Louisiana History 8th Syllabus

Course Description: This Louisiana History course is a study of how our state is an integral part of the United States. This course is designed to help students understand how and why particular events and patterns of events occurred in our society. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a historical background of Louisiana history. This course will enable students to understand the geographic, political and economic developments that affect the state of Louisiana.

Course Expectations: Students in this Louisiana History class are expected to develop writing skills, to keep up with reading assignments, and to begin the process of historical analysis critical to understanding and interpreting the past. Students are expected to come to class prepared and to complete assignments on time.

Textbooks and Materials:

According to district and state guidelines, students are required to read and analyze sources pertaining to inquiry. Students will use prior and new knowledge of concepts and think critically answering a claim, providing evidence from the sources, and justifying (reasoning) their evidence in answering to the claim.

Through out the school year, we will be using these four resources:

• Google Classroom (online)

• Louisiana: Our History Our State (eBook)

• Active Classroom (online)

Textbooks will not be assigned to students.

Grading Scale:

A=93-100 B=85-92 C=75-84 D= 67-74 F=66 or Below

Examinations: Exams in this course are given at the end of each chapter and unit. They usually contain anywhere from 10-20 questions, sometimes more. The questions types will range from Multiple Choice, True/False, Fill in the Blank, Short Answer/ Constructed response and Essay.

Course Policies:

Student Work: Students will be expected to complete assignments both inside and outside of class, and on a regular basis. All students are expected to read class material, think critically and write effectively. Students are expected to use complete sentences, proper grammar and correct spelling in every written performance.

Group Activities: (ONLY FOR NON-COVID/MASK FREE TIME)You will be working in groups on a regular basis. Your group will be given cooperative learning activities to complete. You will be expected to be an active member of your group and participation points will be assessed accordingly. You will always be graded as an individual; however your group may earn points together that will lead to a reward.

Absences: If a student is absent, it is HIS/HER responsibility to get it completed and turned in a timely manner. All lessons and assignments are posted online for all to see, rather at school or not.

Class Rules:

• The student is expected to treat the teacher and other students with respect at all times. Offensive language and hatefulness is not acceptable in this class. I like to use as a guideline “Do the Right Thing.” You know what is right and wrong and you will be expected to act accordingly.

• Students are expected to be in their seats and prepared for class when the bell rings. Being prepared for class means having all materials out and ready.

• Pay attention. Talking while the teacher is instructing or while other students are presenting will not be permitted. Listen the first time directions are given.

• Students will stay in their seats at all times unless otherwise directed by the teacher.

  • First offense: verbal warning

  • Second offense: Teacher/Student conference

  • Third offense: Parent/Teacher phone call/email

  • Fourth offense: Office referral

Tentative curriculum schedule

Semester 1: The Pre-Colonial Era through Reconstruction

First Quarter-

• Native Americans in Louisiana

• European Exploration and Settlement

• The Louisiana Purchase

Second Quarter

• Statehood

• Battle of NewOrleans

• The Antebellum Era

• The Civil War

• Reconstruction

Semester 2: The Jim Crow Era through The Modern Eara

Third Quarter

• Jim Crow

• Populism

• The Flood of 1927

• Huey Long

• World War II

• The Civil Rights Movement

Forth Quarter

• Louisiana’s Government in the Modern Era

• Economy and Geography in the Modern Era