Springfield High School · Delco

US History & American Civics

Understanding our past to shape our future — one lesson at a time.

Welcome

Welcome! I'm a Social Studies teacher at Springfield High School in Delco, where I teach US History and American Civics & Government. My goal is to help students think critically about the events, ideas, and institutions that have shaped our nation — and to empower them to become informed, engaged citizens.

I believe history isn't just about memorizing dates. It's about understanding why things happened, how they connect, and what they mean for us today. In Civics, we dig into the Constitution, the branches of government, and the rights and responsibilities that come with living in a democracy.

Use the navigation above to visit each course page for syllabi, unit breakdowns, assignments, and resources. Students and parents are always welcome to reach out.

"

The best way to understand the present is to study the past — and the best way to shape the future is to understand your role as a citizen.

Choose a Course

Course 1

US History

From colonial foundations to modern America

Course Overview

This course explores the major events, themes, and turning points in American history — from the colonial era and the Revolution through the Civil War, industrialization, the World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, and into the 21st century.

Students will analyze primary sources, debate historical interpretations, and develop the skills to think like historians. We'll connect the past to the present, examining how historical decisions continue to shape American life today.

Key Units

1

Colonial America & the Revolution

Settlement of the colonies, causes of the Revolution, Declaration of Independence, and the war for independence.

2

The Constitution & Early Republic

Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, the Bill of Rights, and the presidencies of Washington through Jefferson.

3

Westward Expansion & Sectionalism

Manifest Destiny, the Louisiana Purchase, the Mexican-American War, and growing tensions between North and South.

4

The Civil War & Reconstruction

Causes of the Civil War, key battles, emancipation, and the Reconstruction era and its legacy.

5

Industrialization & Immigration

The Gilded Age, rise of industry and labor, immigration, urbanization, and the Progressive Era.

6

The World Wars & the Great Depression

World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II.

7

Cold War & Civil Rights

The Cold War, Korea and Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, and social change in the 1950s–70s.

8

Modern America

From the 1980s to today — the end of the Cold War, technology, globalization, terrorism, and contemporary issues.

Grading & Expectations

Grading Breakdown

  • Tests & Quizzes35%
  • Essays & DBQs25%
  • Projects & Presentations20%
  • Classwork & Homework15%
  • Participation5%

Class Expectations

  • Come to class prepared with materials and assigned readings
  • Participate respectfully in discussions and debates
  • Submit assignments on time — late work loses points per day
  • Use primary sources to support your arguments
  • Ask questions! Curiosity is the heart of history

Key Skills You'll Develop

Primary Source Analysis
Historical Argumentation
Document-Based Questions (DBQs)
Cause & Effect Reasoning
Historical Context
Research & Citation
Critical Reading
Comparative Analysis
Course 2

American Civics & Government

Know your rights. Know your government. Know your power.

Course Overview

This course examines the foundations of American government — the Constitution, the three branches, federalism, civil liberties, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students will learn how laws are made, how elections work, and how they can make their voices heard.

We'll also explore current events and connect them to the principles and structures that govern our democracy. By the end of the course, students will understand not just how government works, but why it matters in their daily lives.

Key Units

1

Foundations of Government

Why government exists, types of government systems, and the philosophical roots of American democracy.

2

The Constitution & Bill of Rights

The Constitutional Convention, the structure of the document, amendments, and the Bill of Rights in depth.

3

Legislative Branch — Congress

How a bill becomes a law, the House and Senate, committee systems, and the powers of Congress.

4

Executive Branch — The Presidency

Powers and roles of the president, the electoral college, the cabinet, and executive agencies.

5

Judicial Branch — The Courts

The federal court system, Supreme Court cases, judicial review, and how the courts interpret the law.

6

Federalism & State/Local Government

Division of power between federal and state governments, local government structures, and Pennsylvania government.

7

Civil Rights & Civil Liberties

Freedom of speech, religion, press, due process, equal protection, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

8

Elections, Media & Civic Participation

How elections work, political parties, the role of media, and how citizens can get involved and make a difference.

Grading & Expectations

Grading Breakdown

  • Tests & Quizzes30%
  • Projects & Presentations25%
  • Essays & Reflections20%
  • Classwork & Homework15%
  • Participation10%

Class Expectations

  • Stay informed about current events — we discuss them weekly
  • Participate respectfully in discussions, even when we disagree
  • Back up your opinions with evidence and constitutional reasoning
  • Complete civic engagement projects on time
  • Respect diverse viewpoints — democracy requires listening

Key Skills You'll Develop

Constitutional Analysis
Case Briefing
Policy Evaluation
Civic Argumentation
Media Literacy
Research & Citation
Debate & Deliberation
Civic Engagement

Student Resources

Tools and links to support your learning in both courses

General Resources

📜

Primary Sources

Links to the National Archives, Library of Congress, and document collections for research and analysis.

🏛

Government Resources

USA.gov, Congress.gov, and SCOTUSblog for tracking legislation, court decisions, and government info.

📰

Current Events

Trusted news sources and fact-checking tools to stay informed and analyze media critically.

📚

Study Tools

Quizlet flashcards, study guides, and review materials aligned with our units and key terms.

✏️

Writing & Citation

Purdue OWL, Chicago/Turabian guides, and essay rubrics to help you write like a historian.

🔕️

Civic Engagement

Voter registration info, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in your community.

US History Resources

🗂️

National Archives

Founding documents, historical records, and primary source collections from the federal government.

📖

Library of Congress

Digitized documents, photographs, maps, and oral histories spanning all eras of American history.

🗺️

Historical Maps

Interactive maps showing territorial expansion, battle sites, and changing borders over time.

Civics & Government Resources

⚖️

Constitution Center

Interactive Constitution, educational resources, and deep dives into each amendment and article.

📊

Congress.gov

Track legislation, find your representatives, and follow bills as they move through Congress.

🏛

PA State Government

Learn about Pennsylvania's government structure, find your state reps, and track state legislation.

Contact

Students and parents — feel free to reach out

Get in Touch

Have a question about coursework, assignments, or class expectations? I'm here to help. Reach out anytime during the school day or during office hours.

Mr. Holloway

Social Studies Department

Springfield High School · Delco

✉ teacher@example.org

🕗 Available: Before school & after school by appointment

Office Hours

Monday: 3:00–3:45 PM

Wednesday: 7:30–8:00 AM

Friday: 3:00–3:45 PM

Room assignments posted weekly on the classroom door.