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The French in Texas
Fourth graders use Internet to examine early French exploration and settlement in Texas, and write journal entries from point of view of 17th Century French settler, French or Spanish explorer, or Native American whose land was taken.
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Friar Margil & The Spanish Missions
Students explore the life of Friar Margil de Jesus as well as other Spanish friars. They research Friar Margil and write a paragraph explaining why Spanish friars came to Texas. In groups, students create a PowerPoint presentation...
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Mission Nuestra Señora de la Concepción and the Spanish Mission in the New World
Young scholars explore Spanish missions. In this research skills lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the architecture, purposes, and functionality of Spanish missions.
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Migrating to Texas
Fourth graders explore the migration to Texas from other parts of the United States. Through journal entries they write about the trip as if they were the settlers coming to a new and foreign country. Working in small groups, 4th graders...
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Digging Deeper in Mission San Saba
Seventh graders explain Spanish motives for establishing Mission San Sab?? and the reasons for the mission's failure. This lesson should be used when students already have an understanding of the Spanish mission-presidio system in Texas.
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Texas Treasures
Students explore the meanings of the word "treasure," and examine the use of clay in the construction of buildings in San Antonio, Texas. They examine clay artifacts, and watch a video about pottery artist, Harding Black. Students then...
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Spanish Explorers and Conquistadors
Prior to taking a test of the Spanish explorers and conquistadors, have students review with this informative PowerPoint. Fifth graders will feel more prepared after using this slideshow as a guide to their studying.
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Lesson Title: El Paso and the Oldest Mission in Texas
Seventh graders explore Spanish Texas. In this Spanish mission lesson, 7th graders discover the reasons that El Paso was settled. Students respond to the provided questions regarding the El Paso Mission.
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Pioneering Principles: Why Character Matters
What does it mean to "be of good character"? What are the qualities that define such a person? The 1825 Colonization Law of Coahuila y Texas required that all new immigrants into Mexican Texas present documentation that they were of...
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The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Understanding Photo Essays
Learners analyze a photo essay of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas by the photojournalist Russell Lee. They identify the goals of the photo essay, explore a website, and complete a worksheet.
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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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Lesson 6: Examining Events from Different Perspectives Friend or Foe?
Fifth graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.
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Cabeza de Vaca
Fourth graders observe the 1529 map of the Gulf of Mexico and describe the accuracy of the map, including the unknown landscape that Cabeza de Vaca would traverse. They read the discuss the excerpt of his journey including his treatment...
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The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Daily Life
Students analyze the different ways that photography helps historians understand the lives of people who lived in the past. They examine images from Russell Lee's photo essay and discuss how Texas' has changed from an agrarian to an...
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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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A "State of the Arts" Coin
Young scholars study the historical figures depicted on the quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in its various designs. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas
quarter. in...
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Sea Turtles and Nesting Behavior
Students explore the nesting behavior used by sea turtles and explain how these behaviors are beneficial in the survival of a species. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages that sea turtles have be mass nesting. They identify...
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Getting the Point!
Students explore the American cattle industry history. In this United States history and reading comprehension cross curriculum lesson, students read an article about the history of longhorn cattle, then answer comprehension questions on...
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What's Your Brand?
Students explore the history of branding livestock and discover it began as early as 2000 BC. They discuss reasons for branding and then design their own brand from pipe cleaners. Students dip their brand into paint and print it on...
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Cultural Contact
Students explore the diversity of the Hispanic Culture, utilizing technology enhanced research and creative graphics (by hand) to retell the researched story.
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The Industrial Revolution
Eighth graders examine the time period of the Industrial revolution in American history. In this American History lesson, 8th graders read the chapter on this time period. Students create a presentation on this time period to...
![Texas State Historical Association: European Exploration [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Texas State Historical Association: European Exploration [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: European Exploration [Pdf]
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. For this lesson, students are asked to research Spanish and French explorers and create a 'living...