Welcome 7th grade Parents and Students!

I hope that you find my website helpful in getting information as to what we are doing in Social Studies class throughout this school year. This year in 7th grade, we will be studying the beginnings of United States history (from the American Revolution through the Reconstruction Era). Keep checking back often as I am constantly updating this website with new information. I look forward to sharing all of the great learning experiences we will have in class this year with you through this website. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have, and let’s work together to make it a great school year!

Mr. Benes

What have we been doing in class?

Week #38 (May 29th)- Congratulations students on a successful year in 7th grade Social Studies! I hope that you learned some new things about our country’s beginning, and use that information to dig into the second half of U.S. History next school year. Best of luck to all of you in 8th grade, and have a wonderful, safe summer!

Week #37 (May 22nd)- In our last week of the school year, students will have time to present their final summative assessment project on Reconstruction. Next week we will be participating in school-wide activities to close out the school year.

Week #36 (May 15th)- This week we began our final unit of study for this school year- Reconstruction. We started by learning of the many challenges that faced the country following the Civil War, and will be concluding with a summative assessment project. Next week students will have time to begin assembling their final summative assessment project on Reconstruction. Please check in with your student to make sure they are completing the “check-points” along the way and are working on their final presentation.

Week #35 (May 8th)- During our final week of the Civil War unit, we learned about Total War and how the Union used this strategy to win the Civil War. We also reviewed and took our Summative Assessment on the American Civil War. Next week we will begin our final unit of study for this school year- Reconstruction. We will begin the unit by learning of the many challenges that faced the country following the Civil War, and conclude with a summative assessment project.

Week #34 (May 1st)- This week examined a few of the major battles in the Civil War and we also learned how Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address changed the focus of the Union public and the soldiers. Next week for our final week of the Civil War unit, we will be learning about Total War and how the Union used this strategy to win the Civil War. We will also be reviewing for our next Summative Assessment which will be on Friday, May 8th.

Week #33 (Apr. 24th)- This week learned how the two main Generals in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee were similar and different in their leadership and fighting styles and how that impacted the next battles of the Civil War. Next week we will examine a few of the major battles in the Civil War and we will also examine how Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address changes the focus of the Union public and the soldiers. NOTE– Our next summative test (on the American Civil War) will be coming up on Friday, May 8th.

Week #32 (Apr. 17th)- This week we focussed on how Americans had to choose sides. We also examined the strengths and weaknesses of both the Union and Confederacy. Next week we will learn how the two main Generals in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are similar and different in their leadership and fighting styles and how that impacts the next battles of the Civil War. NOTE– Our next summative test (on the American Civil War) will be coming up on Friday, May 8th.

Week #31 (Apr. 10th)- This week we focused on learning about the first battles of the Civil War and the resources/strategies each side used to try and get an advantage in the war. Next week we will examine how a change in strategy will help the Union get back into the Civil War. 

Week #30 (Apr. 2nd)- This week we reviewed the effects of Southern Secession and how the beginning of the Civil War was an attempt by the North to bring the country back together again. We focussed on map reading skills and used maps to understand strategies of both sides. Next week we will have shortened class periods due to the 8th grade ISA testing. Because of this, we will focus our time learning about the first battles of the Civil War and the resources/strategies each side used to try and get an advantage in the war.

Week #29 (Mar. 20th)- This week we finished up our study of the abolitionist movement and connected it back to the events that lead up to the beginning of the Civil War. When we return from break we will be learning about the beginning events and battles of the Civil War including the resources and strategies of each side.

Week #28 (Mar. 13th)- This week due to IAR testing we filled in some background details about the Abolitionist movement in the mid 1800’s and how the slavery issue emerged in the United States. Next week we will be finishing up our study of the abolitionist movement and connecting it back to the events that lead up to the beginning of the Civil War.

Week #27 (Mar. 6th)- This week we reviewed all of the events leading up to the Civil War that we have studied so far, and took our cumulative summative assessment. Next week due to IAR testing we will be filling in some background details about the Abolitionist movement in the mid 1800’s and how the slavery issue emerged in the United States.

Week #26 (Feb. 27th)- This week we learned about events like the Dred Scott decision and the Raid at Harper’s Ferry. We examined different perspectives of how these events were viewed and how they brought more tension between the North and South. Next week we will finish with our last event before the Summative, “The Election of 1860”. We will also spend some time reviewing all of the events leading up to the Civil War that we have studied so far, and take our cumulative summative assessment. Next week we will also be reviewing for and taking our cumulative summative assessment (on Friday) over the second half of Unit 6. A study guide (with a Quizlet and Blooket review) will be sent out to students over the weekend through Google Classroom.

