also explore the reasons why these city-states eventually faced problems. Building on this, students will delve into the sociological factors behind social class and its impact on individuals and society. As part of learning about the rise of the first cities, students will be introduced to Cuneiform, the first writing system. They will gain a comprehensive understanding of its importance and engage in hands-on activities by creating their own Cuneiform clay tablets. By the end of the week, students will analyze and describe the connections between social structure, government, and religion in ancient Sumer, preparing for next week's lessons.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will begin by building on their understanding of social class from Friday’s lesson, focusing on social class within the colonies. This will lead to discussions about the structure and function of government. Students will analyze and compare the ideas and principles of the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights, exploring how these documents influenced the Mayflower Compact, which they previously studied. Additionally, students will compare the official government structures of both colonial America and Britain. These discussions will end by discussing how political precedents shaped the evolution of self-governing structures in the colonies as students examine various historical documents.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will continue their focus on Andrew Jackson and the major events of his presidency, with a particular emphasis on the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears. To begin, students will analyze primary and secondary sources related to the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to understand its impact on Native American communities, as well as the justifications and opposition to the policy. They will also examine accounts from individuals affected by the Trail of Tears. Students will summarize key events and emotions from "Samuel's Memory" during the Trail of Tears, connecting this to their prior knowledge of the Cherokee Nation's forced removal. Finally, they will write a persuasive letter, either supporting or opposing the Indian Removal Act, from the perspective of an Andrew Jackson administration Cabinet member or a Cherokee Nation member. This week’s lessons will continue building students' understanding of Jackson leading up to the Andrew Jackson Mock Trial!!

Week of 9/30

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will begin Unit #2: The Rise of Civilization. We’ll explore key topics such as Sumerian City-States, Ancient Sumer, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Our focus will be on the transition from the Old Stone Age to the New Stone Age, highlighting how the development of agriculture transformed human life from a nomadic lifestyle to settled communities. We’ll also examine the impact of domestication, surplus production, and the rise of inequality on Neolithic societies, which led to the creation of specialized jobs and new societal structures.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will build on Thursday's discussion of Mercantilism with a simulation where they will trade goods from the mercantilist era. Acting as colonies or countries, they will make decisions based on new rules each round, learning about bargaining and the impact of trade restrictions on profits. Students will also explore how Mercantilism contributed to the development of the Middle Passage and Triangle Trade, highlighting the economic motivations behind the mistreatment of enslaved individuals. This will transition into discussions on the differences between indentured servitude and slavery, as well as social class and stratification in the colonies.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will focus on President Andrew Jackson and the major events of his presidency. They will explore how Jackson, a symbol of the 'common man,' rose from the frontier to the White House and reshaped American politics. Students will discuss the Nullification Crisis, where Jackson defended federal authority as well as his strong-willed governing style. Further, students will analyze his fight with the national bank. This week will build up student understanding of Jackson before our Andrew Jackson Mock Trial - the trial will commence on 10/21!

Week of 9/23

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will have their first summative quiz, where they will demonstrate their understanding of early human species. The quiz will cover key discoveries and capabilities of Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Homo Neanderthalensis, and Homo Sapiens, including their nicknames and the significance of their contributions to human development. We'll have a review session on 9/23, followed by the quiz on 9/24.
 
7th Grade: This week, 7th-grade students will continue exploring early colonial life in America, focusing on colonial power dynamics and cultural conflicts. Students will wrap up discussions on the Salem Witch Trials, examining how fear, suspicion, and group dynamics influenced decision-making in complex situations. Students will also revisit our earlier discussions on Indigenous populations, comparing and contrasting how early colonial life impacted Indigenous communities. As they dive deeper into the American colonial experience, they will discuss mercantilism, the Navigation Acts, and how these concepts shaped the early American economy.
 
8th Grade: This week, 8th-grade students will analyze different perspectives on the Mexican-American War by stepping into the roles of historical figures. They will also continue to study the impact of Manifest Destiny, focusing on the California Gold Rush and the "gold fever" that swept across the country. Through a Gold Rush simulation, students will experience the motivations and challenges faced by those who sought their fortunes during this pivotal moment in history.
 
Special Note:
I hope all the 6th graders have a fantastic time at Camp Duncan!

