Level 4, Unit 3: Independence and Statehood

Below are links to various materials we've created to support students' work on the unit theme: New Identities.

Unit Bibliography: This is a list of supplementary materials to help you to meet the needs of individual students in your classroom.
Classroom Activities: To extend instruction, here are some creative activities you can print and use in your classroom.
- Change Happens (Language Arts/Social Studies)
- Dictionary of Independence (Language Arts/Social Studies)
Theme Project Organizer: This is a worksheet you can print and distribute to students to help them track their work on the Theme Project.
Theme Project Links: Here are Internet resources for students to use while working on the Theme Project.

Here are links to Internet resources that can be used to support instruction of the “Think Like a Geographer” feature for this unit: How Were the North and South Different?

Annexation of Texas Timeline: This site, maintained by the Texas State Library, presents a timeline of the principal events related to the annexation of Texas. Students can follow events, beginning in 1836 with the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico, and ending in 1846 with the governor of Texas taking the oath of office.; http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/annexation/index.html

Sectional Conflict: Part of a terrific American history site in the Netherlands, this page provides good background information on the regional differences between the North and South during the mid-1800s, and how those differences led to the outbreak of the Civil War. Information on the conflicting economic interests of the two regions and the debate over slavery are included.; http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/H/1994/chap6.htm

Here are links to Internet resources that can be used to support instruction of the “Citizenship” feature for this unit: How Can You Lead?

The American Red Cross: Chapters by Region: Maintained by the national American Red Cross, this is a listing of the organization's chapters throughout U.S. territories and states. Students can find out what their local ARC chapter does, and how they can help.; http://www.redcross.org/where/where.html

Jane Long: This site, part of the “Notable Texans Before 1900” index, offers a brief, yet concise account of the life and times of Jane Wilkinson Long. Students can learn more about the “Mother of Texas,” and how she faced hardship and conquered adversity during the struggle for Texas independence.; http://www.lsjunction.com/people/long.htm