This week, 6th grade students are learning about Jacksonian America. Today, we discussed a few of the wars Andrew Jackson waged during his presidency. We discussed South Carolina, Calhoun, and nullification, and students did a great job connecting this event to the reasoning of the Alien and Sedition Acts. They also were able to make the connection to the Civil War, which we will study toward the end of this semester. After learning about Jackson’s distaste for the National Bank, students began to examine five Native American tribes in the southeastern United States: the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole. Students broke into small groups to research the history of these tribes. They will take time to examine the Indian Removal Act of 1830, as well, and look at the forced migration of these people. As part of their research, students are responsible for finding a primary source to tell the story of their chosen tribe more fully.

Seventh and eighth grade students are working on wrapping up their presentations on revolutions around the world, and then the classes will move onto learning about the Market Revolution. One student did a great job teaching the class about the first American industrial revolution, which connects wonderfully to this set of lessons. Students will look at the new inventions that made American life more efficient, including inventions that made work and communication easier and that made transportation much quicker. As part of this set of lessons, students will discuss the role of the local, state, and federal governments in funding internal improvements.

High school is wrapping up the Gilded Age and moving into the Progressive Era this week. Throughout these lessons, they will also look at the West, Henry Grady’s idea of the “New South”, and the Spanish-American War. High school students will frequently examine primary sources throughout these lessons to understand the different events taking place during the years from 1877 to 1914.

Seventh grade geography class has wrapped its presentations of Asia and is moving onto Oceania. Students are working to design projects that show an understanding of this region, and the brainstorming will continue through this Thursday. Some ideas include creating a news show, crafting a habitat, or creating model villages on an island in Oceania.