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!