UNITED STATES HISTORY INFORMATION/SYLLABUS
MS.THROWER
HONORS (1st period) ACADEMIC (4th period)
TeacherWebsite:
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Location: Trailer 1708
Planning Period: 2nd
After School Tutorials and Detentions: Tuesdays
Additional School Tutorials and Make Up Work: By Appointment Only
United States History is designed to provide students with analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems of the United States, past, present, and future. This course focuses on our nation’s past in order to gain historical perspective: to determine how past events have influence our time and have determined the options open to us as we seek solutions to problems.
Most frequently asked question: “Is this a hard class?”
If you can show me you can READ and you are willing to THINK, you WILL pass this class. If you attempt all the work requested of you in this courseto the best of your ability, you will most likely make an A or B. For students unafraid to THINK and DO, Ms. Thrower’s classes are a breeze. For students who like others to think FOR them or for those students that choose not to challenge themselves, this can be the most difficult class they will ever have. 100% of students that fail my classesare afraid to try. (Just so you know, laziness is a symptom of fear of failure). If you are too lazy to educate yourself, you should first figure out what you are afraid of.
Ask yourself: Did you or your parentsmake reading part of your life from elementary school until today? If yes, this class will not be difficult. If the answer is “no”, you WILL need to stay extra motivated and develop your vocabulary skills further throughout this class. If you do not stay on top of vocabulary, this course can FEEL like it is in a different language. Learning new words is key to understanding the concepts of this course. If you find it a challenge to understand what you read, do you also understand that the only way to get better at reading…is to read more!?
Course Syllabus: Semester Long United States History (Honor/Academic)
- The New Nation (1789-1820) The learner will identify, investigate, and assess the effectiveness of the
institutions of the emerging republic.
2. Expansion and Reform (1801-1850) The learner will assess the competing forces of expansionism, nationalism, and sectionalism.
3.Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction (1848-1877) The learner will analyze the issues that led to the Civil War, the effects of the war, and the impact of Reconstruction on the nation.
4.The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor (1860s-1896) The learner will evaluate the great westward
movement and assess the impact of the agricultural revolution on the nation.
5.Becoming an Industrial Society (1877-1900) The learner will describe Innovations in technology and
business practices and assess their impact on economic, political and social life in America.
6. The emergence of the United States in World Affairs (1890-1914) The learner will analyze causes and
effects of the United States emergence as a world power.
7.The Progressive Movement in the United States (1890-1914) The learner will analyze the economic,
political, and social reforms of the Progressive Period.
8.The Great War and Its Aftermath (1914-1930) The learner will analyze United States involvement in
World War I and the war’s influence on international affairs during the 1920s.
9.Prosperity and Depression (1919-1939) The learner will appraise the economic, social, and political
changes of the decades of the Twenties and the Thirties.
10.World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War (1930s-1963) The learner will analyze United States
Involvement in World War II and the war’s influence on international affairs in the following decades.
11.Recovery, Prosperity, and Turmoil (1945-1980) The learner will trace economic, political and social
developments and assess their significance for the lives of Americans during this time period.
12.The United States since the Vietnam War (1973-Present) The learner will identify and analyze trends in
domestic and foreign affairs of the United States during this time period
The first 4 days of this course will focus on skills you can use to improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking ability, attention, technology skills, and organizational skills. Students come into high school with all different levels of these “life skills” as I call them…but to succeed in this course and in life, it is a “must” you develop and use these skills every day. Your brain is a muscle, and the things you learn in this class require skill. You aren’t born with these skills, you learn them and practice them. Every day you should challenge yourself and practice building these skills. Just like sports, or musical talent, or art skills, everyone in this class is at different levels. While I do not give much homework, every day you should ask yourself if you “got it” in class that day. If not, a life skill is your ability to review and re-learn. It is unrealistic to think you can learn the majority of this information WITHOUT outside review.
What’s the difference between Honors and Academic US History?
In Honors, you will have more outside homework, be expected to learn at a slightly faster pace, which will allow us to read higher level texts and reinforce our knowledge with more videos and/or current events. Tests will be slightly more challenging, butyou will have less vocabulary assignments (Honors students are expected to look up and learn any new words on their own). In US History Honors, I have higher behavior expectations as well. Texting, sleeping and fear of trying will probably get you an invite to Academic US History. If you find Honors US History is not challenging enough, I HIGHLY recommend you drop and re-enroll in Advanced Placement United States History. You can place out of history for college if you pass the AP Exam (saving your parents or you a lot of time and money). See Ms. Forner if you have questions about AP US History.
I will help teach you the skills you need to improve your knowledge and do well in this class. However, only YOU can self motivate, be fearless and willing to challenge yourself to become the most educated adult you can. You’ll get out of this class, exactly what you put into it!
US History Handout A