NAME:
Mrs. Smith
SCHOOL:
St. Joseph Grade School, South Bend
CLASS:
Junior High Social Studies
SCHOOL PHONE:
(574) 234-0451
I grew up in Carmel Indiana. I attended the University of Dayton and received an undergraduate degree
in American Studies. I taught for two years in Washington DC with Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic
Education (ACE). I graduated from the program and received my Masters in Education in the summer of
2008. I had a great year last year at St. Joe's and am looking forward to an even better year this year.
6th Grade: Cultures, Regions, and Countries of North America, South America,
and Europe
7th Grade: Cultures, Regions, and Countries of Africa, the Middle East,
Asia, and Oceania
8th Grade: U.S. History -- Exploration through Reconstruction
Social Studies News!!!
6th Grade- The students are wrapping up our study of the United States Government. Students are
creating collages that depict the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. In class we are
starting an activity to simulate how a bill becomes a law in the United States Congress. Students will
randomly pick roles (Senator, Congressman, President etc). Groups of students will draft bills and
then will try to turn them into laws following the proper procedure.
7th Grade- The students have just finished their study of the three major monotheistic religions
(Judaism, Christianity and Islam). They have learned about the history, basic beliefs and customs of
these three religions. We also have learned about how Jerusalem is considered a holy city by all three
religions, and how this causes lot's of tension. We are getting ready to begin our study of the Islamic
Renaissance. Students will learn how Islam spread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Students will begin to research some of the major achievements in art, architecture, science,
mathematics and literature. This research will culminate in a class museum that displays artifacts
from this time period.
8th Grade- The students have finished studying the tense relationship between England and the
American colonists before the Revolutionary War. The students will begin to research colonial
occupations. This research will help them to create a character that lived during this time period.
Throughout our study of the Revolutionary War students will create diary entries from the
perspective of their colonial character.