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.