U.S. History
American Beginnings to Present
Mrs. Crank
GTCHS
Room AH 124
2007-08
To: Parents and students
From: Cleo W. Crank
Subject: U.S. History
August 2007
Dear Parents and Students,
Over the summer, the following headlines have been in the Greenville News: 1) Terrorists attempt car bombing at Glasgow airport 2) Hillary Clinton gains momentum in the presidential race 3) Bridge collapses in Minneapolis 4) Michelin begins $350 million investment to expand across the state. In order to understand the significance of events like these, a basic working knowledge of United States History is essential.
U.S. History allows students to explore the who, what, when and why of our past. Because of our time limits, it would be impossible to cover in detail over 300 years of history. Therefore, we will have to pick and choose very carefully what we will study. We will begin our studies with the colonial period, the American Revolution, establishing a new nation, westward expansion and the Civil War and Reconstruction. Then we will look at Immigration and the Industrial Age, Imperialism, WWI, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. Second semester we will study contemporary U.S. – 1941 to 1990 with an emphasis on WWII, the Cold War, Korean War, JFK, LBJ, Civil Rights, Vietnam War and Watergate. In preparation for the End of course exam, we will spend the last few weeks of the year reviewing all we have learned.
The big question is how to best do this with juniors in High School??? There are many, many ways to teach social studies: lecture, research projects, exhibitions, videos, simulation games, and field trips. Hopefully, I can incorporate all these methods in class this year and your child can learn history and have fun at the same time.
Please read the packet your child was given. If you have any questions, call the school at 250-8844 and I will return your call as soon as possible. I look forward to getting to know your child this year.
Sincerely,
Cleo W. Crank
To: Parents and students
From: Cleo W. Crank
Subject: U.S. History
August 2006
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to 11th grade US History, a course that allows students to explore the who, what, and why of our past. Because of our time limits it will be impossible to cover in detail over 300 years of history. There fore we will pick and choose very carefully what we will study. We will spend the first nine weeks of school reviewing colonization, the making of a new nation, westward expansion, the civil War, and Reconstruction. The rest of the year we will begin a more in depth study of contemporary American history beginning with the industrial Revolution (1880’s).
This class will be different from most social studies classes because it is designed with the primary purpose of helping students develop their thinking and reasoning skills. Everything we do in class is intended to enhance student’s critical thinking. US History will simply be the vehicle we sue to exercise our minds. Students therefore will not be asked to memorize facts and dates. Instead they will be required to internalize, analyze and synthesize information buy using it in class assignments and activities. As Americans, the quality of every decision we make is directly determined by our thinking and understanding. As a social studies teacher, I hope to encourage all my students to use their minds well.
Please read the packet I have provided. If you have any questions, call the school at 250-8844 and I will return your call as soon as possible .I look forward to working with you and your child this year.
Sincerely,
Cleo W. Crank
United States History
South Carolina State Standards:
Standard USHC-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the settlement
of North America.
Standard USHC-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the establishment of the United States as a new nation.
Standard USHC-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the westward movement and the resulting regional conflicts that took place in America in the nineteenth century.
Standard USHC-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes and the course of the Civil War and Reconstruction in America.
Standard USHC-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of major social, political, and economic developments that took place in the United States during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Standard USHC-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of foreign developments that contributed to the United States’ emergence as a world power in the twentieth century.
Standard USHC-7: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the economic boom-and-bust in America in the 1920s and 1930s, its resultant political instability, and the subsequent worldwide response.
Standard USHC-8: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of World War II on United States’ foreign and domestic policies.
Standard USHC-9: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the social, economic, and political events that impacted the United States during the Cold War era.
Standard USHC-10: The student will demonstrate an understanding of developments in foreign policy and economics that have taken place in the United States since the fall of the Soviet Union and its satellite states in 1992.
My Goals
Recognize recurrent themes in US History
Gain a working knowledge of major people, places, and events in American history from 1600 – the present
Clarify and summarize reading material
Analyze cause and effect
Develop historical perspective
Interpret maps and graphs
Draw conclusions about essential historical questions
My Objectives
Students will write and effective historical essay with a strong thesis and minimum three paragraph format with concrete supporting evidence.
Students will identify key Americans and important laws and events that have brought freedom and liberty to Americans today.
Students will research information from various sources and media beyond encyclopedias.
Students will present information clearly and concisely in front of peers.
Students w3ill communicate (both orally and in writing) their interpretations on historical issues.
Students will critically analyze social studies data, charts, graphs, and political cartoons.
Students will analyze cause and effect
Students will draw conclusions about essential historical questions.
