American History

Ms. Snyder American History 2016-2017 Course #0232 Quarter) American History Class Syllabus Credit Earned: 1 Prerequisite: None Level: Regular Textbook: The Americans, A History by Danzer, Klor De Alva, Wilson, Woloch, 1998.

Description: American History is designed for students who read at grade level. This course is based on topics of American History, taught in eras, with an emphasis on learning and mastering historical analysis, interpretation and evaluation. Students will gain skills in researching, communicating, problem solving and thinking.

Expectations: 1. To understand how many cultures from within the territory unite and fight for U.S. independence, emerging as a new nation. 2. Show how the nation establishes itself as a democratic and free market model. 3. See how sectionalism tears at the Union and tests America’s strength to maintain itself as a union, through Civil War and Reconstruction. 4. Understand how political, social and economic factors lead to an industrialized country facing problems and finding solutions. 5. Show how the U.S. engages in reform during the Progressive movement and fights WWI resulting in the U.S.’s birth as a world power. 6. Understand why the U.S. experiences post war prosperity and social change that ends with the Great Depression and the New Deal. 7. See how the United States fights fascism and emerges as an active world power in the fight for freedom. 8. Understand why the U.S. squares off against Communism while significant social change occurs at home. 9. Comprehend why the end of Communism has caused the U.S. to adopt a new global role while experiencing economic prosperity at home.

Areas of Study: Unit Description I Beginnings of American History II Building a Nation III Civil War IV Gilded Age and Industrialism V Progressivism and World War I VI Boom and Bust VII World War II VIII Cold War IX Post War World

Assessment Ms. Snyder American History 2016-2017 Course #0232 Quarter)

Quarter Grades

You will be assessed in several different ways to capture your strong points in learning. The following categories describe the types of assessments and the percentage breakdown included in your total grade for each quarter.

Classwork 35% Homework 15% Projects, Essays and 25% Participation Quizzes /Tests 25% TOTAL 100%

Classwork This includes work done during class including notes, worksheets and reflection writing. Keep up with work in class because this has the most weight in the class.

Homework and Notebook This includes work captured in your notebook such as definitions, journal entries and lecture notes. Homework assessment is based on answering questions in the reading guides.

Projects, Essays and Participation Projects will be conducted on a group or individual basis, depending on the unit and project. Projects may include, writing reports, oral presentations, visual presentations or debate. Essays could be short answer or multi-paragraph on various topics from class.

Quizzes/ Tests Quizzes are based on the readings outside of class and topics discussed in class. They could be multiple choice, matching or short answer. Each unit will finish with a test on the facts learned in the readings as well as classroom discussion. Tests will include a combination of multiple choice, short answer, chart review or true/false.

Semester Grades

Semester grades are based on the following percentage breakdown:

1st Quarter 40% 2nd Quarter 40% Semester 20% TOTAL 100%