U.S. History

Andrew Kennamer

Fox Creek High School

e-mail: akennamer@fchs.net

Telephone #: (803) 613-9435 Ext. 166

Class webpage: https://sites.google.com/a/fchs.net/amerikennamer/home

July, 2023

Welcome to U.S. History.  In this class we will follow the story of the American people from the colonial period to present day.  I hope to take our class on an adventure through time as we follow our nation’s history and discover how we went from British colonies, to a fledgling independent nation, a nation divided and reunited, and ultimately emerged as the most powerful nation in the world.  Together we will investigate how events from the past have influenced and relate to the U.S. as we know it today.

I believe if our young people want to be successful professionally and in life, an education is the most valuable and available resource they can take advantage of.  It is my job to guide my students on their academic journey and teach them how to develop and utilize the skills they will need to thrive once they reach the real world.  Students, you must do your part.  If you want success, you have to do the work and earn it.  Parents, continue to provide a solid foundation for your children that only you can.  By working together, we can ensure that all of our students’ futures will be bright.

Coarse goals and objectives for students include:

• Examining our roots in English culture and politics and the foreign ideas that inspired us to declare our independence

• A deeper understanding of our nation’s founding and the United States Constitution

• Exploring the pivotal moments of American history, of both hardship and triumph, which led us to the path we now find ourselves on

• Development of critical thinking skills

Required Materials

School-issued Chromebook (Charge it every night; bring it to class every day)

Something to write on and something to write with

We will read 2 books to completion during the school year.  Both books are in the public domain, so you can legally view them online or download them to your device for free.

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass - View online or download for free at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23

• Company Aytch by Samuel R. Watkins - View online or download for free at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13202

Classroom Rules

1. Follow all Fox Creek High School rules at ALL times.

2. NO PHONES

3. No hats, hoodies, etc. on inside the building.

4. No food/drinks are allowed in class.  Water in a secure container is acceptable.

5. Be on time.  When the tardy bell rings, the door closes.  If you are late, go to the attendance office to get a tardy slip.  Students will not be admitted to class after the bell without a pass.

6. Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, and the faculty and staff of Fox Creek High School.  I will not tolerate any disrespectful language or actions.

Classroom Procedures

1. Bring materials to class EVERY DAY.

2. Use the restroom BEFORE class.

3. Be seated in your desk BEFORE the tardy bell rings.  If there is an assignment on the board, go ahead and get started as soon as you get seated.

4. At the end of the period, remain in your seat.  I dismiss you, not the bell.

Course Requirements

Students will be required to complete daily assignments, quizzes, tests, essays, and projects.

Semester exams will be given at the end of each semester.  Semester exams count as 20% of the overall grade for the semester.

There is also an End-Of-Course exam associated with this class.  All U.S. History students will take a U.S. History EOC near the end of the year.  This grade will be 20% of the student’s final year grade.

Homework/Classwork Requirements

During an average week, students will be required to complete assignments or activities in class and will receive multiple homework assignments.  Most homework assignments will require students to read, answer questions, or review vocabulary.

Grading Policy

Late Work

I do not accept any late work unless there are extenuating circumstances.  If your assignment is late, it is a zero.  

Plagiarism

All major assignments (projects, essays, etc.) will be submitted to an online plagiarism checker, Turnitin.com.  Plagiarism is when you present someone else's work as your own original work.  Make sure all major written assignments are in your own words and any direct quotes are properly cited.  Students will receive a zero for plagiarized assignments and will not get the opportunity to redo the assignment.

• Tests/Projects 50%

• Quizzes 20%

• Classwork/Homework 30%

To calculate semester grades:

1st Quarter Grade     40%

2nd Quarter Grade     40%

Semester Exam     20%

To calculate yearly grades:

1st Semester Grade     50%

2nd Semester Grade     50%

Final grade including EOC:

Year Grade     80%

EOC Grade     20%

Pacing Plan

Quarter 1

• Early America to the Columbian Exchange

• American Colonies

• Growth of the 13 Colonies

• The American Revolution

• The Creation of the Constitution

Quarter 2

• Nationalism, Sectional, & Jacksonian Democracy

• 1800s Reform Movements

• Market Revolution & Manifest Destiny

• The Union in Peril

• The American Civil War

Quarter 3

• Reconstruction

• The West

• Industrialization

• The Progressive Era

• American Imperialism

• WWI

• The Roaring 20s

• The Great Depression

• FDR & The New Deal

Quarter 4

• WWII

• The Cold War

• Postwar Boom

• The New Frontier & The Great Society

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The Vietnam War

• 1970s to the Present