U.S. HistoryMr. Bacile

Fall Semester 2012BacileJ@fultonschools.org

770-740-7000

Course Description This course is a survey of the history of the United States from the time of colonization to the present day. We will study both domestic and foreign issues throughout this time period and try to place them in the various social science themes:

1) Social2) Political3) Religious4) Intellectual5) Technological6) Cultural7) Economic

American History can also be broken down to a more basic level. There is a personal story that can be discovered while studying American History: a study of who we are and how we have gotten to the point we are at. An emphasis will be placed on studying these individual elements and how these elements have formed the United States we know of today. In doing this, we will try to develop FOUR main skills throughout the year:

1. Using evidence to construct and evaluate arguments2. Using primary documents to analyze point of view, context, and bias3. Developing the ability to assess issues of change and continuity4. Enhancing the capacity to handle diversity of interpretations

Course OutlineSemester One:Unit 1: Colonial Era (2 weeks) Chapters 2-3 (Various Topics Discussed – Jamestown, Original 13 Colonies, Tobacco

Cultivation) European settlement in North America during the 17th century Economic and social development of British North America

Unit 2: Revolution to Constitution (3 weeks) Chapters 4-6 (Various Topics Discussed – French and Indian War,

Declaration of Independence, Battle of Saratoga, Bill of Rights) Causes of the American Revolution Ideological, military and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution Events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the U.S.

ConstitutionUnit 3: Creating a Nation (3 weeks) Chapters 7-9 (Various Topics Discussed – The Cotton Gin, Louisiana Purchase,

Thomas Jefferson, War of 1812, Jacksonian Democracy, Trail of Tears) Territorial and population growth, and its impact in the early decades of the new nation Process of economic growth, its regional and national impact in the first half of the 19th

century and various responses to itUnit 4: A Divided Nation (3 weeks) Chapters 10-12 (Various Topics Discussed – The Alamo, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Election

of 1860, Battle of Gettysburg, Failure of Reconstruction) Growing north-south divisions and westward expansion Key events, issues and individuals relating to the causes, course and consequences of the

Civil War Legal, political and social dimensions of Reconstruction

Unit 5: Expansion and Reform (4 weeks) Chapters 13-17 – (Various Topics Discussed – Transcontinental Railroad,

Wounded Knee Massacre, Muckrakers, Plessy v. Ferguson, Chinese Exclusion Act)

Growth of big business and technological innovations after Reconstruction Important consequences of American industrial growth Major efforts to reform American society and politics in the Progressive Era America’s stance on immigration at the turn of the 20th century

Textbook Info Title: The Americans by Danzer Publisher: McDougall Littell ISBN: 0-618-58686-5 Price: $64.98

Grading Scale Homework 10% Classwork 15% Test 35% Performance Assessment 25% Final Exam (EOCT) 15%

Classroom Expectations- Please come to class prepared every day. A successful student comes to class every day ready to

work, interact, contribute, and LEARN!- Complete all of your work to the best of your ability. Do NOT leave answers blank.- Contribute to this class. Your beliefs, ideas, and thoughts are important. This class can be as

boring as you would like or as enriching as you would like. A large part of it is up to YOU.- Please be in your seats and ready to begin class when the bell rings. Please get to class on time!- Bathroom/locker passes will be limited and only for emergencies. Take of your errands before

class or during lunch.- Work that is not turned in on time WILL NOT be accepted. I will make sure that I give you advance

notice of due dates,as well as explicit instructions as to how to complete the assignment for a maximum score. It is your responsibility to complete the assignment before it is due.

- No food or drink (besides a personal water bottle) will be allowed in class. You will not be allowed to bring other items

in to class.

