History's Lessons is a collection of reproducible documents, images, and maps from UT Arlington Special Collections. Each item has a TEKS-aligned lesson plan accompanying it.

These Lessons were developed to complement kits in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The kits, complete with artifacts on specific social studies and natural science topics, are available for loan from the museum.

Jump to: Money of the Republic of Texas | Diary of a Trip from Boeme, Texas to Matamoros, Mexico

This kit includes digital replicas of money from Texas during 1836-1845. The accompanying lesson plan is TEKS-aligned and teaches how Texas money reflected the region's identity. Also included is a one-page handout that gives a brief history of Texas money.

Files:

• Republic of Texas money cutouts (download PDF (1.2 MB) | view FlashPaper (1.2 MB))
• Handout: Money of the Republic of Texas: A Brief History (download PDF (1.5 MB) | view FlashPaper (1.1 MB))
• Lesson plan: Republic of Texas Money: National and Regional Identity (download PDF (45 KB) | view FlashPaper (82 KB))
• Student worksheet: Republic of Texas Money: National and Regional Identity (download PDF (37 KB | view FlashPaper (67 KB))

This kit includes a digital replica of a diary written in 1864 and 1865. The diary was written by an unidentified woman who traveled with three companions and a driver from Boerne, Texas, to Matamoros, Mexico, where she joined her husband. She wrote about the hardships of the journey, traveling condition, rivers and towns that they traveled through, and people they met along the way.

The kit also includes a digital replica of an 1864 map of Texas that has been enhanced to trace their route.

Files:

• Digital reproduction of diary with realistic handwriting (download PDF (706 KB) | view FlashPaper (880 KB))
• Typed transcription of diary (download PDF (88 KB) | view FlashPaper (98 KB))
• Glossary of terms used in the diary (download PDF (163 KB) | view FlashPaper (102 KB))
• Digital reproduction of J.H. Colton's Map of Texas, 1864 with route taken by Boerne group highlighted (view GIF (4.7 MB) | PDF (3.87 MB) | FlashPaper (2.33 MB))
• Digital reproduction of J.H. Colton's Map of Texas, 1864 without highlighted route (view image (4.2 MB))

The accompanying lesson plans are TEKS-aligned

Are We There Yet?

This kit is designed to build a foundation of basic mathematic skills and develop quantitative reasoning in students by estimating distance on a historic map and comparing it to the time taken to complete the journey as described in an 1864 diary.

Files:

• Lesson plan: Are We There Yet? (download PDF (47 KB) | view FlashPaper (84 KB))

Exploring New Territory

Students will use information from historic and modern maps as well as an 1864 diary to identify and discuss how people traveled long distances in the 19th century.

Files:

• Lesson plan: Exploring New Territory (download PDF (50 KB) | view FlashPaper (89 KB))
• Student worksheet: Exploring New Territory (download PDF (44 KB) | view FlashPaper (77 KB))

Using Journals for Historical Research

Students will examine and interpret a primary document to gain insight into the historical research process.

Files:

• Lesson plan: Using Journals for Historical Research (download PDF (48 KB) | view FlashPaper (87 KB))
• Student worksheet: Using Journals for Historical Research (download PDF (50 KB | view FlashPaper (77 KB))