American History Course Syllabus - SCHOOLinSITES



American History Course Syllabus

williamslel@mail.gcps.k12.fl.us

Teacher: Mrs. Lelia C. Williams

Planning period: Fourth

Room 418

Textbook: The American Vision: By Glencoe McGraw Hill Company

Student’s Name _________________________________________________________

Parent’s signature _______________________________________________________

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the development of the United States within the context of history with major focus on the post-Reconstruction period. Students will use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures and humanities to solve problems in academics, civic, social and employment settings.

Specific Objectives

Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of political, economic and social events, ideas and people affecting the developments in America. The content will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. develop an appreciation for the study of history.

2. develop an appreciation and understanding of the process of history inquiry.

3. develop a better understanding of the history of the United States-in political, economic, social and cultural terms.

4. develop a better understanding of great issues that are at the heart of American History.

5. improve writing, research, and critical reading skills.

6. improve thinking skills-specifically to develop the ability to analyze historical arguments.

7. develop an understanding of present-day United States History and our relationship to the country.

8. interpret and apply data from original documents, including cartoons, graphs, letters, etc.

9. effectively use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, compare and contrast.

10. work effectively with others to produce products and solve problems.

11. prepare for and successfully pass FCAT Reading, Writing, and ACT.

Procedures, Rules, and Guidelines

Classroom Rules: This class will adhere to school rules listed in the Student Code of Conduct booklet as well as the classroom rules that are posted in the class. The classroom rules are listed and posted in the front of the classroom.

Attendance is very important. To make sure that you are learning and understanding the materials being taught, you must be in class. Some activities can not be made up, such as class participation, daily quizzes. Failure to be in class will result in your receiving zero. After three un-excused absentees from class, your final grade will drop a letter grade (i. e., 80 – 70) and so forth.

Class Procedures:

• If you are tardy, upon entering the classroom, you will sign the tardy form located in the blue notebook located on the front desk each time you are tardy. Steps will be taken according to the Behavioral Management form. Excessive tardiness to class will cause a decrease in your academic grade. After three (3) unexcused tardies, you will loose two points each for every additional tardy, which will be calculated and deducted from your final grade (i. e., Your grade is 70, but you have been tardy five (5) additional times, the grade you will receive will be 60 (5x2=10-70=60). In order for you to learn and keep up with your assignments, I need you in class everyday.

• Sharpen your pencils before the tardy bell sounds. If your lead breaks, get up quietly and sharpen your pencil.

• Read the board daily, you will find important information and dates listed

• Check the slots in mini-file cabinet located on top of the large file cabinet beneath the television for missed assignments on the day(s) you were absent. These assignments will be due on the next time the class assembles. Failure to comply with due dates will cause you to be penalized (points taken from grade or given a zero). You will be asked to sign and date form verifying that you had an opportunity to make up missed assignments and tests. If you had not completed missed assignments in three days, the assignments/tests will be taken from designated location, given a grade of ZERO, and placed in your folder. The only way you will be able to make up these assignments is YOU must have a legitimate excuse.

• Review notes on a daily basis

• Make sure that your work contains your name, subject, date and class period

• Students are required to keep a notebook/folder in which they will place notes and other pertinent information.

• Keep your area clean, check around your desk for personal items and trash, push your chair under the table

• When, individual work is given, students must do their own assignments. Students who copy their assignments, give or receive answers from other students will result in parties involved receiving a zero. This is cheating. Think for yourself

• Absolutely no sleeping in class. You are expected to participate and stay on task. Failure to comply with this or any other rule will result in a phone call and a registered letter to your parent(s).

• Every student is expected to bring these working materials to class daily. These materials will include:

▪ Textbook (needed daily)

▪ Paper

▪ Writing Apparatuses (pencils, pens, colored pencils)

▪ 3-Ring Binder (2’’) notebook

▪ Dividers (labeled anchor activities/seatwork, homework, quizzes, comprehensive hand-outs)

▪ Folders(2) with pockets and fasteners)

▪ USB (Travel Drive)

▪ Sleeve Protectors

Students will be required to have all materials by September 7, 2007.

