Curated OER
Digging Deeper: Mission San Saba
Seventh graders review their prior knowledge on the Spanish mission system in Texas. Using the internet, they examine the motives of the Spanish to establish missions in Texas, specifically the Mission San Saba. They research the reasons...
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Presidents and the Constitution: George W. Bush and the Case of Bush v. Gore (2000)
Students examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court lesson, students read the Bush v. Gore case study regarding the presidential election of 2000. Students take notes on the case and respond to discussion questions...
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Western Hemisphere
Fourth graders use a database to compare countries in the western hemisphere. They describe a variety of regions in Texas and the Western Hemisphere such as political, population, and economic regions that result from patterns of human...
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The Bill of Rights
In groups, learners review one of four selected Supreme Court cases. The whole class watches a video introducing the four cases, and then small groups dive into Internet research in an attempt to write a two-paragraph summary of the...
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Capitol Visitors Center
Students complete a post-trip discussion after visiting the capitol building in Austin.  As a class, they review how soldiers received their allotment of land for participating in the Texas Revolution.  Individually, they write a letter...
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Digging Deeper: Mission San Sabá
Seventh graders view a painting of the destruction of Mission San Saba in Texas. They discuss the painting and identify information that they can infer from the painting.
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Let's Read! D.W. The Picky Eater
Students read D.W. The Picky Eater, and identify one new food they would like to try.
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Shelby County: The Regulator-Moderator War
Seventh graders comprehend the importance of the Regulator-Moderator War through John W. Middleton's memoir. They comprehend how the different motivations held by each faction began the conflict. Students are shown the map of Shelby...
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Lone Stars and Gun Smoke
Seventh graders assess the significance of the Texas Ranger Frontier Battalion Company 'D' in maintaining law and order along the Texas-Mexico border. They study the importance of Ranger actions and utilize primary sources and maps to...
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A Tough Nut to Crack
Children, based on a set of criteria, evaluate the quality of pecans. They research recorded history of pecan trees as well as how their seeds moved across western Missouri into southeastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Mexico. In...
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Writing an Analytical Essay From a Supreme Court Case
Critical thinkers read a summary of a United States Supreme Court case, including important background information and the court's final decision. They form an opinion in agreement or disagreement regarding the case and then write an...
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Cattle Trails
Students identify and locate cattle trails on a globe. In this map skill lesson, students use a marker to locate Texas and Montana and use the map scale to calculate the distance of the cattle trail.
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PBS Kids Go Buster Buster and Beatrice/ The Giant Pumpkins
Second graders visit San Antonio, Texas and Mt. Hood, Oregon in these two episodes of PBS Buster Go Kids. They examine the music and food that is local to San Antonio by looking at images and pretend to play instruments. They use...
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Discussion-Activity: An Election Primer
Students research and discuss the 2000 presidential election. They role-play Al Gore's and George W. Bush's legal teams, and members of the Florida Supreme Court. They of each legal team present their arguments to the Supreme Court.
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George Washington as Military Leader
Students will analyze historical evidence including primary sources to evaluate George Washington as a military leader. The reading begins with Washington's understanding of the issues related to military power, continues with his use of...
National Gallery of Art
Islamic Art and Culture
Provided by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, this resource for teachers examines Islamic art, including calligraphy, arabesques, and geometric designs.  A recounting of the spread of the faith and the tumultuous political...
Education.com
St. Patrick's Day Writing: If I Found a Pot of Gold...
This St. Patrick's Day, young writers imagine they found a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. After a class discussion and brainstorming, scholars compose a narrative essay making sure they incorporate transitions and at least three...
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George Washington and the Rule of Law
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government lesson, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They will also answer...
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Toting the Log and Lifting the Babe
Students use simple machines that demonstrate force, friction, work and power. They investigate and explain simple machines.
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A Tough Nut to Crack
Sixth graders explore agriculture by examining world geography. In this pecan cultivation lesson, 6th graders identify the history of the famous nut and the impact it has on the U.S. economy, diet and human body. Students define...
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The Mysterious Tragedy at Lake Nyos
Students present a convincing explanation of the Lake Nyos event and propose a solution to prevent future tragedies at central and western African lakes.
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Photography: Beyond the Snapshot
Students explore news photography skills. In this photojournalism instructional activity, students examine photographs from newspapers and magazines and discuss the attributes of quality photographs. Students complete a webquest at the...
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Dangers of the West
Eighth graders explore the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders examine primary sources to investigate the dangers travelling to and settling in the American West. Students design brochures that would help those...
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Iwo Jima: Forgotten Valor
Students explore the nature of island combat on Iwo Jima during World War II. They examine the association between the Pacific Theater of World War II and Iwo Jima. Students evaluate Charles Lindberg's oral history, propaganda posters,...