U.S. History Syllabus
Peyton/Hart 2015-16
Course Content
This course will be taught thematically, which means that each trimester we will take the same
broad themes (Immigration; Minority History; Business & Reform; and War & Peace) and work
through each chronologically within a given time period. As we approach the end of the
trimester, and after each theme has been analyzed, we will combine what we have learned into
our final theme of the trimester - American Character and Belief System - to show how America
developed and then changed through the decades and centuries.
We will constantly refer to each theme as we work through them in order to show you the
connection and overlap. You will see this in the visual timeline and theme board posted in the
room.
Instruction/Activities
Classroom instruction will include a variety of methods in order to help you develop the historical
skills needed to be College, Career, and most importantly, Citizenship ready. Among these will
be Whole Group Modified Lecture/Discussion, Small Group Work, Individual Work, all with a
combination of traditional paper and pencil/pen tasks and the use of available technology (your
hand-held device, the school’s iPads, surface tablets, and computer labs). This is an End- of Course Assessment class, so we will also be devoting some class time to preparing you for that
exam. The majority of our work will be done in class; however, we also expect that from time to
time, you will complete introductory assignments on your own which will enable us to devote
class time to interesting, in-depth activities.
Key to all of our activities will be the investigation of America’s historical documents - speeches,
photos, letters, political cartoons, etc. You must learn how to analyze not just the outcome of
America’s historical events, but what the participants in those events thought, said, and did.
Student Responsibilities/Expectations
You will be required to bring your U.S. History 3-ring Binder each and every day. This binder
will house your Unit Schedule & Assessment Checksheet, as well as classroom notes and each
graded assignment.
To be successful in this class you must show up every day prepared. This includes not just
bringing your binder, but having a pen/pencil and a willingness to participate.
Scoring
Formative work - this will include class notes and every assignment which we work on each day,
as well as the notebook itself. Every classroom activity we engage in is geared towards not just
preparing you for the summative exam, but giving you historical analysis skills that will last a
lifetime. This formative work will make up 20% of your overall grade.
Summative work - this will include not just exams, but also certain projects. These activities will
make up 80% of your overall grade, so do not take preparation for, or completion of, them
lightly. At the end of each trimester, our final unit (American Character & Belief System) will
focus on a culminating project that will serve as a final assessment. In addition, the final exam
(the EOC) will be 20% of your grade in the 3rd trimester.