Texas History Curriculum?

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by Shelley, Oct 4, 2007.

  1. Shelley

    Shelley New Member

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    Have any of you fellow Texans taught a Texas history course? I know I had Texas history throughout a lot of my formal schooling, and I take a lot of pride in my Texan background.

    I'd like to find a good Texas history curriculum to use with my kids. I don't mind scrounging the Internet for stuff if I have to, but I'd prefer to find something already together. My kids are currently doing 1st grade curriculum, so I'm thinking about next year.

    Anyone have any good suggestions? I just noticed an article about how a school in Houston has actually downplayed the Texas Revolution and made it seem as though the Texans were the bad guys, so I'm hoping to find a text that isn't going for the whole 'multicultural' bit.

    Thanks!
     
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  3. JenniferErix

    JenniferErix New Member

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    OOOh!
    I would love to have a link to that story (About the downplaying of Texas History) if you have it.

    I do not have a Texas History curriculum or lesson plan, but I do intend to create one that works for us, soon. My twins are "Second Graders". So it would be at least at that level. However there will be Kindergarted extentions because I teach all my kids at the same time and my DD is a kindergartener....

    So, my point is, I will help you look, and if I find anything I will let you know. And when I create my own, I will let you know....

    The problem youmay run into is that todays public educational model for Social Studies still wants to NOT teach history until at least the third grade. They teach Community, community helpers, geographical location of our "Home" on maps, and how families around the world need the same things, like homes, clothes and etc....

    So when I try to search, I end up finding stuff for fourth grade or higher and have to simplify it for a second grader...

    Ok babblin...
     
  4. HappyMommy

    HappyMommy New Member

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    My son had TX History in 4th grade in the public school. Do you know about the TX History museum in Fort Worth at The Stockyards? Just a field trip idea...
     
  5. MonkeyMamma

    MonkeyMamma New Member

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    I taught Texas history here last year. We did not have a curriculum. I went to the used book store and got a book called Alamo by George Sullivan. It contained so much information! We also read books about the Texas Rangers, german heritage in TX (because we are of German descent), read about our state park system (and did some camping), a biography of Sam Houston, a bio of Jane Long (the mother of Texas) and then read a book called From Angels to Hellcats about a ton of famous women in Texas, visited a TX welcome center, went to the Alamo, and Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington of the Brazos. You could also field trip to San Jacinto Monument and Battleship TX. We didn't make it to hose two but we will still go sometime when we get a chance. Oh and we also went to a replica of an 1800 Texas homestead and indian villiage. We had so much fun studying TX history and I can't wait until Grace is older so I can teach it again.
     
  6. Shelley

    Shelley New Member

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    Thanks, ladies!

    I'm a Texan back to Austin's Old 300 and had family die at the Alamo, Perote Prison, and the Dawson Creek Massacre. I've got copies of the letters my 4th gr-grandfather wrote from Perote Prison before he died there. So, I have a lot invested in this state. LOL

    Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. We have such a rich heritage that I definitely want to do it justice.

    Oh, and Jennifer, here's the link to the article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,53968,00.html

    Thanks again, all!
     
  7. JenniferErix

    JenniferErix New Member

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    The REVISIONISTS are in full force, now, eh?
    Cripes!:evil:

    Now I have to admit that my step dad, whom I had always assumed was "Mental", may have been right about all his conspiracy theories....

    amazing...

    Reason #0609-8 of why they will NEVER get my kids...
     
  8. BeckyB

    BeckyB New Member

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    Do you teach local history, too? My girls love learning about how my town started ... and how it persevered through three major floods. It is fascinating to see how hard the early settlers of our area had to work to make our town.

    I found the information for my girls initially in the "Pennsylvania Room" of the local library. It has alot of materials that do not circulate, books and articles that never could be replaced. :)
     
  9. Shelley

    Shelley New Member

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    We've not really gotten into any localized studies yet. My kids are 4 [about to be 5] and 6 [just turned], but they're doing 1st grade. We're currently learning about Columbus in the Bob Jones Heritage Studies stuff.

    I figure it's good to study American History first. I may look into doing some local history as well. Our particular small town wouldn't have much [not been around THAT long], but we're between Fort Worth and another small town that has been.

    These areas might be good summer projects - something to keep their heads in the homeschooling game, so to speak. Thanks for the idea!
     