1. Why Americans are drawn to new frontiers
2. What causes conflict and what are the results?
3. What are the characteristics of a good leader?
4. When and why does change happen?
5. What has been the effect of diversity on American society?
6. Does history make the man, or man make the history?
7. How have Americans developed their attitude of authority, ownership, and control of others?
Materials and supplies needed
3 ring binder
Book cover for text
Notebook paper
3 x 5 note cards
Computer storage device – preferably a pen drive
Class rules and procedures
There are very few rules and procedures for this class. But you are expected to follow them at all times.
Follow all school rules and procedures
Avoid unnecessary absences and tardies
Be cooperative and pleasant
Treat everyone with respect
Work to your full potential everyday
Respect the technology available in this class
Allow the teacher the pleasure of starting and ending class
Grading
9 week grades are computed by averaging major test grades, projects, pop quizzes, journals and daily work (homework, class work, group work)
Semester exhibitions will be assigned in December for the semester exam.
The End of Course state test will serve as the final exam
Academic Assistance is required for all students with an average below 80. Academic assistance for this class is each Tuesday from 3:30 – 4:15
US History – Yearly Overview
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1st Semester I Early America A. Intro – What is an American? B. America begins 1. Colonialism 2. American Revolution C. Shaping a New Nation 1. US Constitution 2. American leaders 3. Westward expansion D. Civil War and Reconstruction II Modern America emerges A. Industrial Age B. Immigration C. Progressivism D. Imperialism E. WWI III 20’s and the Great Depression A. Post war America B. Roaring Twenties C. Nation’s Sick Economy D. FDR and the New Deal
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2nd Semester IV WWII A. World situation B. Holocaust C. America enters the war D. Post war America V Cold War A. Conflict with Russia B. Red Scar C. Berlin Crisis D. Korean War VI A Nation in Turmoil A. New Frontier - JFK C. Great society - LBJ C. Civil Rights Movement D. Vietnam E. Social changes VII Nearing the millennium A. Nixon and Watergate B. Ford and Carter C. Reagan and Bush D. Clinton and Bush
VIII 21st Century - America Today |
Parent Inventory
Student name ________________________________________
Parent/guardian name__________________________________
Relationship ____________________________
Part I Information
1. How and when is it best for me to get in touch with you?
When: __________________________________
Where: _________________________________
Home phone: _____________________________
Work phone: _____________________________
Cell phone: ______________________________
E-mail address: ________________________________________
2. Are you interested in participating in class activities/discussions during the school year? Yes ______ No _______
3. Are you interested in your child participating in the following class field trips?
Biltmore House (late October) Yes ___ No___
Washington, DC (late March) Yes ___ No___
State Historical Museum (April) Yes ___ No___
4. What are 3 of your child’s strengths?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
5. What are 3 of your child’s weaknesses?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
6. How does your child best learn? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Part II Parent Inventory: Please rate your child on a scale of 1-5
(5= very strong, 4=strong, 3=average, 2=weak, 1=very weak)
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Organized and orderly |
1 2 3 4 5 |
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Uses time wisely |
1 2 3 4 5 |
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Interest in school |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Sees importance of school |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Communicates with written words |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Communicates orally |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Responsible |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Respect for adults |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Respect for peers |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Leadership |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Follows directions |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Creativity |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Punctual (on time) |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Sense of humor |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Interest in Social Studies/History |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Tactful |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Friendly and out going |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Academic achiever |
1 2 3 4 5 |
Comments or other helpful hints about your child:
Parent signature ___________________________ Date: _______
Student Personal Inventory
Part I Student information
Name ___________________________________________________
Birthday _________________________________________________
Parent/guardian name ______________________________________
Other household members __________________________________
______________________________________________________
Where are you 1st period - __________________________________
What extra curricular activities are you involved in this year? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you work after school? Yes/No
If so, where__________________________ Hours _______
How do you best demonstrate what you have learned?
(circle any that apply)
project lecture/test research exhibition presentation discussion
What are 3 of your strengths?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your weaknesses? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How might you work on these weaknesses in class this year?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a computer at home? Yes/no
What is your E-mail address?_______________________
___________________________________________________
Comments or other helpful hints about you.
Part II Student Inventory: Please rate yourself on a scale of 1-5
(1=very weak, 2=weak, 3=average, 4=strong, 5= very strong)
|
Organized and orderly |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Uses time wisely |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Interest in school |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Sees importance of school |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Communicate with written words |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Able to communicate orally |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Responsible |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Respect for adults |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Respect for peers |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Leadership |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Follows directions |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Creativity |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Punctual (on time) |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Sense of humor |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Interest in Social Studies/History |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Tactful |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Friendly and out going |
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
Academic achiever |
1 2 3 4 5 |