Introduction to American History

Year 8

Description: During this course you will learn about the development of our country from the early
settlers until the onset of World War I. Throughout this course, you will be learning through readings,
videos, and discussion board entries. At the conclusion of the course, you will have achieved the
following objectives:
1. I am comfortable using technology to communicate with others in an educational setting.
2. I can explain the reasons for our founders to have signed the Declaration of Independence,
which led to the Revolutionary War.
3. I can explain the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
4. I can explain the major reasons why the Civil War started.
5. I can explain the major ramifications of the Emancipation Proclamation.
6. I can explain the Reconstruction
7. I can identify and argue for or against a current public policy

Course Requirements: You will need access to a computer with internet access. You will also need to
need to have an e-mail address to sign up for some of the free programs that I will be using to facilitate
this class (Wikispaces, Edmodo, etc.). You will also need a calendar to keep track of deadlines. The final
requirement is that you will need to have Microsoft Office or a Google account so I can accept your
work. I only accept written work via Word or Google docs.
Introduction to the textbook: Your textbook is the Holt US History book. It can be accessed by logging
into my.hrw.com and putting in the class code for access to the online book. It gives the basic
information that will start our discussions, but we will be using a great deal of other resources including
the Stanford History Education Group: Think Like a Historian. These will introduce us to original
documents and will help us learn how to interpret documents from the time period rather than a
textbook summary of what happened.

Student Expectations: You will be expected to:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Check the Edmodo site daily for any assignments or updates.

Post your comments on the Edmodo site
Put your required written work onto the Wikispaces page so students can read your work.
Meet all assignment deadlines unless prior approval is given.
Use appropriate language and etiquette when posting comments and assignments.

Instructor Information:
Mr. Jason M. Grifka, M.Ed.
Room 305, Carter Middle School
E-mail: jgrifka@wcskids.net
Phone: 586-825-2590 ex. 24305
Office hours: Any day after school with appointment or daily from 10:00-11:00

Online office hours:

Due to the fact that I still teach a full schedule in a face-to-face setting, I will not be available
from 7:36-3:00 except for my prep hour. I will check all e-mails during that time if you have concerns.
After school, I am committed to answering any questions you have from 3:00-4:00 in person or from
7:00-8:00 on Mondays and Thursdays via e-mail. At this stage of online learning, I do not feel
comfortable using any chat or video communication without written parental permission. The class
period will be from 7:51-8:51 but you do not need to be online during that time unless you have
concerns. I will post videos to Youtube for you to watch every morning that will answer the questions
from the previous day. Since Youtube is blocked in school, you will need to watch these at home.

Grading policy:
Homework = 25%
This includes weekly discussion post entries and any written assignments you will e-mail to me.
Tests/quizzes/projects = 75%
This will include Wikispace entries when we jigsaw battles from the Revolution or portions of the
Constitution/Bill of Rights. This will also include online tests, projects, and reflection and persuasive
essays.

Scale:
98-100 = A+

78-79.99 = C+

92-97.99 = A

72-77.99 = C

90-91.99 = A-

70-71.99 = C-

88-89.99 = B+

68-69.99 = D+

82-87.99 = B

62-67.99 = D

80-81.99 = B-

60-61.99 = D-

Below 60 = E

Lessons/Course Outline:
Week
1

Title
Introduction to the Colonies

Trouble in the Colonies

Loyalists vs. Patriots

American Revolution

Description
Read the section in the
book on the New
England, Southern, and
Middle Colonies
You will be assigned a
colony and you need to
do research on that
colony and put your
report on the
Wikispaces page.
On the discussion
board, explain what
colony you would
choose to live in.
Read the sections in the
book about trouble in
the colonies.
Read the two original
documents from the
Edmodo page on the
Stamp Act and write
what you think they
mean on the discussion
page.
Choose one of the Acts
and report about it on
the Wikispaces page
You will be assigned a
side in this debate and
you need to post an
entry on the discussion
board supporting your
opinion
Read the original
documents from the
Edmodo page (from
Stanford)
Read the book sections
on the Revolutionary
War
You will be assigned a
battle from the war to
report on at the
Wikispaces page
Watch The Crossing on

Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention and

the Constitution

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Bill of Rights

Youtube and complete

the worksheet linked on
the Edmodo page.
Read the book sections
on the Articles
Comment on the
discussion board as to
what you see as the
weaknesses of the
Articles
Take the online quiz
from Edmodo about the
first five weeks.
Read the book sections
on the Constitutional
Convention
Explain the problems at
the Convention on the
discussion board.
Explain the feelings of
your colony on the
Wikispace page.
Read the Federalist and
Anti-Federalist
perspectives linked to
the Edmodo page.
On the discussion
board, explain the
major perspectives of
both parties.
Write a short bio about
a Federalist or AntiFederalist of your
choice on the
Wikispaces page. First
come, first serve (no
repeats)
Read the Bill of Rights
and translate them into
your own words and email that document to
me.
Explain your favorite
Amendment on the
discussion board and
why it is your favorite.
Create your own
amendment and post it

American Treaties

10

Political conflicts and the

Supreme Court

11

Comparing the North and South

12

Westward expansion and

slavery

13

Major reforms

on the class wiki page.

Research a major event
outside of the US post
American Revolution
and explain how it
impacted our country
on the class wiki page.
Discussion post on your
thoughts about
Washingtons farewell
address.
Read the documents
about the Louisiana
Purchase from the class
Edmodo page and
comment on the class
discussion board.
Read the book sections
about the political
conflicts in early
America.
Choose what party you
side with and explain
why on the discussion
board.
Review an important
early Supreme Court
case and report on it on
the class wiki page.
Complete a Venn
diagram and write a 2-3
page essay comparing
the North and South
and e-mail it to me.
On the discussion
board, please explain
the importance of
slavery to the
economics of the South.
On the class wiki page,
please explain the Trail
of Tears, Manifest
Destiny, or the
Mexican-American war.
On the discussion
board, explain womens
suffrage and the

14

Civil War (part I)

15

Civil War (part II)

16

Reconstruction

17

American after the Civil War

18

Current public policy

Final

Comprehensive exam and

Public policy essay due

educational
movements.
Please write a 1-2 page
essay on a key
contributor to womens
rights or the education
movement and e-mail it
to me.
Read about the reasons
for the Civil War
Choose a side in the war
and post your thoughts
on the discussion board.
Analyze the battles of
the Civil War and report
on the battle you are
assigned to the class
wiki page.
Explain the
Emancipation
Proclamation and its
reception on the
discussion board.
Analyze the 13th-15th
amendment and
comment on their
importance on the
discussion board.
Explain the 13th, 14th, or
15th amendment on the
class wiki page.
Choose a key topic from
this time period and
write an opinion essay
on it.
Choose a current
political issue, resolve
the issue, and explain
how that will impact
our future either
negatively or positively
(1-2 pages) and share it
with a class peer.
Study all your materials
for the final
E-mail me the final copy
of your position essay.

Complete the online

final.

Attendance Requirements:
In order to receive full credit for attendance in this class, you will need to complete all
discussion post entries and will need to respond to at least ten entries from your peers in a constructive
or positive way.