  10. BeckyB

    BeckyB New Member

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    Anytime, Shelley. You might be able to find some neat items pictured on eBay (old postcards and the like) to learn about your area.

    This might help you with your Columbus teaching ... it is an old favorite of mine. It was a recorded song, this is cute, though, and will probably work better for your children.

    http://www.scoutorama.com/song/song_display.cfm?song_id=233

    The song starts "In fourteen hundred ninety-two ..."

    OOPS .. I see some of the words have been changed ... lol

    Also, I tried searching you tube for the song, but the site appears to be having problems.

    I hope you have fun with the song :)
     
  11. MonkeyMamma

    MonkeyMamma New Member

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    We did touch a bit on local history when we studied German immigration into Texas. So many people made their homes very near the small town I grew up in so we studied that. We also were able to delve into Houston history just a bit. Not much just very early Houston.
     
  12. BeckyB

    BeckyB New Member

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    In our town I did find it interesting that if you look at the very top of the buildings you can see some of what they used to look like. Of course, there are very few here that are from before 1889 because of the flood, but it is neat looking for dates and wondering what was there before the flood took away most of the buildings.

    Does anyone else have an Elk on the top of their local Elks Building? I passed that building many times without noticing ... then the girls pointed it out to me ...
     
  13. Laja656

    Laja656 New Member

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    I didn't have Texas History until 7th grade, so I haven't given a full course in it much thought yet. We'll do one, though.

    As for local history, we do a little of that every year.. or at least try. We'll learn what we can via the internet and library archives... then go check it out... take the tours & stuff.

    If anyone's ever down my way (Fort Bend County), I HIGHLY recommend you take a day to spend that George Ranch historical park. It's awesome and my son loves it. He asked at least once a month when we're going back. Local libraries have a book and video on it's history ~~ which is a good prelude to a trip there.
     
  14. JenniferErix

    JenniferErix New Member

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    FB County???
    HOWD'y Neighbor!
    :p

    Also, we did not have State history until 7th grade either.... back in the 70;s public school that is... and it was also Texas, but still...

    I think if you want to cover such a specific subject at such a young age, you will find it hard, if not impossible to find an actual "Curriculum" for it.

    Most likely, you will need to create your own lesson plan for it. Write down what you know, write down what you want to learn and go from there...

    Good luck!
     
  15. Mark

    Mark New Member

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    Texas History

    We study it in 7th grade, as part of U.S. History. We study all of U.S. History and when we get to about 1820 we focus n Texas for 6 or 7 weeks. We cover from the period from the Spanish discovery until statehood in 1845. Then go back to U.S. History 1820 and beyond. From 1845 and beyond, Texas History and U.S. History can be taught together.

    More on our 7th gr. history: everygoodpath.net/node/225

    (you'll have to cut/paste since I don't have permission to post a link yet)
     
  16. KrisRV

    KrisRV New Member

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    Yea, I think you can start Texas History any age, but really it don't sink in until the 7th grade.. like alot of things. but thats the joys of learning.
     
  17. laceyroo

    laceyroo New Member

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    I know this topic was posted in 2007, but I'm new to the community and I was just reading through old posts. I taught Nevada History to my 3rd and 6th grader with a curriculum called Do Nevada! It's by a company called Splash! Publications and I'm pretty sure they have one for Texas as well. I found them on Google and their website is splashpublications.com The Nevada curriculum was awesome. I'm thinking about getting their American History curriculum for my 5th grader next year.

    Just thought I'd let you know!
     
  18. Gayle

    Gayle New Member

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    Hi Shelley,
    I read where you had family in Perote Prison, and had fought at Dawson Creek. I am looking for information on the Woods family; Zadock, Norman (died in Perote Prison), and H. Gonzalvo Woods were all at Dawson Creek. Any info would be helpful.
     
  19. pkrustic

    pkrustic New Member

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    dont know if this is helpful or not but you can pick different citities and call or email chamber of commerce and they will send you free info on that town or city. san antonio is a great example. there is the alamo and a lot of other things there to work with. we are planning a field trip to san antonio .
     
  20. Shelley

    Shelley New Member

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    Norman Woods was my 4th gr-grandfather. A good online place to start is The Handbook of Texas Online: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/ You can search their names as well as the Dawson Creek Massacre and come up with information.

    This is, though, hands-down, the best site for information: http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/dewitt.htm.

    Also, check out genforum.com and do a search in the Woods family for the above names. There is no shortage of information on the family.
     

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