Battle Report Newsletter & This Week in Texas History

The State Parks & Wildlife folks over at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site offer a weekly email newsletter, rather well done.  The Battle Report focuses on current events happening there, it's a lot - the Monument, the Battleship, and the grounds. Occasional strategic affairs are addressed.  Public, volunteer, and staff activities are covered. Conservation and public service are the principal elements.  Remember that it also includes the Battleship Texas.  Archeological notes are included from time to time. The Battle Report bills itself as: ""The purpose of this newsletter is to communicate the site's day-to-day natural and cultural resource management activities. Our goal is to inform and educate our staff, partners, and friends – and those we have yet to meet – Welcome!" I can't see the Monument from my window so its nice of Russ Kuykendall, Park Complex Superintendent, to have added me to their mailing list.  He can add you too!  Just ask him.  Call 281/479-2431 . One of the regular columns is "This Week in Texas History."  The photography is good!   Visit their websites at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/battleship_texas/

Heart of Texas Literature Center - Brownwood

The Heart of Texas Literature Center in Brownwood describes itself as "The Heart of Texas Literature Center is a combination review/examination center.  Books sent by publishers are kept on display at the Center, and reviews are published in our quarterly journal, the Lorgnette. Our reviews can also be found on the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD).  Our facility is part of the Walker Memorial Library on the campus of Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas." and "The Heart of Texas Literature Center is dedicated to making current children's and teenagers' literature available for public viewing and informing the public of the literature through providing evaluative reviews.  The current collection consists of books and book related media that are published and/or made available for sale for the first time in the United States during 2006. Professionals read and evaluate books and write reviews.  We publish the reviews in our quarterly journal, the Lorgnette."   It's a remarkable endeavor.  They collect children and young adult books from across the nation and review dozens in each issue of their online Lorgnette periodical.  Their dozens of reviewers from the region are teachers, librarians, university professors, and the sort who've have genuine experience with the kids.  Carrie Harding is Director; Blanche Byrd is Assistant Director; Patsy Weeks is Director of Outreach; and Marsha Harper is editor of the Lorgnette.  Their interests are very wide, and there is some Texana in each issue.   Read more at http://ww1.hputx.edu/Hotlit/

Young Readers at TCU Press

Texas Christian University Press has several titles for its series "Chaparral Books for Young Readers."   See http://www.prs.tcu.edu/series_titles.html   War Pony Luke and the Van Zandt County War  Tame the Wild Stallion Lone Hunter's Gray Pony Lone Hunter and the Cheyennes  Duster Muddy Banks Stay Put, Robbie McAmis  Letters to Oma Have Gun--Need Bullets Josefna and the Hanging Tree You're an Orphan, Mollie Brown!

High School students - YA at TCU

Texas Christian University Press has an extensive list of volumes.  Many of those have been gathered and categorized as suggestions for classroom adoptions for college students.  High school librarians may wish to view their list for titles applicable to enrich their collections. Their Texana appears in several categories other than those specified by "History" and "Literature." See http://www.prs.tcu.edu/classroom%20adoptions.html    The categories are African American Studies, Civil Rights Studies Studies of Aging Border Studies, Mexican History, and Mexican-American History Civil War Studies Drama Economics and Labor Relations Education German-American Studies History, American West History, Texas Hydropolitics Literature, Texas Native American Studies Philosophy Women's Studies

Trail Riding Kids

The Westerner brings news of children on a special trail ride. The posting begins "Thirty youngsters from three north and west Texas school districts will spend their Spring Break rolling through the rugged expanses of West Texas in covered wagons to get a taste of what their pioneering forebears experienced some 150 years ago. The youth outreach trail ride, sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association, will cover roughly 75 miles from Marfa to Big Bend Ranch State Park outside Presidio. " Read more at http://thewesterner.blogspot.com/2009/03/west-texas-trail-ride-to-teach-school.html

Sam Houston - Wade

Sam Houston: Standing Firm by Mary Dodson Wade and illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein.  Albany and Houston: Bright Sky Press, 2009. 24 pages.  http://brightskypress.com/   Large picture book, colored drawings.  ISBN 978-1-933979-3-7.   $16.95 Hardback.   Reading level ages 5-7, grades k-2.   Mary Wade, author of many children's books, inaugurates Bright Sky's new series, Texas Heroes for Young Readers.  Joy Fisher has also illustrated Miss Ladybird's Wildflowers. Here's the life of Houston in a hundred sentences, most quite short, spread over the two dozen pages, each of which is illustrated in four color form.   The work steadily develops Sam's trait of standing firm, aka aloofness or  stubbornness or arrogance or blindness, as may have been alleged over time by Sam's non-supporters.  But for the youngest kids Mary gracefully tends toward the positive adjective "firm."  Houston leaves school, home, traditional culture for the Cherokee ways, etc.  He goes into teaching, soldiering, and politics.  In Texas he signs the Declaration of Independence (although unnamed in the book), retreats from the Alamo trap, and wins at San Jacinto.  The presidency prepares him for another try at matrimony.  Then it's the Senate and the Governor's chair which is taken from him for his "refusal to be loyal to a new country."  He dies after moving into his Huntsville Steamboat House.  Most of the illustrations depict the out-of-doors, and most of the sentences use active verbs.  Pronunciation aids follow some words. http://www.wadeco.com/author.htm   http://www.joyfisherhein.com/ http://www.prbythebook.com

