Lesson Plans - Tides in the Classroom

History is more than just about people. In this lesson plan, students will look at different historical buildings and discuss the importance of these landmarks to today’s Texan.

Created by Laurie Gallant, December 1007

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.
TEKS §113.23. History, Grade 7. (b)(1)(A)

The student understands the location and characteristics of places and regions of Texas. The student is expected to locate places and regions of importance in Texas during the 19th and 20th centuries.
TEKS §113.23. Geography, Grade 7. (b)(9)(A)

The student understands the effects of the interaction between humans and the environment in Texas during the 19th and 20th centuries. The student is expected to identify ways in which Texans have adapted to and modified the environment and analyze the consequences of the modifications.
TEKS §113.23. Geography, Grade 7. (b)(10)(A)

The student understands the characteristics, distribution, and migration of population in Texas in the 19th and 20th centuries. The student is expected to:

analyze how immigration and migration to Texas in the 19th and 20th centuries have influenced Texas;
analyze the effects of the changing population distribution in Texas during the 20th century.

TEKS §113.23. Geography, Grade 7. (b)(11)(B,C)

The student understands the concept of diversity within unity in Texas. The student is expected to describe how people from selected racial, ethnic, and religious groups attempt to maintain their cultural heritage while adapting to the larger Texas culture.
TEKS §113.23. Culture, Grade 7. (b)(19)(B)

The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:

use social studies terminology correctly;
use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation;
transfer information from one medium to another, including written to visual and statistical to written or visual, using computer software as appropriate;
create written, oral, and visual presentations of social studies information.

TEKS §113.23. Social studies skills, Grade 7. (b)(22)(A,B,C,D)

After talking about Gil Ybarbo, show students the websites listed in the Materials section, which contain images of, and information about, the Stone Fort. Students should be able to see the differences in the building when comparing the original drawings to the 1885 photograph.

Ask the students if they think that buildings should be torn down for growth and development, or if should we try to preserve the past. Have them explain their reasons and record their answers. (This is also a great debate topic for a pre-AP or GT class.)

Discuss a historic building in your own town and the importance of the structure to your community. Are social events held there? Does it take people back in time? Is it a great place to take pictures?

The teacher should evaluate the students’ understanding of the significance of historical places and the importance of preserving them.

Students may go to historical places in their town, tour them and then create either a PowerPoint or a scrapbook sharing what they’ve seen and learned. Students must include the date it was built, the known owners of the building, and the purpose the building served. If a student cannot tour their area, they may do a virtual tour online of places in another city. Another extension is to have the historic sites person for your town or city come to class and present to the students.

TIDES resources:
1873 lease of the Old Stone Fort Old Stone Fort Saloon 1961 Nacogdoches telephone directory cover Relic of Texas History news clipping Old Stone Fort, circa 1890 Old Stone Fort, circa 1885 Downtown Nacogdoches and Stone Fort, circa 1899