Week #25 (Feb. 20th)- This week we finished with our last event before the Summative, “Bleeding Kansas”. We also reviewed and took our check-point summative assessment. Next week we will learn about events like the Dred Scott decision and the Raid at Harper’s Ferry are going to cause even more tension between the North and South.

Week #24 (Feb. 13th)- This week we continued learning how events like the Compromise of 1850 and Kansas-Nebraska Act tore the North and South further apart from one another. Next week we will finish with our last event before the Summative, “Bleeding Kansas”. Next week we will be reviewing for and taking our check-point summative assessment (on Friday) over the first half of Unit 6. A study guide (with a Quizlet and Blooket review) will be sent out to students over the weekend through Google Classroom.

Week #23 (Feb. 6th)- This week we took our Summative Assessment over Unit 5, and we also started learning about the events leading up to the American Civil War- beginning with the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. Next week, we will continue learning how events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and “Bleeding Kansas” tore the North and South further apart from one another.

Week #22 (Jan. 30th)- This week we continued our work in Unit 5- The differences in life between the Northern and Southern United States in the 1800’s. We focussed on the Economic and Geographic aspects of life for people in these regions. Next week we will be reviewing for and taking our next Summative Assessment (on Tuesday) over Unit 5. A study guide (with a Quizlet and Blooket review) was sent out to students this week through Google Classroom.

Week #21 (Jan. 23rd)- This week we reviewed and took our Summative Assessment Test  over Unit 4, Westward Expansion. Next week we will be starting Unit 5, Life in the North and South. In this new unit, we will look at the political, economic, geographic, and social features of life in both the Northern and Southern United States in the 1800’s. Throughout this unit, we will examine how the different ways of life ultimately lead the two sides into a Civil War. 

Week #20 (Jan. 16th)- This week we finished up our study of westward expansion by learning about the events of the California gold rush, the Transcontinental Railroad and their impact on the American belief of Manifest Destiny. Next week we will be reviewing for and taking our next Summative Assessment (on Wednesday) over Unit 4- Westward Expansion. After we take the test, we will start Unit 5- The differences in life between the Northern and Southern United States in the 1800’s. Our next Summative Assessment will take place next Wednesday, (January 21st). A study guide (with a Quizlet and Blooket review) was sent out to students this week through Google Classroom.

Week #19 (Jan. 9th)- This week we reviewed the concept of Manifest Destiny focusing on the events of the Texas Revolution and the Mexican American War. Next week, we will be concluding our study of westward expansion by learning about the events of the California gold rush and its impact on the American belief of Manifest Destiny. Our next Summative Assessment will take place on Wednesday, January 21st. A study guide will be sent out to students through Google Classroom at the end of next week.

Week #18 (Dec. 19th)- This week we learned about the forced removal of the Native Americans and the Trail of Tears. When we return from break, we will be learning about two more events connected to the idea of Manifest Destiny: The Mexican-American War and the California Gold Rush. Have a safe and enjoyable Winter Break! 

Week #17 (Dec. 12th)- This week we continued to examine events connected to the concept of Manifest Destiny focusing on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. For our final week before break, we will learn about the forced removal of the Native Americans and how Texas became part of the United States.

Week #16 (Dec. 5th)- This week we shift back to the history of the United States. Now that our country has formed, we also examined how it begins to grow and how the movement to the new western lands begins. Next week we will examine more events connected to the concept of Manifest Destiny such as the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the forced removal of the Native Americans.

Week #15 (Nov. 21st)- This week we wrapped up our study of Civics with a closer look at the Amendments 11-27. When we return from break, we will be shifting back to the history of the United States. Now that our country has formed, we will examine how it begins to grow and how the movement to the new western lands begins.

Week #14 (Nov. 14th)- This week we took some time to learn about the Medal of Honor and how we recognize our military service members in recognition of Veteran’s Day. We also learned how the government and Constitution of Illinois is both similar and different from the United States. In our last week before the Fall break, we will be focussing on different Social Studies skills that we have used and will be using in the next trimester as we move away from civics and back into the history part of our Social Studies journey this school year.

