Texas annexation into the United States including the U.S.-Mexican War, the life of Indians and slaves in Texas, and Texas during the Civil War
Early Texas Statehood and the Civil War unit contains 7 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Early Texas Statehood and the Civil War Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
Texas Gains Statehood
Students make a guess as to what number state Texas was to join the Union. Then they learn about the events leading up to annexation. They examine a timeline and create their own summary timelines of key events. Next they analyze the two conflicting positions in the United States over the annexation of Texas. Finally they imagine the events on the day that Texas became a state in order to write a front-page report.
The U.S.-Mexican War
Students look at a print entitled “Mexican News,” and write an imaginary headline for a newspaper. Then they watch a video about the causes of the U.S.-Mexican War and take notes in a graphic organizer. Next they analyze the outcomes of the war for both the United States and Mexico. Finally they compare maps of the United States in 1848 and 1850 to examine the change in Texas borders, and they draw an outline of Texas today.
The Attraction of Texas for Immigrants
Students brainstorm what motivated nineteenth-century immigrants to come to Texas. Then they focus on the experience of German immigrants. Next they analyze how the German immigrants impacted Texas. Finally they choose three additional immigrant groups and create a chart of interesting facts.
African American Slaves in Texas
Students begin by writing an explanation of what slavery is. Then they read about the lives of enslaved people in Texas. Next they analyze the slavery laws passed by the Texas legislature. Finally they learn about the cultural lives of the slaves and listen to some spirituals.
Civil War: Texas Secedes from the United States
Students begin by defining civil war. Then they examine the issues causing conflict between the North and the South. Next they learn about the secession of Texas and other southern states, and they analyze a map of the Union and the Confederate states. Finally students choose one of three people—Sam Houston, a plantation owner, or a non-slave owner—and write a journal entry from that person’s point of view.
Texas in the Civil War
Students label the six flags that have flown over Texas. Then they learn about the hardships on the Texas home front during the Civil War. Next they examine a map of the battles that took place in the South to infer why there were so few battles on Texas soil. Finally they learn about the end of the war and they create a poster celebrating Juneteenth.
