Famous Texans


Texas Studies Texas Culture Famous Texans
Students read some quotes about Texas and then write a statement of their own. Then they read about famous Texans in many different areas, such as sports and media. Next they learn about medical innovations developed in Texas, and they explain how these innovations benefit society. Finally they create posters expressing what it means to them to be a Texan.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Here are the teacher pack items for Famous Texans:

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Overview

In this experience, students read some quotes about Texas and then write a statement of their own. Then they read about famous Texans in many different areas, such as sports and media. Next they learn about medical innovations developed in Texas, and they explain how these innovations benefit society. Finally they create posters expressing what it means to them to be a Texan.

There is no quiz at the end of this experience.

Estimated duration: 35-60 minutes, depending on how much time you want to give students to work on their posters

Vocabulary words:

  • obsession
  • carbonated

Objective

  • Identify contributions by Texans to the various areas of life.


Engage


Now it’s time to celebrate all things Texas and Texan.

Objective

  • Identify contributions by Texans to the various areas of life.


postcard showing a cowboy riding on a giant jackrabbit with cattle in the background, reads “Cattle punching on a jack rabbit”

Everything is bigger in Texas! A popular postcard in the 1960s


Look at some quotations about Texas and Texans.


American novelist John Steinbeck (not a Texan) wrote in his book Travels with Charley: “Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word.”

Actor Sissy Spacek (grew up in Quitman, Texas) said: “Texas is just so rich with characters. Women who live alone in a little house on a thousand acres with nothing but cattle and a pickup truck. And an airplane.”

Austin-based writer and social media expert Elizabeth Abrahamsen wrote: “People from all over the United States can pick Texas out on the map. Even if they're not American, people know about Texas. All over the world, traveling Texans tend to identify as Texan rather than American, because, well, we get treated like celebrities when we do.”

Journalist Molly Ivins (raised in Houston) said: “I've spent much of my life trying, unsuccessfully, to explode the myths about Texas.”


Write your own statement about Texas. You can make it as funny or as serious as you want.

Post your answer

Give students a few minutes to enjoy each other’s statements.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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