The bell does not dismiss my class. I do!!

Grading System

Each student is required to participate in class discussions. Your grades will be calculated as follows:

Class Participation 20%

Test 20%

Comprehension 15%

Notebook /Journal 10%

Semester Exam 15%

Historical Products/Projects 20%

Total 100%

The grading policy is as follows:

A= 90-100 B= 80-89 C= 70-79 D= 60-69 F= 59 below

Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on preparations of class discussion, participation, tests, quizzes, current events, individual and group projects, etc. To reinforce or assess learning the following activities will be used:

Class work/mini lessons/quizzes

Cooperative Learning/Group activities

Homework

Notebook/Journal

Tests

Projects

Presentations

Anchor, Plexers, Brain Teasers

During or upon completion of each chapter, students will produce a project or product. A rubric will be used to grade projects products.

Important Message: Racial slurs, remarks, name-calling, will not be tolerated in this class. The principal and I will reprimand students who resort these techniques. To use this type terminology or gestures is in violation of the Student Code Of Conduct and students will be dealt with accordingly.

Before we begin our lessons for this semester, you will be given an overview of things that took place in history. Afterwards, we will be ready to begin our study in Unit 1 and move toward the end of our textbook. You will have several projects that will be due. Most of them will be done outside the class. These projects/assignments must be turned in on the due dates. Late assignments/projects will not be accepted.

First Nine Weeks: Units 1--7

Unit 1: Three Worlds Meet-Beginning to 1763

Chapters 1-3 (2 Weeks)

Unit 2: Creating a Nation-1754-1816

Chapter 4- 6 (3 Weeks)

Unit 3: Young Republic-1789-1850

Chapters 7-9 (3 weeks)

Unit 4: The Crisis of Union: 1848-1877

❖ Chapters 11-12 (3 Weeks)

Unit 5: The Birth of Modern America: 1865-1900

❖ Chapters 13-16 (4 Weeks)

Unit 6: Imperialism and Progressivism: 1890-1919

❖ Chapters 17-19 (3 Weeks)

Unit 7: Boom and Bust: 1920-1941

❖ Chapters 20-23 (41/2 Weeks)

Second Nine Weeks: Units 8-10

Unit 8: Global Struggles: 1931-1960

❖ Chapters 24-27 (4 1/2 Weeks)

Unit 9: A Time of Upheaval 1954-1980

❖ Chapters 28-31 (4 ½ Weeks)

Unit 10: A Changing Society 1968-Present

❖ Chapters 32-34 (4 Weeks)

Assignments/Projects/Due Dates

❖ Personal Photo Write due August 31, 2007

❖ What Does It Mean to be an American? (TBA)

❖ Presidential Photo Write due (TBA)

❖ Historical Interview due (TBA)

❖ Historical Project based on History Fair Theme 2007 (TBA)

Directions and rubrics to each assignment will be given in plenty enough time for you to complete and turn in assignments on time

The sequential order of teaching units in the textbook may change.

The following websites will be used by students to help with completing assignments and projects:

• tav. This website contains your textbook and is a good resource to assist you with an overview of each chapter in your textbook.

• This website has a plethora of information. It is a great resource for doing projects

• This website will help you with current events and documentaries

• This website will help you to locate historical records and documents

• This website will show you different format/styles for writing a paper

• - This website will show you different ways to cite your references, bibliographies, etc,

Welcome to American History. I hope this class will be learning as well as a rewarding experience for you; therefore, set your goals and aim high. The content of this course focuses on the political, economic and social events that have shaped the modern United States. You will be viewing and interpreting periods in American history from various perspectives, including historical geographic, political, economic, and cultural. Together the perspectives can help you understand how the past led to our present and to appreciate your role in shaping our future. “If You Believe It-You Can Achieve It!”

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download