Monterey Trail High school Instructor: Mrs. Rios-Siemers Contact: 688-0050 Ext.4349 Chicano Studies Course Syllabus "We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation." --Cesar Chavez Course Outline This course has been designed as a survey course of the Chicano /Mexican people prior to the Spanish colonization of the Americas to the present century. This course will provide an overview of culture, religion, education, economics, immigration and civil rights. We will examine the Spanish, Indian, Mexican contributions to the development of Western United States. Students will examine how the social constructs of race and class influence social behavior and self-identity of the people of Mexican descent. In the process of reading and analyzing scholarly interpretations and firsthand accounts of the Natives perspective we will be asking several questions. They include (but are in no way limited to) the following: How have Native Americans contributed to our society? What historical events led to the Chicano Movement? Are the contributions of Mexican s acknowledged or ignored? What are the achievements of Latinos? Grades This class will consist primarily of discussions centered around assigned readings. All students will have the opportunity to lead class discussion, which will count as twenty percent of their participation grade. Thirty percent will be based on their interactive notebook, which will contain homework and class assignments. Thirty percent of their grade will be determined by tests, quizzes and projects. The remaining twenty percent is based on the final paper and Power Point Presentations. 1. Oral and written participation 20% 2. Interactive Notebook/ Homework 30% 3. Tests, Projects and Quizzes 30%
4. Final exam 20% 90% and above = A 80% to 89% = B 70% to 79% = C 58%to 69% = D 57% and below = not passing Class Objectives 1. Students will develop basic learning skills: vocabulary development, reading comprehension, outlining, note taking, and essay writing. 2. Students will use critical thinking skills, which will teach students how to compare and contrast key events in history. 3. Students will be assessed on an on going basis through group discussion, quizzes, projects, presentations, and exams. Class Expectations Class Consequences 1. Be on time 1. Warning 2. Be Respectful 2. Student teacher meeting 3. Participate 3. 3 min reflective time outside/call home 4. Be an Active Learner 4. OCS 5. Referral School Wide Technology Rules Students will not be allowed to use cell phones / pagers during the school day. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off during the school day. This includes during class periods, breaks, passing or lunch periods. If a student violates these conditions, they will have their cell phone confiscated. Tardy Policy The school policy will be strictly enforced. All students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. If they are not, they will be considered tardy. Tardy Consequences 1-3Teacher Warning 3 rd - Parent Phone Call 4 th OCS /Referral to VP School Wide Expectations Student Expectations students are expected to follow the Positive Learning Behaviors (PLB s) at all times. Be at School students are expected to be at school everyday. Be on Time students are expected to be in their assigned seat when the bell rings. Be Prepared to Learn students are expected to have their materials and homework completed.
Be Respectful students are expected to respect teachers, students, and the classroom. Be an Active Listener students are expected to listen and focus on instruction. Be a Positive Participant students are expected to engage in class activities and discussions for the entire period. MAKEUP WORK Make up work will be permitted for students with excused absences only. Students are responsible for finding out missed assignments. They will have the same number of days you were absent to make up your work with an excused absence. No credit will be given if the absence is unexcused. Students will need to borrow movie notes or lecture notes from a class member or make an appointment to see me outside of class time. If you are absent from class because of a leave of grounds, form C, or athletics you must turn in work when it is due. Homework/Class Work When working on homework or class work, you must do your own work. Do not copy another student s work. Doing so will result in a zero for you and the person you are copying no matter what! Homework is due at the beginning of each period. Restroom Passes Students are permitted to use two restroom passes during the term. Each student will receive two passes and they can be used or returned back to the teacher for up to 20 points of extra credit. Students may not use another student s pass during the term and may not submit another student s pass for extra credit. The teacher must approve all pass requests and only one student is allowed to use the hall pass at a time. NO PASSES WILL BE ISSUED DURING THE FOLLOWING TIME PERIODS THE FIRST AND LAST 10 MINUTES OF CLASS QUIZZES AND TESTS WHILE ANOTHER STUDENT IS USING THE RESTROOM Participation Ten points will be awarded each day. Points are based on student s attendance, daily participation in class activities, behavior and coming to class prepared. Points will be deducted if a student is participating in a negative manner, talking, passing notes, sleeping, reading in appropriate material, failure to bring materials, tardies and unexcused absences. Participation accounts for 20% of the overall term grade. All or a portion of participation points will be given on average daily participation in class activities and discussions. Daily attendance is the key to participation. If a student regularly misses class, he/she is less able to participate and their participation grade will be reduced. Class participation is not something that can be made up, however I will offer extra credit during the term to compensate.
Interactive Notebook Students are required to maintain a neat organized notebook. The Interactive Notebook is 20% of a student s overall grade. Notebooks will be collected and graded throughout the term. Notebooks will consist of daily openers, class assignments and homework. Class Supplies 100 pg. 3 Ring Note-book Colored Pencils or Markers Black or Blue Pens Highlighter Glue Stick Tutoring If students are not passing the class with a C they are required to attend before school tutoring from 7:30-8:00am during Monday -Friday. I will call home and inform parent if I feel they are in need of additional help. Posting Grades Grades are updated and posted on the Monterey Trail website school loop throughout each month. Parents or students may request a print out of their grades at any time. Notification of possible failure is done through progress reports and home phone calls. Student Print: Student Signature: Period: Course: Monterey Trail High School will challenge ALL students to realize their greatest potential while preparing them for their future.