Ms.

Le
MEDS Pathway
lle1@lbschools.net
Room 516
Office Hours: Periods 2 & 7,
after school and by appointment
562-591-0581 ex 5415

SYLLABUS: United States History

2022-2023
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! My name is Lauren Le and I am excited to be your US
History teacher! This class will cover many topics within our country’s diverse history. It is
more important that students find themselves in the classroom instruction so that they are
able to have a better understanding of who they are. This class will emphasize inclusion,
diversity, and social awareness. I hope that students will walk away having a deeper passion
for our nation’s history, but also a desire to be the change they want to see in the world around
them.

POLY SUPPORT SERVICES:

MEDS Counselor, Dana Zapanta dzpanta@lbschools.net, ext. 5204

Care Center, Michael Gray mgray@lbschools.net, ext. 5898

School Psychologist, Jeannine jporter@lbschools.net, ext 5254

Porter

MEDS Administrator, Andrea aitson@lbschools.net, ext. 5110

Itson

COURSE PURPOSE:
Through an investigation and corroboration of evidence, students examine the major turning
points in American History from the Industrial Revolution through the twenty first century. The
year begins with a review of the colonies and the American Revolution, westward expansion, the
Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis should be placed on the expanding role of the federal
government and the federal courts; the balance of power between the right of the individual and
states rights; and the continuing struggle between minority rights and majority power. Importance
should also be placed on the emergence of a global economy, the impact of technology on
American society and culture, the movements toward equal rights for racial minorities and
women, and the role of the United States as a major world power. Students in this course will be
expected to analyze complex secondary and primary sources, as well as write argumentative
essays. The culminating activity for the course is an American History Civics Inquiry Project
wherein students research an American History Project and engage in a related community action

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
● Evaluate how the federal government grew between the late nineteenth and twenty first
centuries.
● Analyze what it means to be an American in modern times.
● Trace how the United States becomes a superpower.
● Explain how the United States’ population became more diverse in the twentieth century.1 1
● Use media, informational texts and case studies in order to acquire, process, report information,
and solve problems.
● Articulate concepts important to the study of United States History such as opportunity cost,
benefit cost analysis, comparative advantage, marginal cost, supply, demand, monopoly,
monetary policy, fiscal policy and others.
● Determine the main ideas and definitions of terms in informational texts in order to make
meaning of concepts significant to United States History.
● Utilize listening and speaking to communicate claims and reasoning with evidence.
● Integrate information from multiple sources to generate a coherent written, oral or visual
product.
● Write informational and argumentative texts to explain current events and express varying
perspectives.
● Apply appropriate technical skills and academic knowledge.
● Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason.
● Apply technology to enhance productivity.
● Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
● Act as a responsible citizen in the workplace and the community.
● Model integrity, ethical leadership, and effective management.
● Work productively in teams while integrating cultural and global competence.
● Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
● Employ valid and reliable research strategies.
● Understand the environmental, social, and economic impacts of decisions.

TEXTBOOK: Appleby, Joyce, Brinkley, Alan, Broussard, Albert S., McPherson, James, Ritchie, Donald A.,
Impact: California Social Studies, United States History and Geography, Continuity & Change.
Columbus: McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.
-Also accessible in the student portal.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS:
-Binder/Folder for all printed materials that will be given by me.
-Computer for Canvas, Google Suite, etc.

UNITS:
 Unit Title

1 Scientific Foundations of
Tenets of American Democracy

2 Industrialization, Urbanization and Immigratin

3 Progressive Era

4 Expanding American Global Influence

5 Modern America in the 1920s

6 Great Depression and New Deal

7 Cold War

8 Civil Rights

9 Contemporary Problems

ASSIGNMENTS/GRADING:
i. Formative Assessment……………………………………………………..40%
ii. Summative Assessment……………………………………………………60%

The grading scale is as follows:

90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
0-59%= F

There will be an automatic 5% decrease in any unexcused late assignment. The lowest score to receive on
any assignment is a 50%, F.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Do your own work to the best of your ability. Take responsibility for your own work, even if
it’s late. Plagiarism will result in a zero for both parties. Continued dishonesty will abide by
Poly's disciplinary rules.

ATTENDANCE/TARDY:
Attendance is important because we are constantly going through information since it’s an AP class.
A tardy occurs when you are not in the class when the bell rings. The class will adhere to Poly’s
tardy policies.
LATE WORK/RETAKES:
Assignments will lose 5% each day it is turned in late and is unexcused.
Retakes are not available, but students have the ability to do test corrections to help score.

CLASSROOM NORMS
-Everyone will be treated with respect.
-This classroom will be a space where everyone is heard and will feel valued.
-Students will be held accountable for their own actions.
-Allow classmates a place to have their voices heard.
CELL PHONES/DISTRACTIONS
Cell phones are not allowed in class during direct instruction. Phones and smart devices are not
allowed during tests or quizzes.
Please keep this syllabus in your notebook for the remainder of the year. Your signature, along
with your parents’/guardians’ indicates that this syllabus has been read and each of you
understands the guidelines presented.

********** Please detach this sheet and return to Ms. Le on_______________________**********

Student Name: _____________________________________________ Period: _________

Last Name First

“I have read Ms. Le’s United States History Syllabus and will try my best this year.”

_______________________________ _____________________________________
Student Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________ _______________________________

Last Name First

Preferred Phone: (________) ___________________

Does someone in the household speak English? _____________

If not, what language is spoken? __________________________