Week of 9/16

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will begin their study of early hominin groups. They will learn about three critical early human species: Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo neanderthalensis, discussing the characteristics and significance of each. Students will also cover early Homo sapiens as part of this unit. This week's study and last week's material will prepare students for their first social studies quiz on 9/24. They will receive their study guide on 9/20, have access to the review game on the same day, play the review game in class on 9/23, and take the quiz on 9/24.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will continue their study of the 13 colonies, focusing on comparing and contrasting the establishment of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. They will analyze how various factors influenced the social and cultural development of each region. Students will also design a visually appealing brochure aimed at a 17th-century British audience, encouraging them to move to the colonies. Lastly, as we explore colonial life, students will learn about the Salem Witch Trials to better understand how fear, superstition, and authority shaped historical events.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will continue exploring how Manifest Destiny shaped the United States as the nation expanded throughout the 19th century. We’ll examine key historical events and factors that contributed to the acquisition of Florida, the establishment of the 49th parallel, the annexation of Texas, Oregon Country, and the Mexican-American War. In addition, students will engage in an Oregon Trail "choose your own adventure" game in order to reflect on the experiences and challenges of westward travel and imagine what it might have felt like to journey during that era.

Week of 9/9

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will begin their first unit, Unit #1: Historical Beginnings of Early Humans, which explores the rise of human civilization and early human groups. Students will gain insights into these groups by examining the art and artifacts they left behind, helping historians learn more about our ancestors and what life was like thousands of years ago. In addition, students will work in small groups to create a visual "cave art" story using provided symbols, demonstrating their understanding of how early humans communicated through art.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will complete the first half of Unit #1: America Before and After Colonization by taking a quiz on Indigenous groups of North America. They will receive a study guide on 9/9, have a review session on 9/10, and take the quiz on 9/11. After the quiz, we will begin discussing the geographic context of the 13 Colonies, focusing on comparing the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. To enhance their understanding, students will participate in a gallery walk of Jamestown, exploring what life was like in the first permanent English settlement. This activity will help them visualize early colonists' challenges and daily experiences, setting the stage for further discussions on colonial life and regional differences.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will wrap up their Flag Unit with a 16-point quiz on European flags. Last week, the students voted on which flags they wanted to study, and they chose 32 European flags. Their quiz will take place on Monday, 9/9, covering only 16 of the 32 flags. After the quiz, we’ll begin our first American History unit: Unit #2: An Expanding Nation. We'll start by exploring Manifest Destiny in the 19th century and its lasting impact on the 21st century. Students will examine differing perspectives on Manifest Destiny to better understand how expansion affected various groups. To conclude the week, students will dive into a CSI investigation of the Louisiana Purchase. In this activity, they'll discover that someone has attempted to rewrite its history, and they'll need to use their historical thinking skills to solve the mystery.
 
The Spirit of Remembrance Lessons - 9/11
The 6th-grade students will participate in a lesson on September 11th, 2001, to gain a deeper understanding of its historical significance and impact on American society. As part of the lesson, they will also enhance their interviewing and communication skills by conducting interviews with individuals who remember the events of that day. In addition, all middle school students will have the opportunity to view several newspapers from September 12th, 2001, which were generously donated to me this year. This will help them understand how the events were reported and how the nation responded in the immediate aftermath.
 
Extra Credit Opportunity for Middle School:
This Tuesday, September 10th, is the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for the 2024 election. I am offering students an extra credit opportunity to learn more about the political process by watching the debate and identifying two takeaways they have after watching. 
 
Watching the debate is a great way to engage with current events and develop critical thinking skills, all in an effort to foster learning about the debate process.
 