Week #13 (Nov. 7th)- This week we learned about the rights, responsibilities, and duties of citizenship. We will also reviewed and took our next Summative Assessment. For our final week of the 1st trimester, we will be learning about Veteran’s Day and also how the government and Constitution of Illinois is both similar and different from the U.S. government/Constitution.

Week #12 (Oct. 31st)- This week we more closely examined the Amendments (focussing mainly on the Bill of Rights), and how those Amendments impact people’s lives. We also learned about how Amendments have been interpreted over different historical periods. Next week we will learn about the rights, responsibilities, and duties of citizenship. We will also prepare and review for our next Summative Assessment which will take place on Friday, November 7th. A study guide will be sent out to students through Google Classroom.

Week #11 (Oct. 24th)- This week we finished up our study of the three branches, reviewed, and took our summative assessment quiz. We also began to discuss the Amendments to the Constitution. Next week we will more closely examine the Amendments (focussing mainly on the Bill of Rights), and how those Amendments impact people’s lives. We will also learn about how Amendments have been interpreted over different historical periods.

Week #10 (Oct. 17th)- This week we explored the Executive and Judicial branches of our government. Students learned how laws that are made can be carried out and interpreted by these two branches. Next week we will finish up our study of the three branches with a review of the checks and balances system, and explore why the powers of our government are separated into the branches. NOTE– our next summative quiz of the school year coming up NEXT Wednesday, October 22nd. A study guide has been distributed (through Google Classroom), and there will be an in-class review as well. 

Week #9 (Oct. 8th)- For our short week this week, we examined the Legislative Branch of the United States government. We will focus on its structure and function in making the laws for our country. Next week, we will dive into the Executive and Judicial branches of our government. Students will be learning how laws that are made can be carried out and interpreted by these two branches. HEADS UP– our next summative quiz of the school year coming up Wednesday, October 22nd. A study guide will be distributed, and there will be an in-class review as well. 

Week #8 (Oct. 3rd)- This week we started Unit 3- The Structure and Function of the U.S. Government. We began by learning about the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and the three branches of government. For our short week next week, we will examine the Legislative Branch of the United States government. We will focus on its structure and function in making the laws for our country.

Week #7 (Sept. 26th)-  This week we learned about how a compromise between the states was needed to help the states improve (and eventually replace) the Articles of Confederation. We also took our first test on Forming a Government. Next week we will be starting Unit 3- The Structure and Function of the U.S. Government. We will begin by learning about the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and the three branches of government.

Week #6 (Sept. 19th)-  This week we learned about the factors that are needed to create a new government, how the needs of the people can change their government, and how an event (Shay’s Rebellion) impacted the creation of the government. Next week we will be learning about the compromise that was needed between the states so that we could make a better governing document, and we will be getting ready for our first summative test of the school year coming up next Friday, September 26th. A study guide will be distributed, and there will be an in-class review as well. 

Week #5 (Sept. 12th)-  This week we learned how the colonists pushed back on the King- first with the Declaration of Independence, and then with the American Revolution. We also did an escape room/scavenger hunt activity to learn more about the importance of the Declaration. Next week we will get into how a new government starts to take shape with the Articles of Confederation. 

Week #4 (Sept. 5th)-  This week we spent time learning of the issues that England, France, Spain, and the Native Americans were having with each other on the same continent. We also saw that although England became the dominant power of the continent, if came at a great cost which the King of England wanted repaid. Next week, we will learn of how the colonists pushed back on the King- first with the Declaration of Independence, and then with the American Revolution.

Week #3 (Aug. 29th)-  This week we began our “review unit” leading up to the American Revolutionary War. We started by going way back to learn of how exploration of North America began. We also got our first assignment completed on Friday with a review and some help from our class notes. Next week, we will be completing our review by learning of the challenges in North America (at first between the British and the French), but then between the British and their colonists that leads to the Revolution.

Week #2 (Aug. 22nd)-  Throughout our first full week we learned about the make-up of our class learning styles, and discussed how we will be able to work together. We also took the first steps to creating our “Class Constitution”, and discussed how laws/rules are made for groups. Next week, we will be starting the Social Studies curriculum with a review of the Revolutionary War time period.

Week #1 (Aug. 15th)-  Our first days of class this week were filled with “icebreaker/getting to know you” activities to learn about our classmates. We will also had a quick introduction to preview the classroom, and building behavior expectations as well as all of the things that we will be learning this year in 7th grade Social Studies!