New Deal for Texas Parks - interactive exhibit from TPWD

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has developed an interactive exhibit on the New Deal for Texas Parks: It's self-description begins: "Welcome to a New Deal for Texas Parks - an online exhibit and education center for teachers and students of Texas history, made possible in part through the generous support of Humanities Texas' Linden Heck Howell Texas History Grant. Humanities Texas is a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Flip through the pages of the scrapbook to explore how individuals, communities and landscapes in Texas were impacted by the New Deal Era. Discover how the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed many of the state parks we enjoy today. Explore a variety of primary source documents such as photographs, oral histories, letters and music that help tell this American story through the eyes of Texas."  Read more at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/historic_sites/ccc/new_deal_texas_main/ Open the Table of Contents or select a theme.  Click on a page's corner and turn the page.  The "My Keepsake" pdf on the left of each section's first page offers a type of lesson plan.

Pecos Bill goes international via radio broadcast

An international revival of Pecos Bill is accorded by its inclusion in the Voice of America's Special English series.  The story is at the posting and an audio version is as well.  The comments on the posting come from all over the globe demonstrating the story's continued universal appeal of Edward O'Rielly's 1920's popularization of Bill and Slue-Foot Sue. http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-11-28-voa3.cfm See a summary of a 7-volume series at http://www.americanfolklore.net/pecosbill.html

Last Night I San to the Monster - Saenz

The School Library Journal has made its selections for best books of 2009, and a Texas publisher's title in included.   "SÁENZ, Benjamin Alire. Last Night I Sang to the Monster. Cinco Puntos. Tr $19.95. ISBN 978-1-933693-58-3. Gr 9 Up–Eighteen-year-old alcoholic Zach doesn't know how he got to rehab, but with the steadfast support of his therapist and his fatherly roommate, he gradually allows horrific memories to emerge. This is a wrenching and inspiring portrayal of loss, love, and the process of recovery." http://www.cincopuntos.com/ See the whole list at http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6708210.html

Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Kelly

The School Library Journal has selected its best books of 2009 and a piece of Texana is among the best.  SLJ briefly cites the title "KELLY, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Holt.Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-8841-0. Gr 5-8–During the long, hot Texas summer and fall of 1899, a girl with six brothers and a disdain for the domestic arts hones her observational skills with the help of her unconventional naturalist granddaddy and a copy of Mr. Charles Darwin's Origin of Species."

Hypocricsy of Education (in Texas) - Kearby

Texas author for young readers offers his opinion on Texas education testing http://www.aussieschoolpals.com/education/the-hypocrisy-of-education-reform-in-texas/

Ron Stone Academy for the Teaching of Texas History

University of Houston New Release   Texas History Academy links late Ron Stone, UHFoundation Gift Launches New Resource for Texas History Teachers It begins:  "June 3, 2009 - Houston - The rugged history of the Lone Star State is revealed in landmarks, cities and tales.  Now, a new resource at the University of Houston Center for Public History helps Texas teachers harness that rich history for the classroom. The University of Houston Center for Public History has announced a $75,000 gift from the Ron Stone Foundation to begin the Ron Stone Academy for the Teaching of Texas History. The gift will be matched by a $75, 000 contribution by the university." Read more at:  http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2009articles/june2009/06032009CPHRonStoneAcademyforTexasHistory.php For more information about The Ron Stone Foundation, visit http://ronstonefoundation.org/.

General Land Office - Teachers Guide

Teachers Guide: Three Centuries on the Land: The Archives of the Texas General Land Office (The Story of Texas is told through the history of its public lands). Table of Contents Introduction....................................................................3 History of the Texas General Land Office.............................................4 Categories of Land Grants in Texas................................................10 Mineral Files..................................................................15 Digital Preservation Project............................................16 The Campaign to Save Texas History…………………17 Appendix A Commissioners of the General Land Office....................18 Appendix B Sources for Further Reading..........................................19   This 20-page document is available online at http://www.glo.state.tx.us/archives/additionpubs.html