GIFTED US HISTORY
COURSE SYLLABUS 
45.0820011

Teacher:  Mrs. Sanchez
Email:  Kathy_Sanchez@gwinnett.k12.ga.us or instructorsanchez@yahoo.com
Room:  B-214
Makeup Work:  Before school 6:45-7:20 or after school by appointment

Course Description:
	This course will examine U.S. History from the time of Exploration through the Civil War and 
Reconstruction periods.  This course is taught to gifted level students as a result the activities in class are meant 
to provide more of a challenge and more self-directed learning.  There is a large project component to reflect the 
needs of the gifted learner.  U.S. History is required for graduation.

AKS OBJECTIVES:		
1.	Identify cultures which inhabited the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans, determine how 
geography affected their development and describe their significant accomplishments
2.	Examine life in the early Spanish, French, Dutch, and English colonies and how these colonies 
reflect and differ from their mother countries 
3.	Describe the differences which developed between the New England, the Middle, and the Southern 
colonies 
4.	Determine how the concept of limited government originated in England and developed in the 
American colonies 
5.	Analyze the causes and the immediate and long-range results of the American Revolution 
6.	Analyze the development of the American Constitutional government and explain how it has been an 
outgrowth of the Enlightenment and the Age of 
7.	Examine the major political, social, cultural and economic issues faced by the United States in its 
formative years 
8.	Examine the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution 
9.	Determine the causes of the rise of Jacksonian Democracy and how the United States was changed 
by it 
10.	Identify the major factors and events which led to the continental growth of the United States in the 
19th century 
11.	Describe the events, trends and conditions which led to the development of sectionalism prior to 
1861 
12.	Assess the advantages and disadvantages of the North and the South in the American Civil War, 
their military strategies and the significance of the major battles of the war 
13.	Evaluate the short and long term effects of the Civil War on the politics, economics, and society of 
the United States 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.	Be on time, which means being in the room before the tardy bell rings.
2.	Be prepared--textbook, paper, writing utensil
3.	Be respectful of people and property
4.	Be ready to learn which means alert, well read, and ready to contribute to class discussions.
5.	All school rules apply.




CONSEQUENCES:
Any violation of school rules will be met with the following consequences:
a.	Warning 
b.	Warning and parental notification      		
c.	Teacher detention 1day 30 minutes--parental notification
d.	Teacher detention 2 days 30 minutes after school--parental notification
e.	Administrative referral

MATERIALS:
1.	Textbook—The Americans; by Danzer, et.al
a.	You should bring your textbook to class everyday.
b.	You should read a little of your textbook every night.
c.	Cost of textbook is around $50.00 should you suffer the loss of your book.
2.	Notebook—You will need a 3 ring binder
3.   3 ¼" Computer Disk and email account.

ATTENDANCE:
	Students are expected to be in class everyday.  When you are absent work will be missed.  It is your 
responsibility to obtain makeup work and complete it within the required timetable.  Makeup work is only 
permitted when a permit to makeup work is brought within two days upon returning from an absence.  It is your 
responsibility to find out the work that was missed, and to arrange make up times for tests, quizzes, and other 
class work, if not made up within one week you will receive a zero.

EVALUATION:	
	The following percentages will be used to determine student grades.  Due to the fact that some assignments 
require more effort than others, the teacher will notify you when any extra grades apply to an assignment.  For 
example, it might count as two test grades or two homework grades.

		20%	Average of essay grades
		25%	Average of test grades
		10%	Average of grades received on other assignments.
		20%    	Average of grades on projects
		  5%	Class Participation
		20%	Final Exam	

GRADING SCALE:
	Standard			
	100-90=A	
	89-80=B	
	79-75=C	
	74-70=D	
	69-0=F	

READING AND MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:
 A.  Textbook—The Americans; by Danzer, et. al.
1.	You are expected to independently read the chapters corresponding to each unit of study. 
2.	Each unit's corresponding chapters are listed in the pacing guide at the end of the resume.
3.	I will have quizzes on the textbook; therefore you should read the section in the books that 
correspond to the areas covered in class.  
4.	You are expected to come prepared to discuss the material in class.
5.	The text is not easy reading, so the best suggestion is to do a little bit every night.
6.	Course outlines that may be helpful to you will be available on my website.

