In this lesson plan, students will learn why the Spanish never settled in Texas – because there was no oro (gold) or plata (silver). Students will affirm this new knowledge by completing notes about this historical period and creating timeline murals illustrating the order of events.
Created by Brenda Beaven, December 2007The student understands traditional historical points of reference in Texas history. The student is expected to:
§113.23. Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(1)(A,B,C)
The student understands how individuals, events, and issues prior to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas. The student is expected to identify important individuals, events, and issues related to European exploration and colonization of Texas, including the establishment of Catholic missions.
§113.23. Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(2)(B)
Notes on the Spanish Exploration of Texas:
Note from Brenda Beaven: I have not written all information on the notes worksheet so that the students can add in their own from other sources.
1519 - The Spanish exploration of Texas began with Alonso Alvarez de Pineda and the subsequent mapping of the Texas Gulf Coast – no gold, no silver (no oro, no plata). I refer to him as the First European (you’re a pee an) on Texas soil - you may not think I’m funny, and you are right, but students laugh and remember him.
1528 - The next exploration, though accidental, was Alvar Nunez, Cabeza de Vaca a member of the ill fated Panfilo de Narvaez exploration. After living and traveling with the Karankawas and Coahuiltecans for over five years and finally returning to New Spain in 1536, wrote of legendary golden cities. VERY IMPORTANT – He only heard about “towns of great population” and possible gold in the mountains (no oro, no plata).
1539 - Esteban and Fray Marcos de Niza were selected to lead the next exploration to find the Golden Cities. Esteban was killed by Zuni Indians of the Pueblo culture (New Mexico). Fray Marcos reports back to Mexico with positive sightings of Cibola, the golden cities. (Not true!!)
1540 – Conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led the largest of all the Spanish explorations with nearly 1,000 men. Coronado found only adobe houses and sent Fray Marcos, his guide, back to New Spain in disgrace. Not wanting to return without success, Coronado sent men to the west and they were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon. To the east, a captured native in the town of Tiquez told of another golden city, Quivira. In an effort to continue the search for gold and silver, the Coronado expedition traveled across the High Plains of Texas and saw Palo Duro Canyon and named the area the Llano Estacado. Coronado found Quivira in present-day Kansas without golden bells growing on trees. El Turko was killed. Coronado claimed all the land for Spain. No oro, no plata - Don’t go back!”
1540 – Hernando de Soto led 600 men to the northern lands starting in Florida searching for Cibola. De Soto made it to the Mississippi River and claimed it for Spain and promptly died. Luis de Moscoso continued into east Texas and then returned to the Mississippi River. No oro no plata – “Don’t go back!”
1598 – Spain’s interest had declined but one more expedition went out led by Juan de Onate. He crossed the Rio Grande and named the place El Paso del Norte and then moved on to establish Santa Fe, New Mexico. No oro, no plata – “Don’t go back!”
Notes and mural will be graded separately. For the mural, fifty percent of the grade should be based on process (teacher grades as the students are working) and the remaining fifty percent will be the end product.
Mural section at Instituto de Idioma y Cultura Mural section at Chapultepec Castle Spanish Explorers worksheet Textbook for additional information.
Fifteen-foot-long bulletin board sheets for each group.
Colorful markers in primary colors.
