Cambridge AICE History I Mr. Trotter james.trotter@mnps.org John Overton High School Class Website: www.trotteraice.wordpress.com Course Description: AICE* History I is an in-depth study of US History from the period of Manifest Destiny (1840s) through the Great Depression and the New Deal (1930s). It counts as one of the seven credits required for the Cambridge Diploma. The course is designed to be a college-level class, and many students may find it quite challenging. History at this level is not merely memorizing facts. We will focus on historical arguments, essay writing, and document analysis skills. It is my hope that students will become better readers, writers, and thinkers along the way. Behavior Expectations: As Cambridge students and juniors there is no excuse for poor behavior. You have chosen to be here. I expect students to behave professionally and appropriately. Disruptive behavior or actions that are detrimental to your or others education will not be tolerated. Every student has the right to learn, and we will all respect that right. In general, it is expected that you WORK HARD AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE. Be on time, and be prepared to work. Students should take care of personal business between classes. School policies for electronic devices, dress, tardiness and absences will be followed. Excessive tardiness and behavior issues will result in detentions, referrals, and other penalties. Technology: Technology is a wonderful thing, and it can be an incredible tool for learning. However, it can also be an incredible distraction. Cell phones or other electronic devices are not to be used during class unless directly specified by the teacher for an instructional purpose. Texting, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media should never be used in class. Be aware that I will confiscate cell phones, electronics, food, and anything that causes disruptions in class. Class Texts: There is not a standard textbook for Cambridge History. Instead, we will be reading from multiple sources including primary and secondary sources on the topics we cover. Most of these will be posted to the class website. Checking the website, keeping up with assignments, and taking notes on readings is vital to your success. Absences & Make-ups: You are responsible for any work that you miss due to absences or field trips. Always check the website to see what you missed. If you are absent on the day of a summative assessment, you must make arrangements to make it up within ONE WEEK. If you are absent on the presentation day of a group project, you must have planned for this and you must make arrangements with your group. *AICE Advanced International Certificate of Education
Class Supplies: Organization is important to your success in this class. You will need a 3-ring binder, loose-leaf paper, and pens/pencils. We will take a large volume of notes during class activities, and I will give you many hand-outs. I would suggest you have one section of you notebook for each of the five units we will cover throughout the year. You will also need one section in your notebook specifically for First Four activities. Some students will also find it helpful to use highlighters and/or colored pens. Also, please purchase and bring one or two of the following items to contribute to our class community. These will make all of our lives easier throughout the year: Kleenex boxes, hand sanitizer, box of colored pencils, Crayola markers, Expo dry-erase markers, ream of copy paper (any color). Your contributions are greatly appreciated! Assessments: Many different types of assessment will be used throughout the year. Most summative assessments will be written essays, but there will also be some short answer, projects, and presentations. Formative quizzes will be used to reinforce the basic facts of the particular subject that we are studying. These quizzes are essential for building knowledge of the larger concepts, topics and themes that we will be covering in class every day. You will be able to use any notes that you have written on your own paper for quizzes. Formative assessments are vital to measure progress and to build skills leading up to summative assessments. Summative Retakes: Retakes are available for summative assessments within the allotted time. This is usually a one-week window after assessments are graded and returned. There will also be a required re-take assignment that must be completed before students may do the retake. This is important to reinforce skills and knowledge needed to succeed on the summative task. Component 1 40% of the AICE History Exam Course Content and Pacing Unit 1 - Background & Origins of the US Civil War 1846-1861 Component 2 60% of the AICE History Exam Unit 2 - The Civil War & Reconstruction 1861-1877 Unit 3 - Expansion of US Power and Global Interactions 1840-1930 Unit 4 - The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era 1870s-1920s Unit 5 - The Great Depression & the New Deal 1929-1941 Cambridge Students in AICE History are required to take the Cambridge AICE exam in May. Students who do well on the exam will earn one credit toward the AICE Diploma and may be able to earn college credit.
