All assignments will be posted on google classroom!

Mrs. Kissamis 

heidi.kissamis@d426.org

US HISTORY 1 & 2  SYLLABUS 

Contact Information:

• email - heidi.kissamis@d426.org

• phone - 815-522-2654 

The best way for students to contact me is to talk to me in class, before school or after school.  Students and parents can also email or call about any issue I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

 Course Description: 

The first semester covers the eras from Colonial Times through Manifest Destiny. The second semester covers from the Civil War through The Great Depression. Students will come to appreciate the ways in which American culture was formed from many different cultures. Students will see how the events of the nation’s past have influenced its present and how it will influence its future.  This course includes instruction on the genocide of the Native American people through this period of American history. 

Course Objectives:  As a result of this course, students will be able to…

• evaluate how historical developments were shaped by time and place as well as broader historical contexts

• analyze change and continuity within and across historical eras

• evaluate the methods utilized by people and institutions to promote change

• analyze how people and institutions have reacted to environmental, scientific, and technological changes

• analyze the factors and historical context that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras

• analyze the concept and pursuit of the American Dream

• Identify the role of individuals, groups and institutions in people’s struggle for safety, freedom, equality and justice

• analyze key historical events and contributions of individuals through a variety of perspectives, including those of historically underrepresented groups

• analyze the relationship between historical sources and the secondary interpretations made from them

• analyze the causes and effects of global conflicts and economic crises

• analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past

• analyze the geographic and cultural forces that have resulted in conflict and cooperation

Academic Expectations:

• Have class materials ready to use 

• We will be using Google classroom - chromebooks must be brought to class and be charged every day

• Respect the classroom and everyone in it - INCLUDING YOURSELF

• Listen carefully to directions and follow them 

• Be ready to think–participate–learn!

• You may be called on to answer questions

• When you are given class time to work, you need to be working

• You need to be an active participant in group work

• Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.

• Students are expected to follow the rules regarding chromebook usage given by the office

Academic Honesty:

• Students are expected to complete their own work.  

• Any plagiarized work will automatically be counted as a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment. 

• If you allow someone to copy your work you will also receive a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment.

• No Communication (verbal, non verbal, electronic, etc.) during tests.  Any communication or use of a cell phone will be automatically counted as a zero.

Behavioral Expectations:

• No snacks– water in clear containers only

• Be on time

• Pick up all trash and don’t make a mess

• Do not write on the desk

• Keep your hands and feet to yourself (even if you are playing)

• Respect others opinions 

• Be good listeners (no talking when someone else is talking)

• No putting someone else down

• no swearing

• No yelling or other behavior which distracts other students and/or your teacher 

• NO PHONES 

• if you have a cell phone you will be required to place it in the cell phone holder

• you may not charge you cell phone on your chromebook

• Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.

Discipline Policy:

• good behavior will be rewarded with Hawk Pride cards 

• students demonstrating poor classroom behavior may have the following consequences

1. verbal reminder

2. verbal warning

3. discuss behavior with teacher either during or afterclass

4. office referral and/or detention (call home to discuss behavior with parents/guardian)

* the teacher reserves the right to send anyone to the office immediately if the behavior warrants removal from the classroom

Tardy Policy:

• students must show up to class on time.  In the event that a student is tardy,

1st tardy: Enter into grade book, verbal warning

2nd tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, 

3rd tardy:  enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home

4th tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home, detention

Hall Passes: 

• You will use the “my homework” app to access hall passes

• YOU MUST ASK ME FOR PERMISSION FIRST

• You may only ask to leave the room during “work time”  - Not when I am talking/working with the class as a whole.     

• If the “my homework” app denies your request - see me

• If the “my homework” app approves your request 

1. Show me your pass

2. Leave your chromebook where I can see your pass

3. Click the return button when you return (tell me when you return if I have created your pass)        

Academic Grades: 

• Grades are based on total points accumulated on quizzes, tests, homework, class assignments, daily class participation, and projects for the quarter.   All work combined is worth 80% of the semester grade.

• Final exams are worth 20% of the final semester grade.

• Semester grades are calculated as percentages using a scale of 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60%= D, <60% = F. 

Required Materials:

• textbook

• chromebook

• headphones or earbuds

• notebook and paper

• writing utensil

Late Work: 

• Students are expected to turn their class work in on the due date. Work turned in after the due date will be marked down 20%.  All work for a unit is due before the end of a unit (test/project). 

• Students are always free to discuss with me the reason their class work is late; if they do this when the assignment was originally due, then the late penalty may not be applied.  

Makeup Work: 

• Students have one school day for each day absent to turn in all makeup work (unless arrangements are made with the instructor for more time). 

• Not all class activities can be made up, as they require direct participation by the student. 

 Tentative Course Outline:

A New Society is Born

• Native americans prior to western contact

• Discovery of the “new world” and its impacts

• Colonial society

• The American Revolution

Challenges of a New Nation

• Constitution

• American political origins

• Economic and social changes

• expansion

  • including transcontinental railroad and roll of immigrant groups 

  • genocide of the Native American population

Civil War

• What were the causes of the Civil War?

  • including a unit on slavery and abolitionism 

• Impact of the Civil War

• Reconstruction

Expansion, Imperialism and Change

• Industry is king

• Becoming a world power

• Progressivism 

• World War I

Modernization

• Invention

• Roaring 20s

* This schedule is not comprehensive, and is certainly condensed.  It does not include any assignments and is tentative.

*syllabus is subject to change