5th Grade Social Studies: America’s Past

Course Description:
In this course, students will travel back in time to discover the different eras of America’s past
that has made the United States of America the country that it is today. We will begin with the
American Colonies; why they came here, the adaptions they made – and end with the Civil War
and the reconstruction of our country. This course will consist of 14 lessons, over a 16-week
semester.

Instructor information:
Hello! My name is Alexandra Briggs. I have taught elementary education for three years now;
two years in third grade and this past year in fifth grade. My passion lies in American History. I
feel that learning history often focuses on memorization of dates and people. However, I
believe that this should not be the case! History is about the story, our story. How did we get
here? Who were some of the amazing people that allowed us to be here? I am hoping to
answer these questions and MANY more in the course, America’s Past!

Resource Requirements:
 All students are required to have a device with internet access. This device should be
equipped with programs in order to access YouTube, a word processor, various websites
and Google Drive. Devices should also have the ability to video conference.
 The textbook we will be referencing is: History Alive! America’s Past by Teacher’s
Curriculum Institute (ISBN: 978-1583718766)

Introduction to the Textbook:

This textbook will help guide students in their discovery of America’s past. Each chapter will be
a different week of the course.

Student Responsibilities:
Sequencing: Students are required to complete all chapter and weekly materials in a sequential
order. Although students are able to ‘go ahead’ of the course calendar, students must complete
a previous chapter before moving a following chapter.

Time Management: Students are responsible of using their time wisely to complete all weekly
assignments by Sunday at 11:59 pm of said week. If students are falling behind in their studies,
they must reach out via email to address possible extensions.

Re-doing Assignments: Students have the ability to re-do any assignment, quiz, or test. The
assignment must be retaken by the end of the course. The highest grade earned on the
assignment will be the one recorded.

Video-Conferencing: Students will schedule a weekly video-conference with the teacher in

order to touch-base on how assignments are going and any concerns/questions he/she may
have. These will be schedule during Week One and to reoccur throughout the course.
Contact and Office Hours:
Students are able to contact me at any time via email. I am very quick to respond to any
questions or concerns a student may have! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me during
any part of the course.

Scheduled Office Hours: If there is anytime where you need to call or need an extra time to
video conference, please contact me during my office hours: Monday – Friday (4pm – 5pm)
Schedule Video Conference Hours: As stated above, students will be required to video
conference with me once a week for 15 minutes or less. This time will be scheduled during
Week One and will take place between Monday – Thursday (5pm – 7pm).

Grading Policy and Scale

Every student is able to earn an A in this course. Students are able to redo any assignment, quiz,
or test throughout the course. If students are unhappy with their grade, they are able to earn a
higher grade, as long as they are determined to do so.

Quizzes @ 20 points each x 15 = 300 points

Cumulative Final @ 200 points = 200 points
Total Point Total = 500 points

With a scale of:

A= 90% or above (450-500 points)
B= 80% - 89% (400-449 points)
C= 70% - 79% (350-399 points)
D= 60% - 69% (300-349 points)
Failing - 59% or below (295 points or less)

Attendance Requirements:
Students attendance will be marked and met by attending their weekly video conference. If a
student is unable to meet at their scheduled time, the student is responsible in rescheduling
their conference.

Course Outline:
Each week, students will be required to complete a reading and a discussion post. Questions
are listed below in each week that students will be able to answer by the end of that week’s
lesson.

Week Lesson Description Lesson Requirements

Week 01 Course and Student Introduction: Readings: Course Syllabus
Students will be introducing themselves to Assignments:
their peers and getting to know one Discussion Board Post
another.
Week 02 Early English Settlements: Readings: Ch. 6
 Why did the settlers come? What were the Assignments:
hardships they endured? Why did some Discussion Board Post
succeed? Why did some fail?

Week 03 Comparing the Colonies: Readings: Ch. 7

How were the colonies different? How were Assignments:
they similar? Discussion Board Post
Week 04 Facing Slavery: Readings: Ch. 8
What were some of the dilemmas faced by Assignments:
Africans during enslavement, surviving the Discussion Board Post
Middle Passage, and living as a slave in the
colonies?
Week 05 Life in Colonial Williamsburg: Readings: Ch. 9
What were the aspects of colonial life? Assignments:
Government? Social-life? Religion? Discussion Board Post
Week 06 Tensions Grow: Readings: Ch. 10
What British actions angered the colonists Assignments:
in the 1700s? Discussion Board Post
Week 07 To Declare Independence or Not: Readings: Ch. 11
What were the arguments for and against Assignments:
colonial independence from Great Britain? Discussion Board Post
Week 08 The Declaration of Independence: Readings: Ch. 12
What are the main ideas in the Declaration Assignments:
of Independence? Discussion Board Post
Week 09 The American Revolution: Readings: Ch. 13
How did the colonists win the American Assignments:
Revolution? Discussion Board Post
Week 10 The Constitution: Readings: Ch. 14
What are the key features of the U.S. Assignments:
Constitution? Discussion Board Post
Week 11 The Bill of Rights: Readings: Ch. 15
What are the basic rights and freedoms of Assignments:
the American people? Discussion Board Post
Week 12 Manifest Destiny and Settling the West: Readings: Ch. 16
How did the expansion of the U.S. affect Assignments:
people inside and outside the country? Discussion Board Post
Week 13 The Diverse People of the West: Readings: Ch. 17
What drew new settles to the western part Assignments:
of the U.S. in the 1800s? Discussion Board Post
Week 14 The Causes of the Civil War: Readings: Ch. 18
What factors helped drive apart the North Assignments:
and the South in the mid-1800s? Discussion Board Post
Week 15 Review and Final: Assignments:
Students are reviewing the past semester Final Exam
and then taking the cumulative exam.

Readings: Presentation
Week 16 Reflection: Rubric
What was your favorite era of America’s Assignments:
Past? Reflection Presentation