11.18.25 Our 8th graders are cruising through Chapter 13, exploring the major themes of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion. We’ve been diving into primary sources, watching engaging short videos to build context, and even trying our luck on the classic online Oregon Trail game. Students are comparing different migration routes—including the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and the Mormon Trail—and discussing the challenges, motivations, and cultural impacts of westward movement.
Next week, students will take part in a fun, interactive simulation game that will help them apply what they’ve learned about life on the trail, the choices settlers faced, and the realities of pioneer travel.
This chapter has lot of Key Vocabulary to include: Manifest Destiny, Gold Rush, pioneers, mountain men, prairie schooners, 49ers, boomtown, vigilante
11.10.25 Students are busy preparing for our upcoming Mock Trial: Andrew Jackson—Hero or Villain? Each student has been assigned a specific role, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses. They are currently drafting scripts and witness statements as they prepare to argue their cases. Key issues on trial include the Tariffs and Nullification Crisis, the Spoils System, the National Bank, and the Indian Removal Act. This is designed to be a fun and engaging culminating activity that ties together our Jacksonian Era unit.
Next, we’ll move into Chapters 13 and 14, focusing on Manifest Destiny, the Oregon Trail, the California Gold Rush, Texas Independence and Annexation, and the Mexican-American War.
11.3.25 Heads up, 8th graders: Your Unit Test has been moved to Thursday, November 6th.
This change is due to the flag-laying ceremony following Mass on Wednesday. Use the extra time to review your notes, slides, and organizers—come prepared on Thursday, November 6th.
10.22.25 Upcoming Unit Test – Important Parent Information
As part of the school’s new academic grading system, all students are now required to complete a unit test at the end of each major content area. This test ensures students demonstrate mastery of key historical concepts and themes through cumulative assessment, rather than isolated assignments.
📌 For 8th Grade, the upcoming unit test Wednesday, November 5th.
Early domestic and foreign policies of the first five presidents
The War of 1812
The Industrial Revolution
Andrew Jackson’s Presidency
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Students will receive a study guide to prepare. Your support in encouraging them to study at home and review their notes is greatly appreciated.
10.20.25 This week, students will begin a new unit exploring the presidency of Andrew Jackson, a leader known for both his popularity and controversy. We will launch the unit with a group-based vocabulary activity to build background knowledge and set the stage for deeper historical analysis.
Students will then move into deeper exploration through research and a fun, interactive Mock Trial experience, where they will evaluate Jackson’s actions and legacy.
Students will:
Work collaboratively to analyze key vocabulary terms
Read and take structured notes in class
Be assigned roles (prosecution, defense, witnesses, or justices)
Conduct research using class resources
Present arguments and evidence during the Mock Trial of Andrew Jackson
The trial will focus on four major issues from Jackson’s presidency:
The Tariff Act and the Nullification Crisis
The Spoils System
Jackson Battles the National Bank
The Indian Removal Act
This unit is designed to promote critical thinking, public speaking, and engagement with multiple historical perspectives in a fun and meaningful way.
10.15.25 Students are continuing their study of the early 1800s, focusing on the growing unity and sectionalism that shaped the nation before the Civil War. We are examining key debates over tariffs, the role of the National Bank, the addition of new states, and major Supreme Court decisions that influenced the balance of power between regions. Next, we will move into President Andrew Jackson’s presidency to explore the major challenges he faced — and we’ll wrap up the unit with a student-led mock trial of President Jackson to decide whether his actions were justified.
10.10.25 Students will have a quiz on Chapter 11: U.S. Growth and Expansion / The Industrial Revolution. This chapter has been explored in depth through multiple learning activities:
Scrapbook Project – Students created theme-based scrapbooks to showcase how technology, transportation, communication, and the economy contributed to U.S. growth.
Peer-to-Peer Teaching – Students taught one another in small groups, sharing their scrapbook themes and learning from classmates.
Teacher-Led Reinforcement – Key ideas were reviewed and explained in class through slides, graphic organizers, and guided discussions.
To prepare, students should review:
Their graphic organizers
The two sets of slides
The Reading Essentials
Encourage your student to study these resources so they feel confident and ready for Monday’s quiz!
10.8.25 Students have been hard at work creating scrapbooks to show what they’ve learned about the major themes of U.S. growth and expansion in the early 1800s. Each scrapbook highlights inventions, events, and ideas connected to one of the four themes: Technology, Transportation, Communication, or Economy.
Now, we are taking the next step! Students are using their scrapbooks to teach each other in small groups. Each group presents their theme and shares examples, while classmates take notes and ask questions. This peer-teaching approach helps students learn not only from their own research, but also from the perspectives of their peers.
10.2.25 Students have spent the last two days researching and assembling a scrapbook about a key factor of the United States' growth and expansion in the 1800s. This is the message that I posted to students in their Google Classroom. They may need to work on this over the weekend, but there is NO need for them to meet as a group. They have been instructed to come up with a game plan for dividing their work.
You will have classtime today and Monday to work on your scrapbook.
You may need to divide and conquer over the weekend, so please make sure your group has a plan in place!
The scrapbook is due on Tuesday at the beginning of class.
Please make sure that your group reviews the RUBRIC carefully.
Part of this assignment is an individual reflection paper. Instructions are located in the Google Classroom assignment. The Reflection paper is due on Wednesday at the beginning of class.
9.30.25 Last week we finished our discussion about early foreign and domestic challenges in the early 1800s. We are moving on to the Unit entitled Growth and Expansion. Students will be assigned a group project this week, but most of the work will be completed independently. Details are forthcoming.
9.24.25 Calling All Magazines!
Our Social Studies classes are looking for extra or old magazines to use in a creative classroom project, starting on Monday. If you have magazines at home that you’re finished with, please consider sending them in with your student. We’re especially looking for magazines with images, articles, or ads related to history, culture, geography, or current events.
Your donations will help our students make engaging scrapbooks and projects that bring history to life!
Thank you for supporting learning in a hands-on, fun way!
9.17.25 Students will have their first test on Monday, September 22, 2025. Since this material covers multiple chapters, I have given the students a study guide to prepare.
9.16.25 In social studies, we’ve been exploring early U.S. history through the lens of foreign policy, domestic policy, and alliances. Students have learned about the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, focusing on the growing tensions as Britain and France tried to pull the United States into their European conflicts. We are now moving into our next unit on the War of 1812. A quiz will be announced soon (date TBD).
Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies!
This year, students will study U.S. History from the Civil War through the present day. During our first week, we will focus on classroom expectations, which are posted in Google Classroom for students to reference when needed.
We will then review what we learned last year through a mind-mapping exercise before moving into our first unit.
In the upcoming days, students will be given access to an online textbook.
Thanks much!
Homework Connection
Homework Connection is offered for both Elementary students (Gr 1-4) and Middle School students (Gr 5-8). Students may work on homework with the help of teachers on duty, if needed. A snack is provided. Interest forms are being sent home with students. If you are interested in Friday sessions, please indicate this on the form.
Download the form for Gr 1-4 HERE. Questions about Elementary Homework Connection? Email Mrs. Bennett or Mrs. Meyer.
Download the form for Gr 5-8 HERE. Questions about Middle School Homework Connection? Email Ms. Westfall.