Texas History 1 – Early Texas History

~ Darcy Hamilton

We are starting with Early Texas History.

Supplies you’ll need:

  • printer paper
  • light cardstock
  • printer
  • Book: Texas History by Mary Dodson Wade, ISBN 978-1-4034-0687-3 (if you don’t have access to your local library to read this book for free, skip it and just read the website listed.)

While we are mostly starting with the history of European explorers coming to Texas, it’s important to remember that there were Native Americans living here long, long before anyone else showed up. Either print or read online pages 2-5 from this online workbook from Texas Parks and Wildlife about Texas Native Americans. (Parents, this book has a lot of other pages with reading and activities if your children are interested in diving deeper and learning more about Early Texas Native Americans.)

-Read “Early Texas Prehistory to 1800” in Texas History.  This can be a read-aloud together, or as independent reading, if your child is older. If you do not have access to this book for free in your public library, read this page about Prehistoric Texas from Texas Beyond History.

-Read the first section on the Texas Parks and Wildlife page about Palo Duro Canyon’s history. Go to Google Maps and use street view to take a look at different parts of the canyons.

-Head over to your Texas History Writing Assignments and complete the questions under History 1.

Texas History Vocabulary-Today we are going to start our Texas History Vocabulary Words. Print out the vocabulary sheets on regular printer paper. Print out the Texas History Vocab Envelope on light cardstock. (Any color is fine, but I recommend a rugged brown. 😉

-Cut out the envelope, and fold and glue. Let that dry while you cut out the first sheet of vocabulary words. (We are starting slowly, so save the other pages for another time.)

-Two ways to play:

  • Lay the vocabulary words and their definitions face up and try to match them (younger children,)
  • Or lay them face down and play a memory game with them. (Older children)

Once you are finished, place the words and definitions in your (dry) Texas History Vocabulary Envelope.