Last Renegade - Kearby

The Last Renegade.  By Mike Kearby.  Austin:  Trail's End Books, 2008.  paperback, illus, 180 pages.  ISBN 9780978842291 $14.95. Ages 14 and up.  http://www.mikekearby.us/   Mike Kearby brings young readers another well- paced Western novel set in South Texas 1877.  Codified retributive justice is first found in Hammurabi's Code from the ancient Mesopotamia river valleys – "an eye for an eye."  But here the story involves a couple of young boys and a girl and a dog. Young-Man-Listens, a nine-year old Comanche, is captured by slavers and sold to a travelling circus where the nefarious Shelly McDuff cages him and bills him to gawkers as "The Last Renegade – Chief Raging Bull" for two years.  Then the show rolls into Sheriff Miller's Territory.  Miller's eleven-year-old son, Jake, immediately sees through the injustice of the imprisonment and sets the young Comanche free whereupon the two plus Marty scat on a trail of hiding, hunting, capture, a fight (partially aided by Walter the dog), and ultimate salvation by Jake's father.  Young-Man-Listens eventually relents on the impulse of worst vengeance and rides off toward home in Oklahoma.   A side plot that finally weaves it way in is about the scarcity of water and a new spring on the Miller's land that triggers a greedy plot of multiple murders. Mack White's illustrations seem influenced by Nast cartoons and Hank the Cowdog.

Alamo Lesson Plans

4th and 7th grade lesson plans for the Alamo are available from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, each about 40 pages long. http://www.thealamo.org/lesson.html   Other uninspected Alamo lesson plans are http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/battleofthealamo/ http://texashistory.unt.edu/young/educators/alamo/lp8.shtml http://texashistory.unt.edu/young/educators/alamo/lp7.shtml   http://texashistory.unt.edu/young/educators/alamo/lp4.shtml http://www.readinga-z.com/newfiles/levels/lesson_plans/t/thealamo/thealamo_print.html http://www.historynow.org/03_2007/lp4.html   Lessonplan.com has over a hundred connected plans

El Paso History Day

Dr. Keith A. Erekson, Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Teaching Social Studies in El Paso Initiative , UTEP, directs you to the UTEP History Department hosting of a website on "El Paso History Day."  At the moment it includes a wonderful list of its contest winners from the local schools.  YTR hopes this list will be archived on the same site next year as the 2010 winners are announced.  The many titles of the projects themselves are inspiring.  The local sponsor is Dr. Charles H. Martin. El Paso History Day   Self-described as: "El Paso History Day is a yearly event sponsored by the Department of History.  It serves as the local (regional) qualifying event for Texas History Day and National History Day.  National History Day is an educational program devoted to improving the teaching and learning of history in American schools.  It is designed to provide a meaningful way for middle and high school students to study historical issues, ideas, people, and events by engaging in project based learning and research.   The theme for this year's contest is "The Individual in History:  Actions and Legacies."   The twelfth annual El Paso History Day contest will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009, on the UTEP campus.  Last year some 224 middle school and high school students registered for the event.   Approximately 260 students from 24 schools are expected to participate in 2009.  The categories in which students may enter are:                  Exhibits—individual and group entries                 Documentaries—individual and group entries                 Performances—individual and group entries                 Interpretive Web Sites—combined entries                 Papers—individual entries only " See the winning projects at http://academics.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=55305

Teaching of Texas History Award

Humanities Texas offers Teaching awards, one is the Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award Self described as "The Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award was established in memory of Ms. Howell, former chair of the Humanities Texas Board of Directors, as a lasting tribute to her service to the organization and her commitment to the study of Texas history. The winning teacher receives a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $500 for his or her school for the purchase of instructional materials supporting Texas history."  Read more at http://www.humanitiestexas.org/education/awards/

Texas Stories website

Texas Stories has an admirable variety of useful options for teachers of Texas history. http://www.texasstories.com/    Self-description: "TEXAS STORIES is a Texas History Audio Series, Web Site and Weekly e-Newsletter about the Lone Star State. Hosted by Timothy Patrick Miller, TEXAS STORIES will present 30- to 90-second audio programs and interviews about people, places and events in Texas History using music, sound effects, actualities and the art of storytelling. OUR TOWN: Audio Postcards and Audio Snapshots from the Past will feature 30- to 90-second stories about local and regional history for web site and e-Newsletter presentation. TEXAS STORIES Weekly Audio Series will be podcast, available online and distributed via the Weekly e-Newsletter. The Web Site will feature story and interview audio clips, transcripts, historical images and links to online Texas History resources. Expanded City and County web pages are in development and will showcase the OUR TOWN programming. A free, subscriber-based, email Newsletter -- TEXAS STORIES WEEKLY -- will present the Project's weekly audio feature, a weekly audio contest called What's My Story?, audio interviews and fascinating facts about Texas History. A Story Forum and Classroom Activities for Grades 4 and 7 are also in development."    Audio Shows Podcasts Audio Postcards Audio Snapshots Weekly e-Newsletter Classroom Activities Texas History Resources Stories Music Adventure

