Seventh Grade

Overview: Mission San José is one of five missions built by the Spanish government near the San Antonio River. Using information from the mission’s 1720 founding document, students will work silently in pairs to identify Spanish motives for building missions in Texas.

• A Vow of Silence Lesson Plan

Overview: The Fredonian Rebellion was the first in a series of incidents between Anglo settlers in Texas and the Mexican government which eventually led to the Texas Revolution. Read the charges brought against Edwards which led him to unsuccessfully defy Mexican authorities.

• Haden Edwards and the Seeds of Conflict Lesson Plan
• Charges Against Haden Edwards – Original
• Charges Against Haden Edwards – Translation
• Charges Against Haden Edwards Cut into Six Parts
• Haden Edwards – Part One
• Haden Edwards – Part Two
• Countdown to Conflict

Overview: View American immigration into Texas through the eyes of a Mexican military officer. Before learning about the Law of April 6th, 1830, make predictions about how the Mexican government might respond. 

• The Hate They Bear Us Lesson Plan
• Letter From José de las Piedras to Colonel Mier y Terán

Overview: In November 1835, John C. Logan left his home in Kentucky and set out for Texas. Logan sought adventure as a volunteer soldier in the fight for Texas independence and an opportunity to improve his fortunes. Using Logan’s letters and other primary source documents from the General Land Office Archives, students will learn about the last months of Logan’s life. 

• The Journey of John C. Logan Lesson Plan
• Letter dated Dec. 19, 1835 - Copy of the original
• Letter dated Dec. 19, 1835 - Readable transcript
• Letter dated Feb. 23, 1836 - Copy of the original
• Letter dated Feb. 23, 1836 - Readable transcript
• Logan’s 1836 letter compared to Travis’ letter
• Document analysis student handout

Overview: A desperate commander makes a plea for reinforcements, but there’s more to Travis’ February 23, 1836, letter than meets the eye. Use either the Document Analysis or DESCRIBE strategy to unlock the deeper meaning of one of the most famous letters in Texas and American history. 

• The Travis Letter Lesson Plan
• A copy of Travis’ original letter
• A transcript of the Travis letter for easy reading
• Document Analysis handout
• DESCRIBE strategy graphic organizer 
• DESCRIBE strategy poster

Overview: The Republic of Texas’ second president, Mirabeau Lamar, held very different personal and political views on Native people than his predecessor, Sam Houston. In this lesson, students will examine the background to Lamar’s order for the removal of the Cherokee people from Texas, including the Córdova Rebellion, and make predictions about its impacts. 

• A Speedy and Final Close Lesson Plan
• What Actually Happened
• Background Information – President Mirabeau Lamar and Cherokee Relations
• Background Information – The Córdova Rebellion
• Background Information – Differences Between Houston and Lamar
• Background Information – Conflict with the Cherokees
• Questions – Lamar Cherokee Removal Letter
• Lamar Cherokee Removal Letter – Original
• Lamar Cherokee Removal Letter – Transcript

Overview: More Americans died in the U.S. Civil War than in any other American conflict. Through a DBQ Gallery Walk, students will explore the causes behind these fatalities.

• Dudley Ward and Yellow Jack Lesson Plan
• Document 1 – Dudley Ward
• Document 2 – Civil War by the Numbers
• Document 3 – A Letter from Ward to his Father
• DBQ Responses & Big Question

Overview: Mildred “Millie” Dalrymple was one of a small number of women during World War II to become a WASP, or one of the Women Air Force Service Pilots. In her own words, hear why she joined, what conditions were like, and what some of her defining wartime moments were like.

• VOV WWII Dalrymple Lesson Plan
• VOV WWII Dalrymple Oral History Excerpts
• VOV WWII Dalrymple Oral History Worksheet

Overview: Immigration and the settlement of Texas lands are important parts of Texas history. The GLO offers teachers an information guide and region-based visual aids to help students understand the scale of land involved.

• Texas Land History Teachers Guide
• Texas Land Measurements
• How Big is an Acre
• How Big is a League (Abilene)
• How Big is a League (Amarillo)
• How Big is a League (Arlington)
• How Big is a League (Austin)
• How Big is a League (Beaumont)
• How Big is a League (Brownsville)
• How Big is a League (Bryan-College Station)
• How Big is a League (Conroe)
• How Big is a League (Corpus Christi)
• How Big is a League (Dallas)
• How Big is a League (Denton)
• How Big is a League (Edinburg)
• How Big is a League (El Paso)
• How Big is a League (Fort Stockton)
• How Big is a League (Fort Worth)
• How Big is a League (Fredericksburg)
• How Big is a League (Galveston)
• How Big is a League (Grapevine)
• How Big is a League (Harlingen)
• How Big is a League (Houston)
• How Big is a League (Huntsville)
• How Big is a League (Katy)
• How Big is a League (Killeen)
• How Big is a League (Laredo)
• How Big is a League (Longview)
• How Big is a League (Lubbock)
• How Big is a League (Lufkin)
• How Big is a League (McAllen)
• How Big is a League (McKinney)
• How Big is a League (Midland)
• How Big is a League (Nacogdoches)
• How Big is a League (New Braunfels)
• How Big is a League (Odessa)
• How Big is a League (Plano)
• How Big is a League (Port Arthur)
• How Big is a League (San Angelo)
• How Big is a League (San Antonio)
• How Big is a League (San Augustine)
• How Big is a League (San Marcos)
• How Big is a League (Sherman)
• How Big is a League (Temple)
• How Big is a League (Texarkana)
• How Big is a League (The Woodlands)
• How Big is a League (Tyler)
• How Big is a League (Victoria)
• How Big is a League (Waco)
• How Big is a League (Wichita Falls)