West Stokes High School

Fall 2015

Course: American History I: The Founding Principles

Teacher: Robert Mitchell (Robert.Mitchell@stokes.k12.nc.us)

Textbook: The American Vision; Modern Times, Glencoe

Course Description:
As outlined by the North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction (subject to change as the bureaucrats and politicians make work for themselves).

American History I: The Founding Principles will begin with the European exploration of the new world
through reconstruction. Students will examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States from
European exploration and colonial settlement to the revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students will learn
about the important political and economic factors that contributed to the development of colonial America and
the outbreak of the American Revolution as well as the consequences of the Revolution, including the writing
and key ideas of the U.S. Constitution. American History I: The Founding Principles will guide students as
they study the establishment of political parties, Americas westward expansion, the growth of sectional
conflict, how that sectional conflict led to the Civil War, and the consequences of the Civil War, including
Reconstruction.
Student Learning Expectations:
My goal is to use the 86 days we have together to improve your ability to reason, to articulate, to read, and to express
yourself in the written word.

Evaluation:
-Tests (50%) 4 Tests each quarter (total of 8 Tests) and 2 project grades (to count as test grades)
-Quizzes (25%) Weekly Vocabulary Quizzes will come from Vocab and Notes packets completed each week
-Homework and class work (20%) This will come from Weekly Vocab/Notes packets and other in-class and
homework assignments.
-Notebook (5%) I will conduct bi-weekly notebook/binder checks looking for graded packets, quizzes, and assigned
notes
-Final Exam (20%) of overall grade) See Exam Exemption policy
Please see Powerschool for assignments, grades, and due dates.

Classroom Expectations:
I.

Books, late work, and personal conduct

A classroom set of textbooks will be kept on the shelf in the room. As needed, you are welcome to take books
home. Please bring them back.
If a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain any notes from class and ensure that
his/her notebook is up-to-date and/or assignments submitted.
Late work will receive a letter grade deduction (unless approved by me in advance)
Conduct yourselves as ladies and gentlemen. I am old fashioned and like things orderly, quiet, appropriate,
and consistent with high moral and ethical standards. Gentlemen, not hats please. Watch your language.
Conduct yourself with dignity.
I will adhere to the Stokes Co. Schools Parent/Student handbook (this especially concerns electronics, cell
phones, tardy policy, and behavior issues).

II.

Class Materials
-3 ring binder, paper
-highlighter
-Pen or pencil. If I loan a pen/pencil, I will need collateral
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Conclusions
Finally, let us look at the Essential Standards for the course. If you leave here in June unfamiliar with the standards below
then I have let you down (and you likely let yourself down). The standards sound fancy, but in reality a good student of
history who follows the story, understands the narrative, can isolate the conflicts, appreciate the colorful characters,
realize the turning points, and recognize that who were are today is a reflection our past, probably understands the overly
dramatized language below.

American History I: Essential Standards

Standard 1: Apply the four interconnected dimensions of historical thinking
(Historical Comprehension, Chronological thinking, Historical Analysis and Interpretation,
Historical Research) to the United States History Essential Standards in order to
understand the creation and development of the United States over time.
Standard 2: Analyze key political, economic and social turning points in United
States History using historical thinking
Standard 3: Understand the factors that led to exploration, settlement,
movement, and expansion and their impact on United States development over
time.
Standard 4: Analyze how conflict and compromise have shaped politics,
economics and culture in the United States.
Standard 5: Understand how tensions between freedom, equality and power
have shaped the political, economic and social development of the United
States.
Standard 6: Understand how and why the role of the United States in the
world has changed over time.
Standard 7: Understand the impact of war on American politics, economics,
society and culture.

Standard 8: Analyze the relationship between progress, crisis and the

American Dream within the United States.