United States History 1 – Course Syllabus
Mr. Reynolds – Room D234 (Susan B. Anthony Building)
Phone 732.981.0700 ext. 7022
E-mail: preynolds@pway.org
Extra Help: Before and after school by appointment
Course
Description:
United States History 1 is a 5 credit, full-year course fulfilling the United States
History 1 graduation requirement. The course covers the American Experience
from the age of exploration to the turn of the twentieth century. Students will
learn about the Native American, African-American, and immigrant experience
throughout this time period as well as allow students the opportunity to learn
about the nation’s quest for independence and the formation of our Constitution.
Textbook:
The Americans. Textbook must be covered and should be left at home or in your
locker. We will have a classroom set to use as needed.
Materials
Needed:

Classroom
Expectations:


BE ON TIME to class with all class materials and be respectful to others.
Complete all assigned work ON TIME. Extenuating circumstances will
be dealt with individually.


Side conversation and talking during instruction is prohibited.
Please refer to the Piscataway High School Student Handbook and the
Code of Student Conduct for specific rules and expectations related
to district attendance policy, policy on cuts and lateness to class,
cheating, plagiarism, and the use of electronic devices.
Grade
Distribution:
A notebook, and a three-ring binder or folder.
 Pen (blue or black) or pencil at all times. If consistently do not have a
writing utensil it can negatively impact your class participation grade.
The following grading scheme will remain the same for each of the four marking
periods:
10% - Homework
15% - Quizzes
20% - Class Work, Participation, Preparedness and Group Work.
20%- Term & Class Projects, Writing Assignments
35% - Tests
Grading Policy:
In accordance with school policy, the following grade distribution will be used to
calculate the final grade for this course:
22% - First Marking Period
22% - Second Marking Period
22% - Third Marking Period
22% - Fourth Marking Period
12% - Final Examination
Course Schedule: Scope and Sequence
Approximate Time Frame
September/October –
Marking Period 1
November/December/
January –
Marking Period 2
Topics/Skills/Areas of Study
Unit 1: American Beginnings to 1783 (Chapters 1-3)

Three Worlds Meet, 1200 B.C. – A.D. 1500

The American Colonies Emerge, 1492-1681

The Colonies Come of Age, 1650-1765
Skills:

Develop newscasts of the past

Humanities Assessment: Salem Witch Trials

Understanding and answering questions for content

50 States and capitals map skills

Free Response Essays; Cornell Notes; content specific vocabulary.
Unit 2: A New Nation (Chapters 4-6)

The War for Independence, 1765-1783

Shaping a New Nation, 1781-1788

Launching the New Nation, 1789-1816
Skills include:

Document Based analysis; Cornell Notes, Free Response Essays; vocab.

The Constitution in action: skills builders on how to interpret the document

Humanities Assessment: Leadership Poster and Essay

Essay writing connected to the American Revolution- loyalist vs. patriot

February/March/April –
End of Marking Period 2
Start of Marking Period 3
March/April –
End of Marking Period 3
Start of Marking Period 4
May/June –
Marking Period 4
End of June –
Final Examination
Unit 3: Growth and Change (Chapters 7-10)

Balancing Nationalism and Sectionalism, 1815-1840

Reforming American Society, 1820-1850

Expanding Markets and Moving West, 1825-1847

The Union in Peril, 1850-1861
Skills include:

Document based analysis; Cornell Notes; content specific vocabulary

Humanities Assessment: Research Paper

Research project dealing with reformers and their movements

A look at the African-American experience through “Roots” and “Amistad”.
Writing assignment in relation to these films to follow.
Unit 4: Disunion and Reunification (Chapters 11-12)

The Civil War, 1861-1865

Reconstruction and Its Effects, 1865-1877
Skills include:

Document based analysis; Cornell Notes; content specific vocabulary

Focus on the Civil Rights Amendments of Reconstruction

Study of the film, “Glory”; writing task associated with the film.
Unit 5: Migration and Industrialization (Chapters 13-15)

Changes in the Western Frontier, 1877-1900

A New Industrial Age, 1877-1900

Immigrants and Urbanization, 1877-1914
Skills include:

Document based analysis; Cornell Notes; Free Response Essays

Humanities Project: Fahrenheit 451

Content specific vocabulary

Student created political cartoons related to immigration and American policy
towards Native Americans
The Final exam will cover

Units 3-5/Chapters 7-15
Additional Requirements/Expectations
Make-Up Work/Absenteeism: The school policy on absenteeism will be enforced. It is the student’s
responsibility to get all missed notes and class work/assignments. You have the number of days you were
absent to make up missed work. It is the student’s responsibility to show it to me upon your return.
***If you decide to come to school late or sign out early to avoid handing in work for my class,
consider it late-If you cut class you will get a ZERO for that days assignment-even if it is a test.***
Complete all assigned work ON TIME. If you know you are not going to be in my class but are present in school
(including field trips) you are still expected to hand in your work on time.
Late work will be accepted as follows:
 Projects: 10% will be deducted for day late.
 Homework: If the HW assignment is collected, you can hand it in 1 day late for ½ half credit. If the
assignment is checked at the beginning of class no late HW is accepted. Your lowest homework grade will be
dropped each MP.
 Classwork: Class work is meant for just that, class – no late class work will be accepted.
 Tests/Quizzes: You have one week from the time a test or quiz is administered to make up the test. If you
have not made the effort to make up the test/quiz before, during, or after school IT WILL BE A ZERO.
**Side note** If you have a pass to see your counselor or are asked by another teacher to stop by their room
during my class time you must come and see me first – I have no problem writing you up for cutting – ask any of
my previous students.
Passes:
DO NOT ABUSE PASS PRIVILEGES. IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON TO MESS IT UP FOR THE
ENTIRE CLASS (You have all been here long enough, you know what I am referring to). IF SOMEONE DOES, I WILL
HAVE TO ENFORCE AN ELEMENTARY-LIKE RULE SUCH AS, “ONLY ONE PASS PER WEEK”,
“YOU WILL HAVE TO SIGN OUT ON A SPECIAL CHART”, NEVERMIND DISRUPTING THE
ENTIRE CLASS, MAKING A SPECTACLE OF YOURSELF, ETC.
Tardiness: Be on time!!! Please refer to your student handbook/code of conduct for discipline procedures
related to lateness to school/class. You will be assigned a MP grade of 64% if you receive 3 or more cuts a
marking period or a combination of lates/cuts. (Remember, 2 lates = 1 cut…10 minutes late equals 1 cut). And
yes, I will look up your schedule and find out where your previous class was. Please don’t argue with me on these
matters.
Some other important things:

RESPECT YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES AND YOUR TEACHERS – WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS OPINIONS ON MATTERS & TOPICS DISCUSSED IN CLASS.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE GIVEN.

RAISE YOUR HAND IN ORDER TO SPEAK & REMAIN IN YOUR SEAT UNLESS OTHERWISE
GIVEN PERMISSION.

BE PREPARED FOR CLASS EVERYDAY WITH A WRITING UTENSIL AND NOTEBOOK.

(SEE YOUR HANDBOOK)!!!!!
Mr. Reynolds, US History I, 2015-2016
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By signing below I have verified that I have read the syllabus and will abide by the procedures which have been
laid out.
Student name:__________________________________________________________
Student signature:_______________________________________________________ Date:______________
Parent/Guardian name:___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature:________________________________________________ Date:______________