Students first take a poll of items that they think are made from petrochemicals. Then they watch a video and read about the discovery of oil at Spindletop. Next they explain how the oil and gas industry contributed to the industrialization of Texas. Finally they examine three renewable energy sources being developed in Texas.
Modern Texas unit contains 8 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Modern Texas Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
Modern Texas: Vocabulary
Students interact with vocabulary words that they will encounter throughout Unit 7: Modern Texas.
Spindletop and the Oil Industry
Students first take a poll of items that they think are made from petrochemicals. Then they watch a video and read about the discovery of oil at Spindletop. Next they explain how the oil and gas industry contributed to the industrialization of Texas. Finally they examine three renewable energy sources being developed in Texas.
Urban Growth
Students make observations about a graph of total Texas population between the years 1900 and 2020. Then they learn about urban growth over the twentieth century and the changes it brought in the Texas economy. Next they examine two population maps to draw conclusions about current urban growth. Finally they write a short profile of their hometown using concepts learned in the lesson.
The Great Depression
Students view a photo of a family during the Great Depression and pose questions about it. Then they read a brief overview of the Great Depression. Next they examine how the Great Depression affected Texas, and they evaluate the photo from scene 1 in light of what they learned. Finally they examine WPA projects in Texas.
The Dust Bowl in Texas
Students search the Web for a photograph from the Dust Bowl. Then they learn about the causes of the Dust Bowl and categorize them as natural or man-made. Next they learn about a New Deal program for soil conservation. Finally they learn about another catastrophic event, Hurricane Harvey, and they write a diary entry of someone living through either event.
Texas During World War II
The class makes a What We Want to Know chart about World War II. Then students learn about individual and statewide Texan contributions to the war. Next they learn how the war impacted the Texas home front. Finally they analyze the long-term effects of the war on Texas, focusing on its impact on urbanization, and they contrast life before and after the war.
Changing Demographics in Texas
Students share the country of origins of immigrants in their families. Then students learn about some of the results of the 2020 U.S. Census relating to Texas. Next they learn some of the uses of the Census data, and they analyze what information they would use to plan a bilingual educational program. Finally they research a cultural or ethnic group in Texas and write a report.
Texas and the Aerospace Industry
Students read some actual quotations from astronauts in space and try to explain why they all begin with “Houston.” Then they learn why the Johnson Space Center is located in Houston and they watch a video to learn about the JSC. Then they use a brochure published by the JSC to analyze how it contributes to Texas. Finally they examine everyday items that were originally invented for the space program.
