Hola!

We will get started shortly but until

then
Once you take a seat, please quietly
take a slip of paper from the center
of your table, fold it in half hotdog
style, write your first name and last
initial on one of the halves, then fold
it so that it sits on your desk like a
tent with your name facing the front.

-Taking notes is optional throughout the presentation.

Introduction
AGS is a program that focuses more on connecting the core
classes, service
learning, global and analytical thinking, traveling, etc.
Today as part of our final grade for our English and History we
were given the challenge of coming to your school and teaching
you.
The country we chose was Mexico, and more specifically the
borderlands. You
have probably heard quite a lot about all the border issues, after all
you live in a border
state.

Warm-Up
Youll see a series of photos and you must
guess if they were taken in Mexico or not
Raise your hand if you think yes the image is
of Mexico, and keep your hand down if you
think it isnt.

All of the images shown were different

destinations throughout Mexico!

Are you surprised about some of the pictures? Which ones? Why?

North

Northern Mexico
- Influenced by
South Western
United States
- Sour cream,
cheese, flour
tortillas
- Wear jeans,
cowboy boots,
and hats
- American
North
music

Cultural Differences

Southern
Mexico
- Influenced by
Indigenous
cultures
- Corn tortillas
and chilli
rellenos
- Light,
homemade
clothes because
of the muggy
climate
- Listen to and
dance to salsa
and mambo
music

South

Geographical Differences
Even the geography is different; the North is more arid with deserts and
mountains, whereas the south is tropical and covered in jungles.

South: Playa Del Carmen

North: Chihuahuan Desert

Literature and Artistic Elements of

Culture
-Please take a moment to silently read over the poem that is in the
center of your table.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18zn2QTGSOeGI3RY2kg3lUVDDncuRDkct-00X2QFM4kg/edit

-Mexican Music Samples:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQwOuTiY-A
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTYfiUZ1jKo

Immigration
Mexico is a pretty interesting and beautiful place, but so many Mexicans
are risking their lives to cross the border. Why do you think they would
do that?

Statistics
- The illegal immigrant population of the United States in 2008 was estimated to be
about 11 million people, down from 12.5 million people in 2007.
- Other estimates range from 7 to 20 million.
- 57% of illegal immigrants were from Mexico
- 21% were from other Latin American countries, primarily from Central America
- nearly 1,640,000 people, or 14% of Texass total population is comprised of
illegal immigrants.

Top three countries with the most

Illegal immigration into the U.S.
Country
of Origin

Total
Number

Total %

1.Mexico

6,650,000

62%

2. El
Salvador

530,000

5%

3.
Guatemal
a

480,000

4%

History of Mexican Immigration

During the time of the Texas Revolution in 1836, the number of
Hispanics fluctuated, but then increased perceptibly, so that the first
federal census taken of Texas in 1850 counted more than 14,000
residents of Mexican origin.
(Arnold De Len, MEXICAN AMERICANS)

Mexican/Texas
Border

Border Crossing Simulation

Background Information:
Coyote: The guide whose job is to take you across the border
You will travel 161 miles
Which is equivalent to 805 laps around the O.Henry track
Your journey will take you about 2 weeks.
Everything you carry from home is in a backpack including your food and water.

Tasks
Pay Emily (coyote) when you exit the classroom. She will wait by the
door as you do so.
Go into hall
Enter class and crawl to the other side of the room.
The border patrol will appear.
Depending on your location when the patrol appears, you will either
live or die.

You are now a group of illegal immigrants about to

cross the border from Nuevo Laredo Mexico, to
San Antonio, TX. Your coyote is Emily, she will try
her best to guide you across.

Crossing the border is a dangerous journey and

the number of deaths increase annually. However
you seek a better life in the United States and are
all willing to take the risk.

Pay Emily your 500 dollars as you exit into the

hall. When you return into the class the lights will
be off representing the unknown fears of crossing
the border. There will be a river that you will have
to cross.

You will crawl on your knees in the dark to the

other side of the classroom, but be careful
because the border patrol could appear at any
time in helicopters. If the lights turn on, then the
border patrol has found you.

If you are in the safe zone when the lights

turn on, then you have successfully crossed
the border. You can now make a life for
yourself in the United States as an illegal
immigrant.

If you dont make it to the safe zone, wait for

further instructions.

Pop Quiz!!!
-You are going to take a ten question pop quiz over everything you learned today.
-Answer all ten of the questions to the best of your ability, we will go over the answers afterwards as
a class.
-Those who decided to take notes may use them on the quiz, but may not share with a neighbor.
Your notes are for YOUR EYES ONLY.
-You will have five minutes, so get going!