Texas Revolution

Social Studies


7th Grade


The Alamo and Goliad




Last week we learned about how Texans wrote the constitution and began the fight for independence from Mexico.

This week, in chapter 10, we will be learning about the Alamo and Goliad; specifically, the causes and impacts of the Texan defeats at the Alamo and Goliad.



Learning goals for this lesson include:

a) Compare the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas army;

b) Identify which individuals played key roles in defending the Alamo;

c) Describe the events that occurred at the Alamo;

d) Explain how events at the Alamo helped to unite Texans in their struggle for independence;

e) Characterize the factors that led to the Texan defeats at Goliad and in South Texas; and

f) Summarize the massacre at Goliad.



Technology that you will be using includes:

1. Microsoft Word to write your essays and responses to questions;

2. TimeLine Maker to create timelines for the events that occurred during the events that occurred in Texas for the years 1835-1838;

3. Inspiration software for creating visuals that represent the individuals and their roles at the Alamo and Goliad; as well as events surrounding the events that are explained in the lesson;

4. Google images will help you illustrate the people, events, and issues you will read and learn about in the chapter; as well as supplement your timeline with images for events indicated in your timeline.

5. Google sites to create a blog about the Alamo and Goliad.



Procedure

It is helpful to preview each section before you read it in its entirety. Another strategy that will help you understand the content is to also preview the end-of-section questions. This will help you think of the specific technology that you will use for specific purposes. For example, when reading about an event that took place in a certain year(i.e. On January 17 Houston sends Bowie to the Alamo) you can make a notation to use this fact in your timeline.

As you proceed to other sections, highlight events where you can create visuals using Inspiration software to create visuals representing important individuals and events/situation they were involved in.

Remember to download images from Google to illustrate your narratives and timelines.

Feel free to go to other websites to supplement you essays/compositons; also pictures and videos (YouTube).

You can go to YouTube to download videos to insert in your blog. Use Blogger.com or Google Docs to create your blog.

This is a very interesting chapter about the Alamo, Goliad, and events that took place during the Texas Revolution. Although we will be reading some of the sections in class, be sure to read everything in the chapter when you are at home. Reading the chapter in its entirety is part of your homework.



Need Help?

If you need help in completing your assignments, don’t hesitate to come to my classroom before school (7:10- 7:40 a.m.); during seventh-grade lunch (after you eat your lunch); or after school (3:00- 4:00 p.m. any day, except FridayJ ).



Assessments

You will receive grades for the work product ( technology) you use in the lesson/assignments. You will also receive a grade for answering the end-of-chapter questions (Be specific when answering the questions, especially the critical-thinking questions at the end of each section).

Finally, you will complete a chapter test that you will download from the Teacher Seventh-grade Social Studies website.