Curated OER
Day of the Dead
Students explore Day of the Dead, also called "Dia de los Muertos," which is a holiday (or festival) celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background.
Curated OER
Conjunto Music from South Texas
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
Curated OER
Scenes of Reverence: The Virgin of Guadalupe
Students learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.
Curated OER
Bless Me, Ultima - 1
Tenth graders consider the importance of setting in the Southwest-themed novel "Bless Me, Ultima". As part of a larger unit, 10th graders research the setting of New Mexico and work in groups to prepare presentations about the region's...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Pupils 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 and...
McGraw Hill
Study Guide for Island of the Blue Dolphins
Dive your class into a reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins with this in-depth study guide. Breaking the novel into three parts, the resource begins each section with a focus activity that identifies a specific theme or question...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Guest-Worker Program
The U.S. Guest-Worker Program and the H-2A visa are the focus of a social studies activity. First, class members assume the role of advisors who must present the president with four proposals that would amend the visas given to...
Curated OER
Literature: Esperanza Rising
Students read and discuss the book, Esperanza Rising. After analyzing and identifying the novel's structural elements, they examine working conditions for migrant workers in the 1930s. As part of the lesson, students in groups choose...
Curated OER
Border Forum
Students read, analyze, and synthesize news reports on a current border issues. They prepare an oral presentation and written support documents which must clearly and accurately explain an issue to an audience which may be unfamiliar...
Curated OER
Comparing Cultural Holidays
Third graders explore art that reflects their cultural background. In this writing and research lesson students compare and contrast the Halloween with El Dia de los Muertos. Students study the visual art of these holidays. Then students...
Curated OER
International Festival - Masks
Students study the influence masks had on Hispanic society. After investigating uses of masks in various cultures, they create masks that relate to their own experiences. In groups they create an Hispanic mask and a mask representing...
Curated OER
Lorenzo de Zavala Online: Empresario, Statesman and Texas Revolutionary
Seventh graders study Lorenzo de Zavala's role in the Texas Revolution as politician and statesman. They determine his contributions to the establishment of a government as Texas fought for its independence. While completing research,...
Curated OER
Quest for Freedom
Fourth graders examine and discuss the Texas Revolution and the founding of Texas as a Republic. They read about the major events of the Revolution, research the events online, and complete a chart to present to the class.
Curated OER
Los Californios
Fourth graders research the culture of Los Californios through primary sources. They examine maps and draw timelines of California historical dates. They investigate deeds and s of ranches and simulate property transactions.
Curated OER
The Chicano Movement in California - Culture, Causes, and Community
Young scholars explore the culture and community of the Chicano movement in California using prints that emerged from the Chicano movement. The historical, binational, and bicultural components are examined in this three lessons unit.
Curated OER
God's Life
Students explore the Huichole culture. They create a craft that is typical of the Huichole culture. Students partake in a variety of traditional Spanish foods and music. They use Spanish vocabulary while creating their craft.
Curated OER
Coming to California
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mexican Immigration
Excellent site that examines the Mexican immigrant group beginning with early settlement in New Mexico in 1598 through to present times. The history as well as the intricate multiculturalism of this immigrant group is addressed.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Huetzotzinco Codex
Through the ancient natives of Puebla, Mexico, teachers can use this lesson plan to help students relate math and reasoning skills to primary sources discussed in social studies. Primary sources are available to figure out more about the...
The Newberry Library
Newberry: Political and Military History: Map 14: u.s. Mexican War, 1845
Lessons for learners in K-12 depicting North America prior to the United States and Mexico War, 1845. Students explore the mid-century political and cultural context in which the U.S. experienced growth and expansion.
![Texas State Historical Association: Mexican Texas [Pdf} [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Texas State Historical Association: Mexican Texas [Pdf} [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Mexican Texas [Pdf} [Pdf]
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson plan, students research Mexican history between the years 1810-1836 and complete a...
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Lesson 50: Using Music to Teach Personal Narrative
The personal narrative, apart from appearing as an option in the writing component of many state assessment tests, is a form of writing which allows students the chance to reflect seriously and honestly on important events in their own...