Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Understanding and Analyzing “The U.S. of Us” by Richard Blanco

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Current immigration issues and the rhetoric surrounding the controversies come into focus with a lesson that uses Richard Blanco's anthem, "The U.S. of Us," written after the August 2019 attack in El Paso, Texas, to open a discussion of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land and Liberty: The Saga of Sam McCulloch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The struggles of Sam McCulloch, a free black man, to be recognized as a citizen entitled to own land in Texas are the focus of research project that ask groups to examine a series of primary source documents and piece together...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Hernandez v. Texas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What if the jury is not made up of people from your ethnicity or background—are they still considered your peers? Scholars analyze the impact the Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas had on jury selection across the nation. Paired...
Handout
The Alamo

A Teacher’s Guide to Sam Houston

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Need a teacher's guide all about Sam Houston and how he relates to the Texas Revolution? Look no further! The guide includes a timeline detailing Houston's life, important milestones, and relevant maps that include his movement around...
Printables
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Global Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here is an extensive reading resource that addresses our climate change crisis. It thoroughly explains the greenhouse effect, related Earth cycles, and the history of climate change. Use it as part of the intended unit, published by the...
Handout
Curated OER

Corporal Punishment

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Nineteen states legally permit school officials to physically punish children. Scholars learn more about the topic as they use the website to prepare for a class debate or discussion. Pupils read background information and discover the...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You arrive at school only to be told you have no place there. Scholars research the Supreme Court cases Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD, both dealing with school segregation. Two short video clips as well as small group...
Unit Plan
Federal Reserve Bank

Piggy Bank Primer: 25 Cents Worth of History

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
It's all about money. Here's a resource that introduces kids to the Federal Reserve System, different coins produced by the mints, and fun facts about state coins.
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Sweatt v. Painter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Is separate but equal actually equal? The 1950 Supreme Court case Sweatt v. Painter discusses the law of segregation and inequality. Scholars investigate the impact of the case on the desegregation of public schools across the nation...
Unit Plan
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Environmental Sciences

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Whether you are teaching environmental science in junior high or studying recycling in kindergarten, there is something for all in this set of lessons designed for environmental education. The 110-page packet comes with tips for...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Wisconsin v. Yoder

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How far does freedom of religion truly go? The 1972 Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder introduces the concept of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. Individuals examine the case with a short video and open discussion. To...
Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

Build it Better

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
If you think you can do better, feel free to give it a try. Pupils learn about the work on Temple Grandin and consider ways to improve animal handling facilities. They work in groups to build models to showcase their ideas.
Activity
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Humanities Texas

A President's Vision: Thomas Jefferson

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
Here you'll find a fantastic resource for analyzing several primary sources regarding Thomas Jefferson's presidency, from his election and home in Monticello to the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase.
Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Art

Islamic Art and Culture

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
Study Guide
Penguin Books

A Teacher’s Guide to the Penguin Edition of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
The dry Oklahoma landscape in America's Dust Bowl sent many farmers in search of the promised land. A teacher's guide to John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath discusses the characters' desire for a better home along with other themes...