Curated OER
Celebrate Texas!
Students explore social studies by completing a U.S. history research project. In this Texas instructional activity, students utilize almanacs, encyclopedias and the Internet to research the history of Texas and create a presentation...
Curated OER
Call to Arms: A Service Project
Sick of selling candy and washing cars? How about hosting a Digital Day or a Learning Lunch? The suggestions here make fund raising fun and rewarding. Raise money to preserve important maps and other primary source documents.
Gateways
Teaching the Easter Story
If you are looking for a secular approach to teaching about Easter, this may just be the resource for you. Pupils read a paraphrased text depicting the last supper, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible,...
Curated OER
A "State of the Arts" Coin 4-6
Students study the historical figures depicted on the penny,
nickel, dime, and quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in their design. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas...
Curated OER
Texas in the Mirror
Students research their own and others' perceptions about Texas and become familiar with various symbols from other cultures. In this Texas in the Mirror lesson plan, students write a web page with a picture of a Texan symbol. Students...
Curated OER
Texas History
Young scholars explore the history of Texas. Through researching factual books and folktales, students share their information about Texas. They discuss the Trail of Tears, Davy Crockett, the flags of Texas, and Sam Houston. Young...
Curated OER
Teaching with Poster Art: World War I Posters
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War I lesson, students examine World War I posters. Learners investigate the use of propaganda strategies in the posters and discuss the visual metaphors.
Curated OER
Hit the Trail
Students read about the history of cattle trails and complete language arts, math, social studies, and more activities about barbed wire. In this barbed wire lesson plan, students read poetry, research changes over time, draw cattle...
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas
Students analyze photographs from an historical perspective. They examine photos on the Study of Spanish-Speaking People of Texas website, complete a worksheet, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Mexican and American Views of Texas
Students study the territorial status of Texas in 1830, 1840, and 1846 and interpret an historical timeline. They develop a general statement of Mexican and American views of Texas.
Curated OER
The Texas Revolution: Exactly Who Were The Texans?
Middle schoolers examine the Texas Revolution. In groups, they use the internet to research who the Texans really were and the reasons behind the revolution. They discuss the need to discover the world outside of school and work with...
Curated OER
Woody Guthrie: Life and Art
Woody Guthrie will capture the imagination of even your most reluctant learners. Using his work, your class will develop their skills in non-fiction reading comprehension, interpreting primary source material, and use of multiple forms...
Curated OER
Harding Black: Taking It To Another Level
Students complete a variety of activities related to the pottery of Harding Black and the uses of clay in San Antonio, Texas. They watch a video about the life of Harding Black, conduct a clay percolation experiment, compare and...
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Pictures, Images, and Photographs
Students examine how art is used to make statements about social conditions. They analyze photos by the photojournalist Russell Lee, and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Who is Russell Lee?
Students investigate the contributions of the photojournalist Russell Lee. They read a biography of Russell Lee, and create a timeline of Lee's life.
Curated OER
The Importance of Being Flexible and Open-minded as a Visitor to Another Culture: Lesson 2 For "The Train Ride Home"
Students examine the advantages of being flexible when visiting or living in a different culture. They read and discuss a first-hand account by a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, and write a letter from the point of view of a...
Curated OER
Learning Empathy Through Art
Students observe the painting, From That Day On, by Ben Shahn, and reflect on the story of the Lucky Dragon. They research and discuss the physical and emotional side effects on the Japanese people after the atomic bomb was dropped.
Curated OER
Identifying and Using Parallelism and Balance in Literature
Analyze the use of balanced sentences and parallelism in a narrative. Included in this resource is a narrative about serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan titled, "The Train Ride Home". Middle and high schoolers review...
Curated OER
Going to the Promised Land
Students analyze primary resources and map in order to draw conclusions regarding the migrant-worker experience during the Great Depression. They explain and explain the impact of economic and ecological events on individuals.
Penguin Books
Wonder in the Classroom
Would you rather be right, or would you rather be kind? A novel unit based on R.J. Palacio's Wonder focuses on the need to be kind to others and to accept their differences. As learners read the book, they discuss the themes of...
Curated OER
Making Cents of Independence
Learners explore the causes and major events of the Texan and American revolutions. Comparisons and contrasts are made between the two revolutionary experiences and applied to the symbolism used on the Texas State quarter.
Curated OER
Money Circulation: A Story of Trade and Commerce
Students are introduced to the meaning, symbolism, and value of the quarter. They determine the percentage of total monetary value held in quarters and graph the results. Students infer about the U.S. Mint's distrubution of coins. They...
Curated OER
Evolutions of Pottery
Students study the history and importance of clay and pottery. They observe a video dealing the kiln. Students explore ideas for improving construction of pottery. They demonstrate a variety of construction methods and identify the...
Curated OER
Character Education: Responsibility
Middle schoolers study Manuel de Zavala and his role in the history of Texas. In this character education lesson, students read about Manuel Lorenzo and underline the responsibilities he took on in his life. Middle schoolers then answer...