United States History to 1865
Teacher: Lisa Bellish
Email: lisa.bellish@lcps.org
Course Description
We will be studying the beginnings of our nation’s history, focusing on the people, places, and events
that helped make the United States of America what it is today. Below is a general list of what we’ll
be learning about over the course of this year. Each unit will take 4-6 weeks.
● Native Americans – Archaeology, Key Native American Tribes, Relationship with the Natural
Environment
● Age of Exploration – Motivations for and Obstacles to Exploration, Key Accomplishments and
Claims of Explorers, European Interactions with Native Americans, Impact of West African
Societies
● Colonial America – Reasons for Colonization, Early Colonies and Settlements, Colonial
Regions, Social Roles, Relationship with Great Britain
● American Revolution – Events Leading to Independence, Key Ideas About Government and
Rights, Important People and Battles, Reasons America Won
● Birth of a Nation – Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, Writing and Structure of the
Constitution, Accomplishments of the Presidents
● Westward Expansion and Reform – Territorial Expansion, Reasons for Moving West,
Significant Inventions, Abolition and Women’s Suffrage Movements
● Civil War – Issues Dividing The Nation, Secession, Important Political and Military Leaders,
Major Battles and Strategies, Impact of the War
● Geography – Continents and Oceans, Latitude and Longitude, Land Features, Mountains and
Rivers, Geographic Regions of North America
Supplies
The following is a list of supplies necessary for
every class:
● 3 ring binder (1.5”)
● 8 tabbed dividers
● Loose leaf paper
● Pens and Pencils
Important Dates
End of Grading Period 1: October 30,2015
End of Grading Period 2: January 28, 2016
End of Grading Period 3: April 14, 2016
End of Grading Period 4: June 14, 2016
Social Studies Grading Policy 2015-2016
My goal is for every student to achieve success.
Formative Assessments are more frequent tasks that allow you to demonstrate your progress
towards a particular learning target. Formative assessments are designed to give you feedback along
the way so that we can identify areas in which you need a little more practice. These tasks will be
scored, but not part of the cumulative grade. Formative assessments are important in helping me
determine if you need extra help or enrichment.
Summative Assessments are periodic tasks that represent your progress and learning of a topic or
unit. Summative assessments will be the foundation of your grade in this class; these tasks will be
scored and are part of the cumulative grade. Grades will be divided into three categories. The three
categories are tests, quizzes, and projects.
United States History to 1865
Re-teach/Re-take Policy allows students to learn at different rates and in different ways. This policy
provides equity and allows students to demonstrate mastery.
69% and below: Teacher-Directed Reassessment
● Students are required to attend a re-teaching session, complete the ‘Request to Retest’
document, and re-take the assessment.
70% and above: Student–Directed Reassessment
● Students who receive a 70% or above on a summative assessment (quizzes and tests) may
request to re-take the assessment. A retake will be administered if all assignments are
complete prior to the test date and upon the student’s completion of the “Request to Retest”
document.
The following protocol applies to all retakes.
Quizzes and Tests:
1. Student completes the “Request to Retest” document and submits to teacher.
2. Attend a scheduled re-teach session.
3. Retake the assessment within two weeks from the time the assessment has been returned to the
student.
4. Students are provided one opportunity to show they have improved their mastery of the content.
5. Students will be able to complete “student - directed reassessments” if all assignments are
complete prior to the summative date.
Performance Based Assessments and Projects:
Students will receive teacher feedback throughout the drafting process regarding necessary
revisions. Students are expected to incorporate the revisions into their final projects and essays.
Therefore, final products that earn a grade 70 or above are not eligible for retakes.
Grade Communication
Please check PHOENIX throughout each quarter for up-to-date grades. If you have any questions,
please contact me via email and I will respond within 24 hours. Please note, it may take up to 10
business days to thoughtfully assess student work and enter grades into Phoenix.
Flipped Classroom Model/Homework Expectations
Throughout the quarter, student’s homework assignments will include such things as content videos,
analyzing images, or responding to articles and submitting work via Google Classroom
(classroom.google.com). Each student will receive login information in class.
Electronic Submission of Student Work
All work submitted electronically must include the specific information in its’ title.
● Format: Block# Lastname First initial Assignment title
○ Example: 4 Lincoln A. Gettysburg Address Rewrite
We are looking forward to a great year together!