	B.  Supplemental Readings:  
Occasionally I will Xerox additional materials for you to read, you should read those independently 
when they are distributed.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
A.	All essays will be written in class and should be fully developed.
B.	Quizzes will be given on textbook and supplemental readings.
   C.  Major Test:
	1.  Multiple choice questions and essays.
	2.  Test will use be based on notes, readings, and other in class assignments
	3.  All tests will be comprehensive from the first day of class.
	4.  All essays are expected to be completely developed and contain significant historical information.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE: 
	 I am available to help students before school I usually arrive by 6:45.  If you have a conflict and need to 
come after school please schedule with me in advance so I will be sure to be available.  Please, take advantage 
of this arrangement, I want you to be successful in this course, and am available any time you need to talk.  
All homework information and class outlines, and helpful links can be found at my website.  
www.geocities.com/instructorsanchez/

TENTATIVE PACING GUIDE:

	August 12-28—Exploration and Colonization, Chapters1-2

	August 29-September 19—Road to Independence, the American Revolution, Chapters 3-4

	September 20-October10—Constitutional Government and Launching the new nation, Chapters 5-6

	Midterm—October 11

	October 15-November 1—Jefferson and Jacksonian Democracy, Chapters 6-7
	
	November 4-December 10—Crisis, Compromise, Civil War and Reconstruction, Chapters 8-12

	Final Exams—December 18-20











US History 
First Semester Overview

Exploration and Colonization

?	Culture of Native Americans prior to European arrival
?	Early colonial Life
?	Differences between early European colonies
?	Characteristics of Dutch, French, English, and Spanish 
Colonies
?	Differences and Similarities between New England, 
Middle, and Southern colonies
?	Identify areas of three colonial areas on a map
?	Characteristics of all three colonial areas
?	Effects of Geography on the development of the 
colonies
?	Economic effect of three colonial groups

Road to Independence and American Revolution

?	Concept of Limited Government and its development
?	Causes and Results of American Revolution
?	Weaknesses, Strengths, and Significance of the 
Articles of Confederation
?	Identify major battles of American Revolution and 
locate on a map
?	Identify and explain the contributions of key figures of 
the American Revolution

Constitutional Government and the New Nation

?	Development of the Constitution
?	Compare and Contrast the Articles of Confederation 
with the Constitution
?	Hamilton's Financial System
?	Whiskey Rebellion
?	Washington's effect on the new Government
?	Revolution of 1800
?	States rights v. Federal power
?	Significant court cases
?	Washington's farewell address
?	Evolution of US National pride
?	Louisiana Purchase
?	War of 1812
?	Monroe Doctrine
?	Political Parties
?	Alien and Sedition Acts 
?	Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy

?	Industrial Revolution
?	Development of the US during Industrial Revolution
?	Changes in American life during the Industrial 
Revolution
?	Characteristics of New Democracy
?	Issues of Andrew Jackson's Presidency
?	Impact of Andrew Jackson on the presidency
?	Economic policies of Andrew Jackson
?	Presidential elections of 1824, 1828, 1832

Crisis, Compromise, Civil War, and Reconstruction

?	Events, trends, and conditions leading to sectionalism
?	Role of Congress in development of sectionalism
?	Impact of Abolitionist movement
?	Major developments in National politics affecting 
sectionalism
?	Pro-Slavery and Anti-slavery arguments
?	Economic factors promoting sectionalism
?	Advantages and Disadvantages of North and South 
entering the Civil War
?	Significance and location of major battles of the Civil 
War
?	Military Strategies used during the Civil War
?	Various goals of the Union and Confederacy during the 
Civil War
?	Domestic policies and problems of North and South 
during the Civil War
?	Short and long term effects of the Civil War
?	Problems of Reconstruction







I have read the course syllabus for Mrs. Sanchez's AP US History class and have the following questions:
 
 I have no questions or, 
 
Questions to be addressed:

  


Student signature: _______________________________   

Parent or guardian signature: __________________________ 

Date:  ________________________







1




5