Multicultural Studies Syllabus

Syllabus and learning objectives
Multicultural studies and basic math skills
Spring of 2007

Math
Our school wide goal is for every student to master the basic math skills that no one should graduate from high school without knowing.

For that reason, every C block class at Academy del Sol will take responsibility for learning these skills.

There will be a test every Friday. If 80% of the class passes the test, the class earns rewards.

80% of all students will pass the following tests with a grade of 80% or better:

fractional parts, equivalent fractions, reducing fractions, ordering fractions,
mixed numbers/improper fractions, least common denominator, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying and dividing fractions, proportions, ratios, number lines, and converting fractions to decimals.


Multicultural studies

Students of this class will gain knowledge and appreciation of the diverse cultural backgrounds of people in the United States.

One week will be spent learning vocabulary basic to the study of cultures and societies.

During two weeks we will focus on the history and literature of the Native Americans, including the Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayas, the Trail of Tears, the Long Walk of the Navajo, the Apaches and Geronimo, the Navajo Way of Life and modern life on the reservation.

In subsequent weeks, we will focus on the history of Spanish exploration and conquest, Cabeza de Vaca, the history of Texas, the Mexican American War and its aftermath, Hispanics in modern times, and the writing of Rudolfo Anaya, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Sabine Ulibarri and Laura Esquivel.

We will study African American history and literature including slavery, the Amistad story, northern migration, racial tensions, race riots, and the writings of Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and Langston Hughes.

Irish Americans will be our topic for one week; the Scots and the English during another week, and the Germans and other ethnic groups during another.

We will write compositions based upon topics we have discussed.

Your grade will be based upon attendance, completion of daily writing assignments on issues of culture and society and your test results in math.