Culturally Relevant U.

S History Mexican American Viewpoint

Ms. Statham
Room 222

A little about Ms. Statham

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia; I have also lived in New York and California. I graduated from San Clemente High School
in San Clemente, California. I went to the University of Arizona and earned Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology
and a Masters of Education in Teaching and Teacher Education. I got engaged over the summer, I have an older brother
and a cat named Tammy.

Ways to Contact Ms. Statham

Sign up for Remind app→ you can text Ms. Statham any day any time between 6:00am and 9:00pm.
Email Ms. Statham, emails will be answered between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm Alison.Statham@tusd1.org

Overview
This class is a US History course with a Mexican American Viewpoint. This is an elected class that will count as the
American History Credit, towards graduation. This class is based around student inquiring and research; students will be
required to do presentations in and out of class. This class will use Kegan and AVID strategies to better prepare each
student for college. There may be opportunities for field trips, but this is only available for students who are passing all of
their classes. This class is meant for each student to learn his/her roots and to see how each student has control over
his/her future, controversial topics will be discussed and all opinions will be honored. This class is based on mutual
respect and discovery.

Rules and Expectations

Be present mentally and physically.
Be on time in your seat and ready to go with materials.
Be active, participate in class.
Be respectful of your follow classmates.
Believe in yourself, have confidence in your thoughts.
In Lak Ech, respect for others and yourself.

Classroom Procedure
Bell work: Every class will begins with bell work, tardy and unexcused absent students can make up partial points
through before school or through appointments after school. Bell work sheets are turned in every two weeks.
Cell phones: There will be days when cell phones may be used in class, for projects, definitions and organizing, but, the
use of cell phones for personal reasons (texting, facebook, snapchating, etc.) is prohibited and will be confiscated until the
end of class. Cell phones may be charged in class at the student’s own risk and students may not visit the phone until the
end of class. If the phone is taken away twice in a week the student will have to hand it over at the beginning of class for 5
days. In the case of a family emergency let me know that you may need to step out to take a call or answer a text message.
Headphones: Headphones should be removed from ears upon walking into the classroom. Ms. Statham will notify you
when you can listen to music while working.
Late Work: Assignments turned in late will be accepted without penalty as long as they are turned in within one week of
the due date. After one week, assignments turned in late will automatically lose 10% from the overall grade of the
assignment. Large projects and assignments will be worth ½ credit if turned in late. All small assignments can be made up
before or after school until the late work due date at the end of the grading period. Late work dues are as follows
 Quarter 1: September 28
 Quarter 2: December 14
 Quarter 3: March 8
 Quarter 4: May 17
Absent Work: If you are absent check the calendar located in the classroom for what you missed. If you missed notes
please ask a classmate for the notes. If you missed a handout, reading or worksheet you can find it in a folder located on
the counter in the back of the room.
Assignments: Assignments consist of readings, small write-ups, movie notes, lecture notes, Q & A, debates, essays and
presentations.
Essays: May be submitted via email (Alison.Statham@tusd1.org) no later than midnight on the due date.
Bathroom Passes: You will get a restroom punch card which will allow you to use the bathroom 6 times a semester. If at
the end of the semester you have no punches you will receive extra credit. If you lose the card or are late to class you will
not be able to use the bathroom.

Mandatory Grade Check

Once a quarter students must come in before school, during conference period or after school to complete a grade check.

Grading
● 20% Encuentro
● 20% Classwork/Participation
● 30% Action Research Project/Essay
● 10% Summative Assessments/Projects
● 10% Two Part Midterm/Final
● 10% Bellwork

Attendance
Pueblo High School Attendance Policy will be followed.
That means in your seat before the bell rings, supplies out and ready.
Excused Absences- Plan to come in before or after school to get handouts, make up class work and to find out about any
future homework, assignments and/or quizzes/exams. Students who are absent on the due date of an assignment must
submit the work the first day back or it is late.
Unexcused Absences—Students must come before or after school to get missing work. Any work submitted after the
makeup date will be declined.
Tardies are my biggest pet peeves! The door will be locked for the 1st 5 mins of class after the bell stops ringing. Late
students will need to fill out a paper and hand it to the teacher in order to be counted as present.
The student is 100% responsible for whatever class time he/she misses even if the child was delayed by another
teacher or administrator, running late from the counseling office or coming back from a field trip.

