Handout
Other

Spanish Explorers of Texas: Alonzo Alvarez De Pineda

For Students 4th - 8th
A short biography of the Spanish explorer, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda.
Website
Other

Texas Beyond History: Jumano Spanish Relations

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive article details the evolution of the relationship between the Jumano and the Spanish explorers beginning in 1583. This was a relationship that the Jumano went to great lengths to develop and maintain. They also fostered...
Unit Plan
Texas Public Broadcasting

Texas Pbs: Texas Our Texas: Age of Contact 1519 1689

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the wave of exploration that began with Columbus' voyage in 1492, and reached the land that is now Texas a short time later.
Article
Other

Texas Indians: The Texas Apaches

For Students 9th - 10th
This article details the history and way of life of the Apaches in Texas. It describes their interactions with the Spanish explorers, how they were treated like slaves at the Spanish missions, and how their resentment drove them to...
Handout
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Alvarez De Pineda, Alonso

For Students 9th - 10th
An account of the Spanish expedition led by Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519 that explored the Gulf of Mexico between Florida and Cabo Rojo, Mexico. The explorers tried to establish the Panuco colony but were unsuccessful.
Lesson Plan
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: European Exploration [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
An activity guide where learners refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, students are asked to research Spanish and French explorers and create a 'living...
Graphic
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas: Exploration and Settlement Before 1675

For Students 9th - 10th
A great map showing the explorations of Spanish, French, and English explorers in North America between 1530 and 1675. A detailed key identifies each explorer and route. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection
Handout
Other

Texas Bob: The First Europeans in Texas: 1528 1536

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the first Europeans to penetrate the interior of Texas, read Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's account of his shipwreck and eventual return to the Spanish Court.
Article
Texas A&M University

Texas A&m University: Antonio Margil De Jesus

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the life and work of Antonio Margil de Jesus, an early missionary to Texas.
Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Antonio Margil De Jesus

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a short biography about Antonio Margil de Jesus, an early missionary to Texas.
Handout
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Early European Exploration and Development

For Students 9th - 10th
A chronological timeline of early European exploration and development in Texas spanning from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries.
Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
How did a Spanish explorer become a "medicine man and the first European trader in Texas"? Who authored the "first ever written description of Texas Indians"? Read this brief article to begin learning about the early relations between...
Article
Other

Houston Institute for Culture: Early Texas History: Spanish Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Cabeza de Vaca, one of the first Europeans to extensively explore Texas after an accidental landing at Galveston Island.
Handout
Other

History and Timelines: Texas History Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline of events covering important dates in Texas history beginning in 1519, and ending in 1898.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Conquistadors: Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
Click on "The Marvelous Adventure" to follow Cabeza de Vaca's several year journey through the Southeast and Texas. Part of a larger site on the Spanish conquest of the Western world, these pages focus on Cabeza de Vaca. Includes de...
Article
Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Museum: American Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Find out about how the two Americas: the Europeans' version, and the American Indians' version, started changing forever.
Handout
Other

Texas Bob: The Journey of Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
An English translation of Cabeza De Vaca's first-hand account of his journey and quest to claim territory from Florida to Mexico for Spain.
Article
Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Museum: Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Read about the Spanish soldier-explorers who came to Texas in search of gold and glory.