In this lesson plan, students will examine maps in order to understand the changing boundaries of states and countries, and how these changes have influenced the Texas we know today. Students should take into account historical events such as the Louisiana Purchase, the Treaty of 1819, and the Compromise of 1850 when explaining these changes.

Created by Brenda Beaven, December 2007

The student understands traditional historical points of reference in Texas history. The student is expected to:

• identify the major eras in Texas history and describe their defining characteristics;
• apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events, and time periods.

TEKS §113.23 Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(1)(A,B)

The student understands how individuals, events, and issues prior to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas. The student is expected to contrast Spanish and Anglo purposes for the methods of settlement in Texas.
TEKS §113.23 Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(2)(F)

The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The student is expected to:

• create thematic maps, graphs, charts, models and databases representing various aspects of Texas during the 19th and 20th centuries;
• pose and answer questions about geographic distributions and patterns in Texas during the 19th and 20th centuries.

TEKS §113.23 Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(8)(A,B)

Background on the possession of the land called Texas

Spain claimed Texas for over 300 years, but not without challenges. First, there were the Native Americans to contend with. Then Pineda, Cabeza de Vaca, Coronado, de Soto, Moscoso, and Onate all claimed the land from Santa Fe to the Mississippi River a part of Texas. After the French and Indian War and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Spain owned all the land from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Hundreds of years passed and Spain’s power diminished, which caused them to lose all of the territories in Mexico, Texas, and eventually all of North and South America. This progression can be seen by viewing maps over the course of history and noting how the boundaries change and shift. Historically speaking, maps are like storyboards telling of the rise and fall of nations over hundreds and thousands of years.

• Students are to find maps on different sites, including the TIDES website, which will tell the story of Texas since 1519 to current times.



• Students will make a slide show depicting Texas borders and who owned the land called Texas. Remind students not to forget the Native Americans.



• Extra Credit to those students who can find a twentieth century border change involving Texas. Tell students to keep the answer to themselves until they present their slideshows.

The students will be graded based on the maps found, the student-written narration of the circumstances of each map and the quality of their presentation. All presentations must have an introductory page and bibliography of all information used for the presentation.

TIDES search for “Map of Texas”  Maps located at Enchanted Learning Use of the computer lab
Flash drive or CD/DVD to use for presentation

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