After School
Every Thursday I will stay after school in my room from 3:20- 4:30, no appointment needed. I will not stay after school
everyday. If students need to meet with me on other days, they may make an appointment to stay after school. If a student
signs up and does not show up twice they will lose the privilege of making up work by appointment.

Things to do to be more successful Materials

 Sign up for Gmail  Binder or folder (to keep papers)
 Download Google Drive on your phone or computer  Loose leaf paper or another notebook
 Sign up for Remind App on your phone. Text the  2 Composition notebooks (lecture notes and
code the matches your class period to the following research notes)
number 81010  Pen/pencils/eraser
 Period 1 @1statham  Highlighters
 Period 5 @5statham
 Period 6 @6statham
 Period 7 @7statham
Major Assignments Action Research Product
Recite the Definite Dozen 2 Encuentros
Action Research Paper 2 part Midterm
Action Research Presentation 2 part Final

Encuentros
There will be at least 1 Encuentro a semester; students are required to attend both events. These are essential part of the
class and are worth 20% of the semester grade. Encuentros are a way to bring the community to the classroom, family and
friends are welcomed to join. There will be food, games, and student work will be displayed.

Encuentro Dates
Please make arrangements to be at this event on _______________________ and _______________________

Units for the year

Critical Thinking and Action Research Conflict
Pedagogy of the Oppressed Revolution
Banking Education Slavery and the Civil War
4 I’s of Oppression and Liberation Reconstruction
Action Research- year long US Mexican war
Music analysis Vietnam
World Wars
Identity War on Drugs
Pre-contact & Colonization
Immigration Solutions and Social Change
Braceros/scapegoating Anti- War
Manifest Destiny Chicano
Boarding schools Black
AIM
Women
LGBTQ
Labor
Black Lives Matter

Everyone is capable of earning an A in the course if they attend class and work hard on all of their assignments.

Please fill out the This is Me survey online. Follow the link and answer ALL of the questions. The online survey needs to
be done by Monday Aug. 8th by midnight for full credit.
http://goo.gl/forms/Qt5iG7UsXJOMRwRD3
Read, sign and have your guardian sign the Contract and turn in on Monday.

Student Learning Contract

Please write your initials next to each item and your signature at the end.
___1. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the requirements for Ms. Statham’s American History class. I am
responsible for keeping up to date on assignments and work. I will not use “I forgot” or “I didn’t know it was due today”
as an excuse.
___ 2. I am responsible for asking questions when I do not understand the content presented. I will not use “I didn’t
understand or know” as an excuse for not completing an assignment on time. It is my responsibility to bring to the teacher
any questions, comments, and reactions to this course that affect my ability to learn.
___ 3. I understand that this class will use active learning and cooperative learning teaching techniques. This will require
participation and involvement on my part.
___ 4. I am responsible for knowing assignment dates and deadlines and or meeting these. I understand that late work will
receive less credit.
___ 5. I acknowledge that the teacher is not responsible for decisions I make about how I spend my time, such as
extracurricular activities, jobs, social life, or waiting until the last minute to complete assignments. My life is my
responsibility and it is my job to talk to Ms. Statham.
___6. I understand that I must participate and attend the Encuentros held by the class or my grade will suffer.
___7. I understand that I must participate in the Action Research project or my grade will suffer.
___8. I understand that phones are not allowed in class, unless approved by Ms. Statham.
___9. I understand that if my phone is taken away twice I will have to hand it over at the beginning of class for 5 days.
___10. I understand that my attendance in class is crucial to passing, if I am late three times to class in two weeks then I
will need to attend lunch detention.
__11. I understand that this is a Culturally Relevant Mexican American Viewpoint course that I elected to take.

I have read and understood the syllabus. Please sign below and have your parents sign as well. Return this contract for the
easiest 10points ever!

______________________________ ___________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s signature Student’s signature

Parent/ Guardian’s phone number: ___________________________________

Parent/ Guardian’s email address: ___________________________________

Print student name and period: _________________________________________________________________________