TEXAS STORIES is a fun, engaging new way to learn about and teach Texas history – at home and in the classroom.

We’ll soon be working with educators to develop an ongoing series of classroom resources that are simple to use, easy to access and incorporate technology. They are being designed as supplemental learning activities for 4th and 7th grade Texas History classes, librarians and homeschool parents. Sample Activities will be posted on this web site – soon!

Highlights
Each month we will select two TEXAS STORIES and develop one or more companion Activity Guides for 4th and/or 7th grades.

The 4th Grade Guides will emphasize one or more of the following: Listening, Reading, Observation and/or Computer skills, and incorporate graphic organizers, maps and historic documents. They will be developed by an Elementary Curriculum Specialist in cooperation with the Education Director of the Texas State History Museum.

The 7th Grade Guides will emphasize Online Research, Interpretation, and Computer skills, and feature Study/Discussion Questions with links to articles in The Online Handbook of Texas. The questions will be developed by the Education Coordinator for the Texas State Historical Association in cooperation with the Education Director of the Texas State History Museum.

TEKS: Each Guide will have the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) identified for 4th or 7th grade Social Studies.

All Activity Guide topics will correspond with Texas History curriculum currently being taught in the Austin public schools (our pilot district) and other classroom textbooks around the state. Many of the guides will complement history-based learning points presented in exhibits in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and provide additional resources for teachers, parents and students planning to visit the Museum.

Meet Our Advisors
Sarita Rodriguez, Education Director of the Texas State History Museum

Stephen Cure, Education Coordinator, Texas State Historical Association

Carolyn Schoenert, Curriculum Specialist, Texas Stories

The Austin Independent School District (AISD) Social Studies Curriculum Division will assist in recommending topics and reviewing and evaluating the Learning Activities for their effectiveness as Texas History classroom resources and as preparatory materials for student field trips to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. AISD will serve as a pilot district for the project. Any school district may participate in the pilot program. Any teacher, parent or student may use the resources presented on this web site for educational purposes only. To learn more, please contact us.

The Texas Education Agency Social Studies Unit Division of Curriculum will provide additional guidance and review.

All activities will be available through this web site through an expanded Activities Center, which is currently in development. A new resource for Texas History Education and Texas History Social Studies Curriculum.

We welcome your comments or questions about these exciting new resources. Please contact us today for more information.