Today, I’m presenting programs at Region 9 Educational Service Center in Wichita Falls, Texas. I’ve already presented my Scots-Irish and Civil War programs, and after lunch, I’m going to present my Texas History program. That program is a new one, and I hope to add other new programs including the World War I Poets and another for Chinese Poetry. I am a Native Texan, and I love the state of my birth. The Texas Program (like my others) has more than I can present in one session, but here are the highlights I’m prepared to address:
I. The TEKS it addresses:
History:
02. The student understands how individuals, events, and issues prior to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas.
03. The student understands how individuals, events, and issues related to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas.
04. The student understands how individuals, events, and issues shaped the history of the Republic of Texas and early Texas statehood.
05. The student understands how events and issues shaped the history of Texas during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Culture:
19B – Culture
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.
Social Studies 42D
The student will identify the accomplishments of significant empresarios including Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, and Martín de León and explain their impact on the settlement of Texas
II. The Empresarios (especially the Irish empresarios)
III. The Tejanos (influence, culture, importance)
1. Juan Seguin, Santo Benavides and other significant leaders
2. Comancheros, Ciboleros and other unique groups
IV. The Comanche and Kiowa Cultures and Wars, stories of captives such as Cynthia Parker, famous war chiefs such as Quanah Parker and Nokona (Comanche) Lone Wolf and Satanta (Kiowa).
V. The Civil War in Texas
VI. The Texas Rangers
VII. Books about Texas/lecture and writing exercises on Not Between Brothers by David Marien Wilkinson and Larry McMurtry’s series: Dead Man’s Walk, Comanche Moon, and Lonesome Dove.
VIII. The History of Texas in Song (featuring historical songs, but also some songs by friend and songwriter, Jed Marum)