Assignment Details- Class work – daily grades taken various assignments during class (maps, activities, handouts)- Participation – ENJOY THIS CLASS! You have to be here for an entire year so make it worth your

while. Come prepared to class, contribute to class discussions, and interact with me and/or other students.- Homework- will be assigned during the week to either reinforce topics discussed in class or

introduce new subjects t0 students. Homework will include reading, questions from the book, short response papers, DBQ questions, etc.- Assessments – at least one quiz and one test will be given each unit and will include multiple

choice, vocabulary, short answer, critical response questions, etc.- Projects – will be announced and will be assigned as either individual or group projects. You will be given a rubric to

know about the expectations required of you.- Notebooks – a notebook must be kept with the following FOUR divisions: class notes, class

work/homework, unit tests,and quizzes.

Milton Honor Code

Materials Needed for Class 3–ring binder w/ dividers (Notes; Homework/Classwork;

Tests; Quizzes) Notebook paper Pencils & Pens Colored pencils or markers EOCT InformationIn the Spring an End of Course Test will be given as part of the State curriculum. The EOCT will be a cumulative exam and will count for 15% of your overall grade for the spring semester, and it will be used as the spring semester Final Exam.

I understand that academic integrity creates a strong academic and ethical environment at Milton High School. I pledge that I will be personally responsible for upholding the values of academic integrity by being honest and not tolerating academic dishonesty.

Make-up WorkMaking up work due to absence is the responsibility of the student. Homework will not be accepted late and will be recorded as a zero. If absent on a day when new material is presented, the student is expected to get the notes from the teacher or another student immediately upon return. A student absent only the day before an announced quiz or test will be expected to take the quiz/test with the class. If absent on the day of a quiz or test, the student is expected to take the quiz or test during the given make-up period. Failure to take the quiz or test during this time will result in the student being able to achieve a maximum grade of 70 percent. Failure to take a unit test prior to the next unit test will result in a zero. If you are in school on a given day and unable to attend class for any reason (early dismissal, TAG, etc.) you are expected to make prior arrangements to take a quiz/test or stop by to pick up or submit assignments. Should you receive a pre-approved absence from the administration, you must make arrangements with the instructor to make up a quiz/test/assignment prior to your absence.

Late Work (Social Studies Dept. Policy)Assignments, including performance tasks/projects, essays, etc. (other than homework which is not accepted after the assigned date) turned in late will receive points off the grade. This includes reasons such as computer/printer problems, work schedules, last minute conflicts, etc.  For each day late, 10% of maximum points possible will be deducted from earned grade for a maximum of 5 school days.  On the 6th day, the grade becomes a zero.  This rule may be relaxed due to extended illness and/or extenuating circumstances that will be determined on a case by case basis by the teacher.

Recovery PolicyOpportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades. Recovery criteria, rules, etc.

Must be failing the class Must be student initiated Have done all the assigned work prior to the first test (no zeroes on assignments) Recover before the next unit test Recovery will involve another form of assessment (i.e. different version of a test, written assignment,

etc.) Highest recovery grade 70%

Remind101I highly encourage you to sign up for Remind101, a free service that allows me to send reminders out about class via text message. No phone numbers are exchanged during the process. I encourage parents to sign up as well in order to stay informed on upcoming due dates and class happenings. Instructions for this will be handed out in class.

Teacher Availability: Please do not hesitate to contact me at any point during the semester with your questions or concerns. The best way to get in touch with me is via email (BacileJ@fultonschools.org). I am available in the morning or during lunch/study hall by appointment for students or parents. Appointments can be scheduled for help sessions, make up exams, private detentions and conferences. Students, please drop by if you are confused or concerned about anything so we can remedy the situation before it becomes a problem.

I’m looking forward to a great year! Go Eagles!

- Coach Bacile

Please read over this syllabus carefully. Both students and parents please sign and date on the lines below. Please tear off this page & return to Mr. Bacile NO LATER than August 17, 2012; keep your syllabus in your US History binder throughout the year. Your signature below indicates that you have read the class syllabus for US History and are aware of class policies, course requirements, grading policies and teacher contact information.

Again, please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions, comments and concerns. I look forward to working with both parents and students to make this year successful.

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Justin BacileBacileJ@fultonschools.org

Student: (please print clearly) Class Period: Student Signature:

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Parent/Guardian (please print clearly) Email (main form of communication): Phone (cell or home):

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