American History I

West Henderson High School

Vanessa Price, Instructor

2018-2019

Course Overview
The American History I course is designed to cover the spectrum of American history from pre-Columbian days
through Reconstruction (1492–1877) . Using chronological and thematic approaches to the material, the course
exposes students to primary and secondary sources and to the interpretations of various historians. Class
participation through discussions, debates, presentations, seminars and role-playing activities is required;
special emphasis is placed on critical reading and writing to help students prepare for future levels of history
and the NC Final Exam. The course is structured chronologically. The course is designed to provide students
with the analytical skills and factual knowledge to deal critically with the problems and materials in US history.

Grading Policies:
The grading scale for West Henderson High School is as follows:
A - 90 -100
B - 80 - 89
C - 70 - 79
D - 60 - 69
F - 59 or below
Semester grades are determined as follows:
Product = 50% (Tests, Quizzes, Projects and Essays)
Process = 50% (Classwork, Homework, Simulation Participation, and Warm-Ups)

You will receive a midterm progress report at the end of the 1​st​ nine weeks. You will receive a semester grade
on your report card at the end of the 2nd nine weeks. Your final grade will be computed as follows:
40% 1​st​ Nine Weeks Average
40% 2​nd​ Nine Weeks Average
20% Final Exam

Late Work Policy

Students must turn in work at the beginning of class. Late assignments will receive 10 points off for every day
that an assignment is late up to 5 days. It will not be accepted after the 5th day. Assignments that are submitted
digitally should be submitted before the beginning of class, or they will be considered late.

Remediation
If a student fails a unit test, I allow students to re-take another version of the test, if students have come to
tutoring before school, after school or during lunch. Students are always allowed to complete test corrections if
they come to at least one tutoring session before they are completed.
Class Attendance:
Attendance in class is very important and any absences from class should be avoided. Excessive absences will
most likely result in poor academic performance. If your absences total 5 or more for the semester, you will not
be eligible for credit. (See the HCPS attendance policy.) Waiver and Saturday School information is available in
the guidance department.

Because tests are announced in advance, being absent from class the day prior to a test does not excuse you
from the test. If you are absent the day of the test, please schedule a day after school to take a make-up test. You
are not guaranteed the same test/quiz or format for make-ups. Please consider having a “study buddy,” someone
who will give you missed notes/handouts if you are absent.

Student Assistance:
I am available to help before and after school. Please have the courtesy of making an appointment.

Extra Credit:
Extra credit will be offered through questions on tests, quizzes, and questions prior to the bell ringing only.

Classroom Rules:
Students are expected to follow all school and HCPS rules and regulations. Students should behave in a manner
conducive to a learning environment, showing respect to their peers, instructor and the subject matter.
● You will be on time for class and be prepared. .
● You will not have cell phones or iPods/music players out in class. If I see these things, I immediately
take them (no questions asked) and return them at the end of class.
● You will be respectful to yourselves, each other, and your teachers
● You will do the best that you can every day, always trying to be as good as you can be.

Materials​:
Please bring the following material to class on a daily basis:
- Organized binder (loose leaf paper; dividers)
- Pen (blue or black and at least one other color), pencils, highlighter
 Course Outline
This is the basic breakdown for the course. Most lessons will take more than one day.

Unit 1: Pre-Columbian Civilizations through Unit 4: Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Manifest

Colonization Destiny
1.1 Pre-Columbian Civilizations 4.1 Nationalism and Sectionalism
1.2 Europe and the Age of Discovery 4.2 Jackson Administration
1.3 New World Empires 4.3 North and West
1.4 Jamestown and the Chesapeake 4.4 The South
1.5 New England 4.5 Religion and Reform
1.6 The Other American Colonies 4.6 Manifest Destiny
1.7 Life in Colonial America 1 4.7 Mexican War
1.8 Life in Colonial America 2
Unit 5: Civil War
Unit 2: Revolutionary America 5.1 Irreconcilable Differences
2.1 Colonial Wars 5.2 Countdown to the Civil War
2.2 Heritage of the Seven Years War 5.3 Civil War to Emancipation
2.3 A Worsening Crisis 5.4 Gettysburg to Appomattox
2.4 Road to Independence 5.5 Reconstruction
2.5 The War in the North 5.6 The End of Reconstruction
2.6 The War in the South
2.7 Legacy of the American Revolution
Unit 6: Emergence of Modern America
Unit 3: Washington to War of 1812 6.1 The End of the Indian Wars
3.1 The Articles of Confederation 6.2 Frontier Life
3.2 A New Constitution 6.3 Big Business
3.3 Washington and the 1​st​ Two Political Parties 6.4 Rise of Labor
3.4 Federalist and Foreign Affairs 6.5 Urbanization and Immigration
3.5 Jefferson’s Administration 6.6 City Life
3.6 War of 1812