CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL

2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Course Title: American History

Instructor: Kevin Katz

Phone: 520-225-4189

Room Number: K-7

Email: Kevin.katz@tusd1.org

Online Classroom: All classes will be using Microsoft Teams to submit all assignments in the
appropriate dropbox.

Office Hours/After By appointment only, in K-7

School Availability:

Personal Statement: It’ll work just do the work!

Resources: This class will draw from the following materials:

· “American Visions” TUSD History Textbook
· “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn
· “Lies My Teacher Told Me” by James W. Loewen
· “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paulo Freire
· “Declarations of Independence: Cross Examining American
Ideology” by Howard Zinn
· “Latinx: The New Force in American Politics & Culture” by Ed
Morales

Recommended Supplies: One 2 Subject Notebook (for notes mostly)

Pencils and/or pens (blue or black ink only)
A computer for assignments

Course Description:
This core academic course is an in-depth study of the major development in
American history that encompasses the indigenous era through the present.
As a core course, students will engage in critical thinking and analysis of
historic events to develop their knowledge of self, community, and
contemporary issues impacting the United States and the diverse peoples
living here. This course provides students with an understanding of the
significant role of the United States in shaping the past, present and future
of domestic and global events.

Course Outline: Students and parents can refer to TUSD website at www.tusd1.org

· This course will ask several fundamental questions all year long: what roles did Mexican Americans
play in shaping the United States, and what does it mean to be Mexican American in the U.S. today?
· This will be a reading and writing intensive course, which will focus heavily on critical analysis of
historical material as well as social issues that continue to face Mexican Americans today.

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

· Indigenous America, · Conflict and · Social Movements, · Expanding American
Revolutionary War Resistance, Manifest Immigration & Consciousness, WW2,
and the Foundation Destiny, Mexican Urban America, Cold War, Civil Rights
of Government American War, Civil Women’s Rights, US Movements, Chicano
War Imperialism, WW1 Movement, A Modern USA
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Grading Policy: Parents and students please refer to TUSD Board Policy IKA-R posted on the TUSD website.

Grading System:

Grades are as follows:

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

Points for assignments are as follows:

· Papers / Essays / Projects – Points as assigned

· Tests, Midterms, Exams – 80 to 100 pts
· Homework – 10 to 20 pts
· Classwork – 10 to 20 pts
· Quizzes – 35 to 45 pts

Each classroom teacher will be entering 2 grades per week into Synergy. Please make sure you and your
parents/legal guardians make accounts with Synergy to stay up-to-date on your academic progress. I WILL
NOT PRINT OUT ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS, that’s what StudentVUE and ParentVUE are for.

Make Up Work/Late Work:

Per TUSD Board Policy: All make-up work needs to be completed within the same amount of time as students
are excused. Late assignments will only be accepted with an excused absence, and/or on a case-by-case basis.

Students are responsible to get missing assignments before or after class. Students are to come in before
school or during teacher office hours to make up work. Please discuss with classroom teacher /counselor in
advance of any known absences/extended illnesses.
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Classroom Procedures:

Classroom Participation:

A calm classroom is a boring one, and as such discussion and debates on content and material is highly
encouraged, and Students are expected to show mutual respect towards each other, the instructor, and each
other’s property. Students will also be expected to demonstrate maturity and common sense at all times.

Cell phone use is prohibited during lectures, though will be required for other classroom activities (see Online
Classroom section). The instructor reserves the right to confiscate any cell phone for misuse or abuse of cell
phones in class.

Attendance:

You are expected to come to class every day and be on time. Students who have 10 or more unexcused
classes per semester (August-December or January-May) may not pass the course, unless an attendance
appeal is completed and approved. Please call in any absence to Cholla’s attendance line at (520) 225-4202.

Tardies:

Please do not be tardy. Tardies mean missed instructional time. A 27 minute tardy equals an absence. A tardy
in the system could cause an automated attendance call home.

Hall Passes:

Cholla High School has a 10/10 rule. Students are expected to be in the classroom during the first ten minutes
and the last ten minutes class. These two time periods are critical points of instruction, and passes will only be
given for emergencies only.

Homework:

Students are expected to complete all homework and turn in assignments when they are due. Late assignments
will only be accepted with an excused absence, and/or on a case-by-case basis.

Food and Drink:

Food or drink may be brought in to the classroom, students however are responsible for all messes.
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Disciplinary Policy: Parents and Students please refer to TUSD website for Board Policy GSRR.

Teachers will use Cholla’s Teacher Managed Referral Flow Chart which includes parent contact and/or
parent conference as part of the student management process.

Class Expectations
Do’s Don’ts
-respect all people, property, and -Disrespect
boundaries
-Participate in class -Disturb the class by speaking
about unrelated subjects
-Be responsible for what you -irresponsible of your grade and
have missed when absent what you missed
-Be respectful and talk when -talk while other people are
prompted to in class talking
-Have a positive attitude in class -Take your anger out on others
-Take time off if you are feeling -Come to school sick
sick (send an email)
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Tips to be successful

-Pay attention to the Lectures! They will help with your assignments and
can use notes on exams.
-Do the work! Your grade will depend heavily on simply doing the
assignments. Doing them will greatly help your grade.
-Participation! Participating will not only make learning more fun, but will
also help aide you in your learning process.
-Don’t leave answers blank on tests or homework assignments!
-Clean up after your messes or food and drink privileges will be eliminated.

Positive Consequences
-Students who participate in class and answer questions well will get
Charger Coins to use around campus
-If students keep progressing in class they will receive a positive call home
for their parents.
-Students will also be able to collect Katz card collectables to try and
collect all the Katz Cards for good behavior.

Negative Consequences
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

-Students will get a call home for multiple bad behavior offenses
-If a student disrespects/is openly rude to other students they will receive a
warning and then will be sent to the office if behavior doesn’t change
-Lack of participation in class will lead to a negative participation grade

Letter to Parents!

Hello!
My name is Kevin Katz and I am your child’s Student teacher for
United States History! I am a student teacher with the University of Arizona
and I aim to teach United States History full time after I graduate from the
University with a Masters of Secondary Education! I am so honored to be
able to get the opportunity to teach United States History to your children
and get them to see some of the fun and interesting stories that come out
of learning from these time periods.
I am a recent newcomer to the Tucson area am from the Los
Angeles region. I graduated with a History Bachelor of Arts from California
State University Northridge, and now look forward to take my knowledge to
Arizona! Please sign the bottom of this document as proof of
documentation that you have read the course requirements and standards.
Thank you so much for your time!

Best,
Kevin Katz
 CHOLLA HIGH SCHOOL
2001 West Starr Pass Blvd. ▪ Tucson, AZ 85713 ▪ Ph. 520-225-4000

Parent Signature: ________________

Student Signature: _______________