Curated OER
Land and Liberty: The Saga of Sam McCulloch
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...
Curated OER
Notable "Texans" of the Texas Revolution
Middle schoolers 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...
Curated OER
Civil War: A Terrible Swift Sword
Students explore the Civil War. In this American History instructional activity, students use guiding questions and primary resources to better comprehend the events of the Civil War. This instructional activity actually includes 3...
Curated OER
Cotton Pickin' Before and After the Civil War
Students explore the impact of cotton. In this economics instructional activity, students listen to a lecture presented by their instructor on the Southern crop of cotton and its impact on the South prior to and following the Civil War....
Curated OER
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
High schoolers take a closer look at historical relations between the United States and Mexico. In this Texas annexation lesson plan, students examine primary documents authored by Zachary Taylor, James Polk, and Abraham Lincoln to...
Curated OER
Reconstruction in Texas
Students investigate life in Texas after the Civil War from a variety of viewpoints.
Curated OER
Remember the Alamo
Eighth graders comprehend how the siege of the Alamo and the Texas revolution laid the groundwork for the United States-Mexican War. They discuss how westward expansion led to Texas Independence. Students complete the "Remeber the...
Curated OER
Contemporary Afghanistan
Students research the situational dynamics that have resulted in a civil war.
In small groups, they research the geography and culture of Afghanistan.
Groups analyze the political and cultural impact on people living in Afghanistan....
Curated OER
Mexican and American Views of Texas
Learners study the territorial status of Texas in 1830, 1840, and 1846 and interpret an historical timeline. They develop a general statement of Mexican and American views of Texas.
Curated OER
Capitol Visitors Center
Pupils complete a post-trip discussion after visiting the capitol building in Austin. As a class, they review how soldiers received their allotment of land for participating in the Texas Revolution. Individually, they write a letter...
Curated OER
Food
Students examine the types of foods eaten after the Civil War. They create their own cowboy style menu.
Curated OER
Learning Landscapes
Fifth graders analyze a landscape depicting Yosemite during the time of the Wild West. They compare their perceptions of the West from film and television to this representation. They observe the use of scale and color to depict size and...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Learners explore the economic, political, racial, and religious roots of Manifest Destiny. They read articles and analyze how the concept influenced the nation's westward expansion. Students discover the motivations and expectations of...
Curated OER
Cinco de Mayo
Students identify three celebration activities participated in Cinco de Mayo and explain their significance.
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...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Expansion of the United States, 1846 48
This online lesson plan shows students through primary sources how the borders of the U.S. changed in just a few years. They are asked to analyze maps and use map skills. All maps and worksheets are included as well as additional resources.