Share
Tell other teachers, parents, and students about us.
Follow
Description
OVERVIEW
In this lesson, students will analyze a variety of primary source excerpts to learn about some of the challenges facing the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845 and two options the government of the Republic of Texas had for addressing these issues.
LESSON TIME
This lesson will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes Exact times may vary based on the specific needs of individual classes.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
- What primary source materials do historians use to learn about the Republic of Texas Era? What can we learn from these materials?
Teacher Tools
-
Lesson Plan, Teacher Guide, Primary Sources Used
Downloadable/editable versions of this lesson plan, including a step-by-step guide through the lesson. When applicable, a list of primary sources used in the lesson is also included.
-
This ready-to-use classroom slideshow contains the warm-up exercise, the daily objective, the “We will / I will” statements, and the essential question for the lesson.
It guides the class through the assignment providing larger versions of images, visual representations of the directions, and supports for reading and answering questions including sentence stems for in-class responses. It concludes with the exit ticket.
Student Activities
-
Warm-up and Exit Ticket
In this printable warm-up / bell-ringer activity, students will read a primary source passage of an account of life in the Republic of Texas written by a German immigrant named Rosa Kleberg. Kleberg discusses conflict with nearby American Indian tribes, other immigrants living in her community, the founding of a local school, and the absence of government services like the post office. Students make inferences about life in Texas during this era based on Kleberg’s account.
In this exit ticket, students will choose one point of view from six provided in a graphic organizer (including Anglos, Tejanos, American Indians, U.S. citizens, and Mexican citizens) and write a journal entry about the Republic of Texas from their chosen point of view.
The Warm-up and Exit Ticket document includes two warm-ups on the front of the page and two exit tickets on the back of the page. This formatting reduces the number of copies needed, as teachers will cut each printed page in half. Each student will receive a half-page with the warm-up on the front and the exit ticket on the back.
-
Grade Level Student Worksheet
In this printable assignment, students will read three primary source excerpts from the Republic of Texas Era and answer short, constructed response questions analyzing each source, summarizing the main idea, making a claim about the source and supporting it with textual evidence, and making inferences about the era based on the primary source. Grade level questions include Short Constructed Response, Inline Choice, and Multiselect. Vocabulary supports are provided for primary source excerpts.
-
Foundation Student Worksheet
In this printable assignment, students will read three primary source excerpts from the Republic of Texas Era with key information presented in bold text, and answer short, constructed response questions analyzing each source, summarizing the main idea, making a claim about the source and supporting it with textual evidence, and making inferences about the era based on the primary source. Foundations questions include Short Constructed Response with sentence stems and response options provided, Inline Choice, and Multiselect with one answer option eliminated. Vocabulary supports are provided for primary source excerpts.
-
Advanced Student Worksheet
In this printable assignment, students will read three primary source excerpts from the Republic of Texas Era and answer short, constructed response questions analyzing each source, summarizing the main idea, making a claim about the source and supporting it with textual evidence, and making inferences about the era based on the primary source. Advanced questions are Short Constructed Responses.
Sources
Previews and links to sources referenced in this lesson.
-
A letter from Sam Houston to Joseph Ellis, 1847
-
The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899
-
The Northern Standard Newspaper of Clarksville, Texas
-
Arguments on the Annexation of Texas
Rights
Support
Learn about our team, supporters, and how to contribute or give back.