10th Grade U.S. History Syllabus

Tenth Grade U.S. History Beginnings to 1877 Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Gina Nix

Contact Information: 256-734-3923; gnix@cullmancats.net

Text: Danzer, Gerald et al. The Americans by McDougal Littell, 2005.

Course Description: The study of the history of the United States in Grade 10 takes students on a journey across five centuries of social, economic, geographic, and political development in the United States.  Students begin with the earliest discoveries on the North American continent and follow a chronological study of the major events, issues, movements, leaders, and groups of people of the United States through Reconstruction from a national and Alabama perspective.  The content and level of rigor in the tenth-grade course are developmentally appropriate.  With more fully developed skills in abstract thinking, students are now able to compare, analyze, and explain events and developments. (See Alabama Department of Education)

I.                   Topics to be covered first trimester

A.    Three Worlds Meet

B.     The American Colonies Emerge

C.     The Colonies Come of Age

D.    The War for Independence

E.     Shaping a New Nation

F.      Launching the New Nation

II.                 Objectives to be covered first trimester (See Alabama Course of Study)

A.    Contrast conditions before and after European explorations of the fifteenth through seventeenth centuries

B.     Compare early English settlements and colonies

C.     Trace the chronology of events leading to the American Revolution

D.    Describe the political system of the United States

E.     Identify key cases that helped shape the United States Supreme Court

F.      Describe relations of the United States with Britain and France

III.             Class Expectations

A.    RESPECT: Have respect for yourself, teachers, others, and their property.  Treat others better than you would treat yourself.

B.     PARTICIPATION: Participate during class discussions.  However, do not talk while someone else is talking.

C.     FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL RULES: Refer to your student handbook.

D.    BE ON TIME: Be in your seat when the bell rings working on your daily bellringer.  Also note that the teacher dismisses you not the bell!

E.     POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Always have a positive attitude and NO WHINING will be allowed.

F.      BE PREPARED: Always have all your assignments and class supplies with you every day.  Be ready to work.  No one may ever put his/her head down in class.

IV.              Assessment

A.    Grading:  I grade on a point system.  Points will vary based on the difficulty of the assignment and the amount of time it takes to do the assignment

Assignments thrown together or incomplete will not get full credit.  Cheating or copying of other’s work will not be tolerated.

B.     Points will always be given for homework and will in some cases be given for in class work.  Incomplete work will receive partial credit.  Homework will be checked the school day following the day it is assigned.  Detention may be assigned if homework is repeatedly missed.  Projects and report style papers are very important and are assigned considerable points.

C.     MAKE-UP WORK and MAKE-UP TESTS ARE THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY.  Make-up days allowed in order to complete missed work are generally equal to the number of days missed, i.e., if you are out for two days then you have two days to make up the work.  Tests can be scheduled before school at 7:00 a.m. on specified days or after school on specified days.  PLEASE work this out immediately upon returning to school and let me know of any extenuating circumstances!  

D.    LATE WORK will be taken for ½ credit any time during the six weeks provided the student requests it on the Student Responsibility Card (pink slip).

V.                 Materials

A.    1 one inch three ring binder with loose leaf paper

B.     1 ink pen (black or blue ink only) and one pencil

C.     1 set of dividers for binder

D.    Other supplies for projects, if any, will be assigned well in advance of the due date.

I look forward to teaching this class this year.  Feel free to call the school for a conference or send an email any time you have concerns or questions.