Welcome to United States History I!
I am very excited to be able to work with you this year. We are going to be on an enjoyable, challenging journey together. This class will use the textbook, primary and secondary sources, videos, class discussions, research, and lectures to tell the first part of the American Story. United States History I is a fun yet challenging course that concentrates on the study of the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of American history. The course begins with Colonization and the era of Christopher Columbus and concludes with an examination of industrialization, urbanization, and the Progressive Era at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Through the lens of the major themes of U.S. History, the overall goal of the course is to provide students with both historical content as well as critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
Major Units of Study
Unit I: Pre-Columbian and the Spanish Colonial System
Unit II: European Colonization and the French and Indian War (New World Beginnings)
Unit III: American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution
Unit IV: Rise of Political Parties, Industrialization, and the Second Great Awakening
Unit V: Manifest Destiny, Civil War, and Reconstruction, and Development of the West
Unit VI: Industrial Capitalism, Organized Labor, and Immigration in the Gilded Age
Unit VII: Reform and Politics in the Gilded Age and the Rise of Progressivism through 1912
Classroom Expectations:
Respect yourself, your peers, your teachers, and the things we will do during class
Bring all required materials to class every day
Follow all district-wide and teacher-directed policies and procedures.
No food is allowed to be eaten in the classroom, unless it is documented in a student’s IEP or 504 plan.
Beverages are allowed presuming they do not become disruptive and do not make a mess.
Communicate with the teacher - We are here to help you become the most successful student you can be
Please allow for a 24-hour response time to any communication made via email.
No student may interfere with another student’s right to learn in this classroom
Required Materials
Notebook & folder OR binder with lined paper specifically for US History
Pen/Pencil - black or blue ink only for assessments
School-issued Chromebook (and charger)
Highlighter or different color pen - for document analysis
Grading Breakdown: *There is no extra credit offered in this course.
30% Classwork
10% Homework
60% Assessments
Important RFH Procedures, Policies, and Guidelines:
Cell phones in class:
All devices must be turned off and put away in classroom caddies when class begins. Cell phones must be placed in the classroom cell phone caddy for the entire block/period.
First Offense: Teacher conference and confiscation of device (returned at the end of the day).
Second Offense: After-school detention and confiscation of device (returned at the end of the day).
Third Offense: Saturday detention and confiscation of the device, which must be picked up by a parent/guardian.
Additional Offenses: May result in further restrictions of student privileges.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
At RFH, we approach this moment with both hope and caution. We believe Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform learning in powerful ways by enhancing understanding of course material, promoting student-centered and problem-based learning, and fostering digital literacy, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, students must be active decision-makers, consistently evaluating and using these tools ethically and responsibly, without compromising academic integrity. We expect our use of AI in the classroom to evolve as the school year goes on. Your teacher will provide guidance on the appropriate and acceptable use of AI for this class, but it is your responsibility to adhere to their instructions. Should you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your teacher.
Laptop Devices
No student shall use another student’s district-issued log-on credentials.
No privately owned electronic device may be attached to any Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School network.
Violation of school or district policies, local, state, and/or federal laws while using a personal electronic device on the RFH wireless network will result in appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action as specified in the Student Handbook and Conduct Code, School Board policy
Attendance Policy and Assessments
A student may be dropped from or denied course credit when absent 14 or more classes for a full-year course; the change from 18 to 14 absences aligns with the rotating drop schedule.
If a student comes in late or leaves early and misses a class during which an assessment is administered or due, the student may only retake the evaluation or turn the assessment in late if they have a doctor's note or an absence excused by the state; otherwise, the student receives a zero for that assignment.
Short Term Assignments and Major Assessment Information
Homework will be due at the beginning of the class period the next time the class meets. Assignment dates will be posted in Google Classroom. Students are encouraged to upload their work. In an effort to ensure that students stay current with instruction, students will have 2 school days for each day absent, up to a maximum of 6 days, to make up For extenuating circumstances, it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with their teachers. The two-day make up window includes the day that the class “drops.
Short-Term Homework Assignments - Short-term homework assignments are given on an ongoing basis in all academic courses. Credit for short-term homework assignments will only be given if they are submitted on the due date at the designated time. Students are expected to follow the guidelines established in the RFH Student Handbook for the submission of work if they are absent on the due date for the entire school day. Specific IEP stipulations and 504 Plan modifications are exceptions to this policy.
Major Assessments - Major assessments are required course components in all academic courses, and they will be evaluated using corresponding rubrics. Failure to complete any of the designated criteria for a major assessment or minimal demonstration of effort on any facet of a major assessment will have a negative impact on student performance. Students are strongly advised to develop their projects beyond the minimum passing levels as determined by the instructor, and they are encouraged to confer with the instructor on ways in which they can develop their final products. Timely completion is a fundamental criterion for all major assessments: late assignments will be penalized according to the established policy:
10% grade reduction off of the final grade if the major assessment is not submitted on the due date at the designated time. Additional 10% reductions will be given for two days subsequent to the due date. After this time has passed, the grade is reduced to no credit (0).
When a project or paper is assigned, the following criteria must be met in order for the assignment to be considered on time:
The assignment must be marked as “turned in” on Google Classroom
The assignment must be printed prior to the start of class.
If a student asks to print their paper at the start of class, it will be considered late
The paper must be submitted to turnitin.com.
If a student is in school on the day in which a major assessment is due and is absent from class, the assignment must be e-mailed or submitted to the instructor by the end of the school day. Failure to do so will result in the established late penalty. Exceptions to this policy will be up to the discretion of the instructor and/or the department supervisor if there are extenuating circumstances. Specific IEP stipulations and 504 Plan modifications are also exceptions.
The consequences for a violation of academic integrity on a major assessment will correspond to the penalties outlined in the RFH Student Handbook.
Students are expected to follow the guidelines established in the RFH Student Handbook for the submission of work if they are absent on the due date for the entire school day.
Academic Integrity
All assigned work MUST be completed using your RFH google suite student account. All drafting, revising, and publishing must take place on the original document, allowing for transparency in regards to revision history, progress, and growth. Work completed on a separate document, then copied and pasted into the assigned document, will not be accepted.
Materials
Lapsansky-Werner, Emma J., Peter B. Levy, Randy Roberts, and Alan Taylor. United States History Interactive. Savvas Learning Company, 2022.
Common Sense Education | Digital Citizenship Curriculum & EdTech Reviews
Primary and Secondary Sources as selected by the teacher
Digital Inquiry Group, Stanford History Education Group
Link to Marking Period 1 Schedule