Curated OER
The Question of Annexation
Students examine the sequence of events that led up to the annexation of Texas to the United States. They create a timeline of significant events, analyze primary source letters from this time period, and write a letter from the point of...
Curated OER
The Beginning of the War -- Two Views on Texas
Young scholars discuss the factors that can lead to war, and the motivations of countries going into war. They research two viewpoints on Texas during the Mexican War and participate in a debate with their classmates.
Curated OER
Notable "Texans" of the Texas Revolution
Students investigate why and how certain historical figures became famous in relation to the Texas Revolution. They view and discuss a variety of images, then in small groups record the names of individuals involved in the Texas...
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 1
What's the difference between a diary and a memoir? Young historians explore the ramifications of this question as they learn how to use primary source materials to gain an understanding of life on the Texas frontier.
Curated OER
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
Students take a closer look at historical relations between the United States and Mexico. In this Texas annexation lesson, students examine primary documents authored by Zachary Taylor, James Polk, and Abraham Lincoln to consider why the...
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 2
To conclude their investigation of the life of Mary Maverick and to demonstrate their ability to analyze primary source documents, groups use the SOAPS questioning method to examine Maverick's account of events in early Texas history.
Curated OER
Sam Houston for President...Again
Fourth graders discover the political career of Sam Houston. In this Texas history lesson, 4th graders research primary resources and create a modern-day version of Sam Houston's political campaign of the 1840s.
Smithsonian Institution
Mexican War
Did you know that without the Mexican War, the United States would not include the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and even parts of Colorado? Scholars learn a variety of interesting facts about the...
Curated OER
A "State of the Arts" Coin
Students 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...
Curated OER
The Election of 1844
Briefly detailing the goals and issues within the Polk election and presidency, this presentation can help your students to bridge their knowledge of American politics and issues prior to the Civil War. It includes photographs of Polk,...
Curated OER
Immigration and Identity
Students will analyze four historical events: The Annexation of U.S. Southwest, The Mexican Revolution, The Great Depression, and World War II. They determine how each event affected immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central...
Briscoe Center for American History
Applying the SOAPS Method of Analyzing Historical Documents
Young historians use the SOAPS (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject) method of questioning to determine the historical value of primary source documents. The third in a series of five lessons that model for learners how...
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
Texas Weather Report
Young scholars use provided links to observe selected weather sites and collect temperature and precipitation data for listed cities. They enter the information onto their spreadsheet. Students study maps of the Texas natural reagions,...
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: U.S. Expansion
Students interpret historical maps and locate territories annexed by the United States in the 1840. In groups, they research the war with Mexico over Texas from both perspectives and answer on a worksheet about expansion.
Curated OER
Imperialism Political Cartoon Assessment
Students work from topics provided by the teacher to create a political cartoon that illustrates imperialism throughout the world, focusing on that which led up to World War One.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny
In this Westward Expansion activity, learners read assigned textbook pages which describe Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Students discover how manifest destiny and westward expansion are related. Using the Internet, they research the beginnings of the movement of manifest destiny and how it influenced people moving westward. They discuss the expectations...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny Questions
In this Westward Expansion instructional activity, students respond to 7 short answer questions about America's vision of Manifest Destiny and its effects.
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny Lesson Plan
Learners examine how Americans justified Westward Expansion. In this American history lesson, your historians will watch a Manifest Destiny Powerpoint presentation and discuss each slide then participate in a class...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Texas Annexation
It took "nine long and bruising years" for the Republic of Texas to join the United States. Why did it take so long? Who were the people involved in this process? Explore the Texas Annexation through the articles, artwork, and documents...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Interactives: The Nation Expands: Texas Annexation, 1845
Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Presidents of the Republic of Texas: Anson Jones
Anson Jones, the fifth president of Texas, led Texas as it became the 28th state of the United States. Explore his early years, learn how he attained the presidency, and check out primary texts and timelines that provide a complete look...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Annexation Process: 1836 1845 a Summary Timeline
Ten years of important dates that highlight the chronology of Texas' annexation into the United States of America.