Tips for Succeeding in Cambridge History Check the class website after every class, and do the assigned readings. Take notes on everything we read and/or discuss. Keep your notes, articles, and handouts organized in one binder. Use your major themes sheet as a guide and a checklist on what to study and how the readings fit into what we are doing in class. Look back over your notes in the afternoon when you get home. This refreshes your memory, and gives you a chance to go back over anything you didn t understand or need to ask about next class. Use a study partner or group to hold each other accountable, to answer each other s questions, and to get anything you miss when you are absent. Put down your phone (or other distractions) and really participate in class. You ll be amazed at the difference this can make. Eat hot chicken. It will change your life. If you do these things, you are more likely to perform up to your ability level. I think you can get an A. I want you to succeed. However, this takes effort!!! WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? To pass the test. To get good grades To graduate from high school. To pass the Cambridge History exam. To prepare for college. To earn the Cambridge Diploma. To effectively communicate & evaluate arguments. To understand and utilize historical processes. To use history to evaluate the present and guide the future. To participate actively & effectively as a citizen in a democracy.
http://trotteraice.wordpress.com AICE History I - Fall Semester 2017 james.trotter@mnps.org Work hard and be nice to people." Aug. 7 Welcome & Course Intro 14 Manifest Destiny & Mex-Am War & Wilmot 21 28 Uncle Tom s Cabin 4 Labor Day 8 9 Unit 1 Intro Origins of the Civil War Compromise of 1850 29 30 KS-NE Act & Bleeding Kansas Dred Scott v Sandford 11 12 John Brown & Harper s Ferry 1.2 Mini-Assessment 18 Election of 1860 Results & Impacts Lincoln vs. Davis Oct. 2 Secession of the South 3 4 Unit 1 Assessment 17 Results of Mex- Am War: Treaty of G-H Fugitive Slave Act 1.1 Mini-Assessment 13 14 Election of 1860 Campaign 10 11 Slavery, Govt, and Expansion MO Compromise 18 25 31 Sept. 1 National Politics Democrats & Republicans Lincoln-Douglas Debates 21 Lincoln vs. Davis Evaluating causes of the Civil War 29 9 Fall Break 10 Fall Break 11 Fall Break 12 Fall Break 13 Fall Break Unit 2 Intro Resources & Strategy Emancipation Proclamation 30 Reconstruction Goals & Dilemmas 6 Reconstruction: Phases 13 Compromise of 1877 Leadership & Political aims 20 21 Unit 2 Assessment 31 Nov. 1 Parent Conferences Ex-slaves & The White South 14 Evaluating Unit 4 Intro Manifest Destiny & Mex War Redux 4 US & Mexico 11 12 Life & Politics: North & South Mid-Unit 2 Quiz Reconstruction US & Cuba Life during the War: Civil Liberties 2 Reconstruction: Phases 27 9 10 Veterans Day 17 23 Thanksgiving 29 30 Indian Wars, Alaska & Debates on Expansion 14 3 24 Dec. 1 Paper 1 Exam Review 14
http://trotteraice.wordpress.com AICE History I - Spring Semester 2018 Work hard and be nice to people. Jan. 2 3 Banana Wars & Diplomacy james.trotter@mnps.org 4 5 US & Europe Naval Power 8 9 US & WW I MLK Day US & China 10 11 US & Post-War Settlements US & Japan 12 19 Hawaii & the Philippines 29 30 Unit 4 Intro: Industrialization, Innovation & Growth 5 Immigration, Growth & Recession 12 13 Progressives & Political Reform 19 26 Progressive Presidents 6 7 Immigration, Urbanization & City Life 20 Progressives & Business Reform Unit 4 Assessment 12 Crash & Depression: Economic & Social Change 19 Election of 1932 - Hoover vs. FDR & Progressives & Constitutional Change 31 Feb. 1 Innovation, Growth & Tariffs Unit 3 Assessment 8 9 Farming Crisis & Populists 14 Progressives, Prohibition, and Women s Rights 21 Progressive Presidents Unit 4 Intro Boom to Bust 13 14 Great Depression: Political Change Election of 1932 20 21 2 23 March 1 2 23 26 27 28 29 30 2 nd New Deal; FDR & Opposition to the New Spring Break Political Strategy Deal: Left & Right April 2 Spring Break 3 Spring Break 4 Spring Break 5 Spring Break 6 Spring Break 9 10 Opposition to the New Deal: FDR & The Supreme Court Evaluating FDR & The New Deal 3 24 AICE Exam Review 30 May 1 Paper 1 Exam? 11 12 Evaluating FDR & The New Deal AICE Exam Review 9 13 Unit 5 Assessment 2 3 4 27 7 Paper 2 Exam? 8 9 10 11 14 21 23 24 25 In-service Day