Students wishing to earn extra credit should submit their takeaways through the assignment on Google Classroom, which will open on Tuesday. To receive credit, all submissions must be turned in by 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Week of 9/3

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will continue with Unit #0: Intro to History by earning their Geographer hats. The focus this week will be "Think Like a Geographer." By the end of the week, students will be able to describe and analyze geographic locations using spatial language and maps. They will also learn how being present at an event in a certain location can influence a person's perspective and lead to biases. Lastly, they will think geographically by exploring important locations at St. Joseph and in Libertyville.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will begin Unit #1: America Before and After Colonization. The focus of the week will be the Indigenous groups of North and South America. Students will discuss the implications of labels associated with Indigenous groups, highlighting a greater focus on their complex societal structures. Further, students will discuss migration patterns, cultural developments, and key achievements.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will continue with Unit #1: Flags Around the World. After discussing flag symbols, colors, and their meanings, students will compete to create and present a new flag for a newly independent country. Following the presentations, the class will vote on which continents' flags they would like to learn about and be quizzed on. Student autonomy and choice are crucial in fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in their learning journey. I wanted to give the students a say in their study, as this can significantly enhance their motivation and interest in the subject matter. The decision will impact the entire 8th-grade class. After the vote, the focus of the class will shift that continent's flags; the choices are listed below, and the quiz will be on Monday, 9/9.
  • Flags of Africa
  • Flags of Asia
  • Flags of North and South America
  • Flags of Australia and Oceania
  • Flags of Europe
  • Flags of the World (Combines all the choices above randomly...)
 
 

Week of 8/26

6th Grade: This week, the 6th-grade students will begin discussing the importance of studying history by identifying key concepts and reflecting on their significance. The key concepts we will be discussing are the following:
  • Understanding the World
  • Critical Thinking Skills
  • Informed Decision Making
  • Human Experience
  • Hope for a Better Future
  • Context for Current Events
  • Research Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Sense of Identity
  • Leadership and Resilience
  • Civic Life and Citizenship
Discussing these concepts will take up most of the week as it is of the utmost importance for 6th-grade students to gain a significant understanding of these topics before moving on to larger curriculum topics. To close the week, students will participate in a historical drawing activity called "Hydro History," where they will be asked to identify one era or one figure of Ancient World History and design water bottle stickers.
 
7th Grade: This week, the 7th-grade students will begin diving into American history by defining the characteristics of major eras in U.S. history from 1877 to the present and analyzing the characteristics of American national identity. Using these characteristics, they will discuss major turning points in American history and how we can interpret these turning points by using the "4 Questions of Continuity and Change." To close the week, students will review the seven key themes of American history and select one to write a short paragraph on.
 
8th Grade: This week, the 8th-grade students will start their Flag Unit. They will begin by researching and interpreting the meanings behind the colors and symbols on various flags. They will also analyze and compare the symbolic meanings of colors on different flags and interpret the symbolism behind popular color combinations. Students will participate in an online scavenger hunt to find similarities in specific design elements and symbols. To close the week, they will use their newfound knowledge of symbolism, cultural significance, and design principles to create a flag for the newly independent country of Freshland.
 
History Day: I am happy to announce St. Joseph's 2025 History Day Theme: Rights and Responsibilities. Last school year's History Day was such an amazing event, and I am excited to see how middle school students bring this theme to life. If you look at the bio of my homepage, you will find a Google document with possible themes for students to choose from—while students are not limited to choosing from the topics I picked out, this is a good starting point to get a preliminary idea of what they might want to do. Students will start discussing History Day in November, and more information will be provided in class and through email! If you have any questions about History Day before then, please let me know!

Week of 8/20

Welcome Back! I am very excited about this year and having St. Joseph Middle School students gain a broad understanding of the social sciences. All grades will start with their course overview and take an intro quiz to see what they know/remember and gauge their knowledge of the social sciences. 
 
6th Grade: After the course overview and intro quiz, the 6th-grade students will discuss life without history. They will explore and understand the importance of history by engaging in partner discussions, individual brainstorming, and group activities to imagine how life would be different without historical knowledge. 
 
7th Grade & 8th Grade: After the course overview and intro quiz, the 7th-grade and 8th-grade students will participate in an intro activity called Carrying History. In this activity, they will design backpack paths that represent a specific time period in American History and then discuss the symbolism and historical significance of each patch. 
 
Looking ahead to next week - 
 
6th Grade: Students will begin to understand the importance of studying history by identifying key concepts and reflecting on their significance. 
 
7th Grade: Students will begin to discuss defining characteristics of American history. 
 
8th Grade: Students will start the highly requested Flag Unit, where they will learn about the meaning of flags, the symbolism of flag colors, and so much more!