Presents each of the major eras in Texas history, with dates and a description of what defines it.

Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.

A short and interesting article explaining the Spanish influence of the missions of Texas. There is an extensive lesson plan included as well.

A complete middle school Texas State History course accessible in one location. It contains links to a variety of student resources and student assignments.

The system of frontier forts in Texas was established to protect Anglo settlers as well as those moving on westward. This article details the observations of Lt. Col. William Grigsby Freeman, who set out in 1853 to inspect a series of...

A timeline of Texas history from 1685 to 2000, as well as quick facts, and the lyrics of Texas, Our Texas.

The many groups who have settled in Texas are listed, beginning 40,000 years ago. There is a list of the Native American groups, then the successive groups of immigrants from numerous European countries, the African Americans who were...

An explanation of the difficulties the Republic of Texas encountered when deciding whether to join the Union. Also discusses President James Polk's efforts to expand the territories held by the United States, which brought him into...

A biography of John Coffee Hays, a prominent Texas Ranger in the 1800s.

An activity guide where learners refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, they examine the history of oil and oil and gas production In Texas. They also...

Looks at the many features of the Texas economy that make it one of the healthiest in the country, including, the financial sector, the oil industry, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, and various natural resources.

A lesson unit on developing a classroom garden in Texas. Students must prepare a plan by analyzing the climate and which crops are best suited to their locale, how much sun their garden will get, which plants grow well together, and what...

A teacher guide designed to support a visit to the Bullock Museum, but can be used on its own using available resources. Includes information, discussion questions, activities, and worksheets. This module looks at Texas in the 20th and...

An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this instructional activity, students examine the Secession, the Civil War, and Reconstruction...

In this lesson, Students examine the Texas Declaration of Independence and compare it to the United States Declaration of Independence for similarities and differences, with particular attention paid to the terminology used in these...

In this lesson unit, learners examine how Texans altered the environment in order to construct railroads, and the impact of those changes, both positive and negative. They then complete a project where they develop a plan for a railroad...

Summarizes the end of the Texas Revolution and the formation of the new Republic, followed by annexation of Texas to become a state. Included are lists of important figures in the Republic of Texas, and the names of the government...

A narrated slideshow that is a summary of two chapters in a history text. It outlines the factors that led to the industrialization and urbanization of Texas, away from an agrarian economy. These included the growth of the railroad,...

A vocabulary list for the intermediate student of words relating to the history of Texas. Includes text features such as highlighted words and pictures with captions. Could be used with a unit about the Southwest!

A biography of William Goyens, a mixed African American and Cherokee married to a white woman, whose father was a freed slave. Goyens was a Texas businessman who himself participated in the slave trade, and friends with many of the well...

In this lesson, students will analyze the effects of transportation on the settlement of Texas.

On December 29, 1845, Texas officially joined the Union as a slave state, after lengthy delays.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An interactive quiz activity over the topics covered in the beginning of the Texas History curriculum.

A 10-lesson, 83-page unit targeting Grades 4 and 7. Lessons cover various eras in the history of Texas, including boom and bust towns; the eras dominated by cattle, fences along the frontier, cotton, and oil; the Dust Bowl and the Great...