Course Syllabus

 American History I

Mr. Gavins

 

Description:

Students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States from European exploration and colonial settlement to the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students will learn about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the development of colonial America and the outbreak of the American Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing and key ideas of the U.S. Constitution. American History I: The Founding Principles will guide students as they study the establishment of political parties, America’s westward expansion, the growth of sectional conflict, how that sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including Reconstruction.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations:

Each day will be adapted to accomplish the goals set for that day, however a typical day will go as follows:

  • Students will arrive on time and begin working on the assigned warmup for the day
  • As students finish, they should prepare for the lesson
  • Classtime will consist of a review of notes or a discussion of the material
  • Class will finish working on an assignment to establish the lesson
  • Any classwork not completed should be finished as homework

Many of our lessons may require reading at home. If there is a reading assigned, then it should be completed as homework and students should be prepared to discuss.

Classroom rules include, but are not limited to, the rules of both Porter Ridge High School and Union County Public Schools. It is my goal as a teacher to create a safe learning environment for all students.

  • No cell phones
  • Any cell phone seen will be confiscated
  • Repeat confiscations will result in the cell phone being turned into the office
  • Behavior
  • Classroom disruptions will not be tolerated and will result in the following
  • Verbal Warning
  • Write up
  • Office referral
  • Parent phone call
  • Chromebooks
  • The Chromebooks are an extremely valuable tool for learning history, however they should be treated with that respect.
  • Students should only use their Chromebooks as they are assigned
  • Any off task usage will result in the disallowance of use for the day

Assignments:

Assignments for the year will include worksheets, readings, written assignments, projects, and papers. All assignments should be turned in on time. Any late assignment will be docked 10 points for every day that it is late, with a maximum deduction of 50 points.

Homework/Classwork- These types of assignments include worksheets, vocab, etc.

Quizzes- These assignments will include quizzes, pop quizzes, webquests, etc.

Tests- Assessments taken at the end of each unit

Projects- Projects are meant to show a deeper understanding of the material covered. Each project should be treated in high regard and should produce high levels of work.

Grading Scale:

  • Homework/Classwork- 20%
  • Quizzes- 30%
  • Tests/Projects- 50%

 

I am excited for the upcoming semester and I hope you are too. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me and I will respond as soon as possible.

Email: charles.gavins@ucps.k12.nc.us

Phone: 704-292-7662

I have read and understand the syllabus for Mr. Gavins’s US History I class.

Student Name       ________________________________

Student Signature ________________________________

Parent Name          ________________________________

Parent Signature    ________________________________

Date                         ________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due