U.S. HISTORY

COURSE: U.S. History Level 1
COURSE LENGTH : one year
COURSE VALUE: one credit

This course begins with a four to six-week review of pre-Civil War America. Emphasis will be placed upon the domestic issues of the Post-Reconstruction Period, the labor unions, and the settlement of the West. In addition, the Spanish-American War, forgein policy and the causes and effects of World War I will be primary units. The second semester will deal with twentieth century America, concentrating on the "Roaring Twenties," the Depression, and World War II. The Korean and Vietnam conflicts, as well as units on the New Deal, the Cold War, the Kennedy-Johnson years and Watergate will be stressed. Projects and cooperative learning activities will be assigned to help students gain a better understanding of our Nation's history.

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Establishing A New Nation
   1. The American Revolution
   2. A Nation Arises
   3. The Nation Takes Shape
   4. Our Changing Constitution

2. Progress Of The New Nation
   1. The Jefferson Era
   2. The Growing United States
   3. The Age of Jackson
   4. Reform and the Antislavery Movement

3. Conflict And Reunion
   1. Cultural Nationalism, Expansion, and War
   2. A Nation Divided
   3. A Nation Reunited
   4. Gettysburg- The Turning Point

4. The Transformation Of A Nation
   1. The Age of Industrialization
   2. The Emergence of Modern America
   3. A Changing Social Order
   4. The Populist Crusade

5. The Challenge Of Power And Prosperity
   1. The Great Crusade
   2. The Return To Normalcy
   3. Society and the Roaring Twenties
   4. The Women's Rights Movement

6. Depression And Global Conflict
   1. The Era of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
   2. Depression Society
   3. Foreign Policy and Global Conflict
   4. The Modern Labor Movement

7. World Leadership In The Nuclear Age
   1. The Challenge of World Leadership
   2. Politics and Economic Growth
   3. Politics and Social Change
   4. The Struggle for Racial Equality

1. The United States Its Past, Purpose, and Promise
2. US History Map Activities
3. Newspaper Articles

Students will:

1. define history and demonstrate their understanding that today's events are tomorrow's history;

2. list major events in sequence that describe the history of America from its start to present times;

3. describe how the American system of government was formed by the Constitution;

4. explain why America is a "nation of immigrants" and tell how immigrant groups contribute to American life today;

5. define the term "new frontiers" and describe how mobility, migration, and expansion are still part of American life;

6. describe the changes in American lifestyles and work habits brought by the Industrial Revolution;

7. show that the past shapes the present by describing how an event from the past affects their lives today;

8. list examples of how Americans have strived to remain free and independent and how they strive today to extend liberty and justice to all Americans;

9. explain why America is viewed as the land of opportunity and give examples of people who found better lives in America;

10. explain how America came to be a world power;

11. identify at least one challenge facing them as Americans in the years ahead in world affairs, the environment, the workplace, and their personal lives;

12. acquire information from literature and primary and secondary sources through listening, observing, reading, and using community resources;

13. locate information in textbooks and references such as encyclopedias, specialized dictionaries, and almanacs;

14. compile, organize, and evaluate information from reading materials and other media by selecting main ideas and identifying supporting details;

15. gather current information in a variety of ways, such as through newspapers, television, interviews, etc.;

16. analyze problems and reach conclusions by gathering evidence, drawing inferences, making generalizations;

17. organize and express ideas clearly in writing, speaking, journal entries, art, oral presentations, etc.;

18. make an outline, chart, or take notes;

19. extract and interpret information from maps, graphs, time lines, pictures, and political cartoons;

20. place in correct sequence major events in history;

21. locate on a globe or map important places in the United States and the world.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. define history and demonstrate their understanding the today's events are tomorrow's history.

2. list major events in sequence that describe the history of America from its start to present times.

3. describe how the American system of government was formed by the Constitution.

4. explain why America is a "nation of immigrants" and how immigrant groups contribute to American life today.

5. define the term "new frontiers" and describe how mobility, migration, and expansion are still part of American life.

6. describe the changes in American lifestyles and work habits brought by the Industrial Revolution.

7. show how Americans have strived to remain free and independent and how they strive today to extend liberty and justice to all Americans.

8. explain how America came to be a world power.

9. explain why America is viewed as the land of opportunity.

10. identify at least one challenge facing them as Americans in the years ahead in world affairs, the environment, the workplace, and their personal lives.

11. acquire information from literature and primery and secondary sources through listening, observing, reading, and using community resources.

12. locate information in textbooks and references such as encyclopedias, specialized dictionaries, atlases, and almanacs.

1. Essays
   

   Assesses ability to evaluate facts, information, and knowledge of topic.

2. Projects
   

   Assesses thinking, application and synthesis of subject matter. Topics are assigned.

3. Collaborative Activities
   

   Assesses ability to work with others toward a common goal. Tests organizational and interpersonal skills as well as responsibility training.

4. ObjectiveTests and Quizzes
   

   Assesses ability to choose alternative explanations and some factual or content mastery.

5. Oral Presentations
   

   Assesses ability to speak fluently after researching or analyzing information. Topics are student or teacher directed.

6. Notebooks
   

   Assesses organizational skills, ability to take notes from class discussion, lecture, and readings. Assesses completed work over a period of time.

Guidelines:

1. Do your best!!

2. Be on time. If late, have a note.

3. Cooperate with your classmates and me.

4. Bring your three-ring binder / notebook, your text and a pen / pencil to class daily.

5. Maintain a gradesheet.

6. Make-up is on Tuesday after school. Please make necessary arrangements for make-up or extra help at that time.
   GRADING POLICY

   Varies according to instructor. Areas to be graded include tests, quizzes, homework, notebooks, group work, classwork, and special projects. Specific policies will be given to students at the beginning of the course.