US History I

Course Level: General

Credits: 5

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisite: Refer to the Level Placement Policy.

This course provides students with essential understandings of the various social, economic, religious, and political forces interwoven in the formation and early development of the United States and its government. Students should expect engaging, bell-to-bell instruction, purposeful and focused activities, and authentic skills-based formative and summative assessments. Much of the workload for U.S. History I is focused in the classroom where the expectation for students is to come prepared to meet the goals of the days' lessons through active engagement and participation. Students will receive homework based upon the need to further demonstrate the understanding of concepts or skills as indicated through the curricular learning objectives. Both primary and secondary texts and documents are used to foster academic reading skills and strategies. Students study historical issues of major significance, including interpretations of the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, women's rights, slavery, immigration, and the emergence of an industrial America poised to continue expansion after a destructive civil war. It is highly recommended that students who enroll in U.S. History I General also enroll in English II General.

Amistad Commission Mandate

The mandate requires the teaching of the African slave trade, slavery in America,the vestiges of slavery in this country and the contributions of African‐Americans to our society. Evidence is found in all grade bands in the district’s K to 12 social studies curricula, [e.g., units about slavery, civil rights, Contemporary United States History (Era 14)].