Texas History Teachers Bulletin 1912

The Texas History Teachers Bulletin .  This digital volume begins with volume 1, number 1, November 1912 (UT Dept. of History) and includes several subsequent issues into 1914.  It is available full-text online through Google.  All 135 pages.  It's almost a centennial piece.  Most of the content regards broader American and European history, but some Texana is included, some being reports from local teachers (from Austin, Cleburne, Wichita Falls, Galveston, Cuero, etc.), an occasional history of Texas bibliography, etc.  Barker and Raines figure in the contributors.  Teachers are also guided in the use of the blackboard, notebooks, maps, and other pedagogial devices.  Some industrious person could make a great historical inquiry into Texana pedagogy.  You can also download it as a pdf file for convenience.   The introductory quotation begins, Lamar as expected. "The cultivated mind is the guardian genuis of democracy...."  Its "Purpose" statement includes a precedent from the American Historical Association's The History Teacher's Magazine.  The first issue has an essay on "Charles the Great." http://books.google.com/books?id=kQACAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage The copy comes from the Harvard Univesity Library of the Graduate School of Education, digitized only last May.

DRT Elaine Davis Award

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas begin a new award honoring Elaine B. Davis.  The first award goes to Debra Winegarten who plans a juvenile book on Clara Driscoll.   http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/elaine-b-davis-research-award-winner-announced/ This inaugural award is self-described as "The Elaine B. Davis Research Award, endowed by the 2007-2009 Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Committee chaired by Connie Impelman and sponsored by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, is awarded to bring scholars to San Antonio, Texas, to work with the unique materials housed at the DRT Library. Mrs. Davis served as Director of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library from 1998-2008."

Declaration of Independence

March 2, 1836 - Texas Declaration of Independence from the Convention of 1836.  Take a digital tour, chase a few rabbits, learn a little.   Texas State Library http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/declare-01.html   Handbook of Texas Online http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/mjtce.html   Texas Almanac http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/declaration/   UT Tarleton Law Library http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/text/1836dindex.html   Yale University's Avalon Project http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/texdec.asp   Humanities Texas traveling and online exhibit http://www.humanitiestexas.org/exhibits/list/signers/overview.php   Portal to Texas History lesson plan http://texashistory.unt.edu/young/educators/notebook/Declaration/index.shtml Dawn Bishop's lesson plan http://texashistory.unt.edu/young/educators/notebook/Declaration/lesson.doc Texas Tides lesson plan http://tides.sfasu.edu/Teachers/Tides/docs/LessonPlans/MiddleSchool/social/MurphreyIndependence.html   Texas State Cemetery http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/signers.asp   Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Weblog http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/texas-independence-day-march-2/   Lone Star Junction commentary http://www.lsjunction.com/docs/tdoi.htm   Wkipedia, of all places http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Declaration_of_Independence   Books Greatness to Spare: The Heroic Sacrifices of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence  by T.R. Fehrenbach Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence  by Benson J. Lossing  The Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence by Louis Kemp The Texas Declaration of Indepedence in Exact Facsimile by Anson Jones Press Articles Greer, James K. "The Committee on the Texas Declaration of Independence," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 30 and 31 (April and July 1927), 239-251, 33-49. Shuffler, R. Henderson. "The Ark of the Covenant of the Texas Declaration of Independence." Southwestern Historical Quarterly 65 (July 1961), 87-100. Shuffler, R. Henderson. "The Signing of Texas' Declaration of Independence: Myth and Record." Southwestern Historical Quarterly 65 (Jan. 1962), 310-332.

Heritage Society Trunk Shows

The Heritage Society (Houston) outreaches with offers a "Trunk Show" for children's groups, self-described as below: http://www.heritagesociety.org/ "Traveling Trunk Shows The Heritage Society offers two traveling trunk shows as part of our Community Outreach Program. These programs are popular with schoolchildren and scout groups. Each trunk shows lasts about 50 minutes and costs $50.00 per show. Mileage fees may apply. Shows are presented by our dedicated volunteers. Pioneer Trunk Show Texas history comes to life with The Heritage Society's Pioneer Trunk Show. Our frontier-clad presenter brings the show to your location. Children learn about the past through three-dimensional historical objects, such as early candle molds and corn husk dolls. This unique learning experience is suited for children ages 8-12 and ties in perfectly with the Texas history curriculum."

Lulu and Childrens' Texana

Lulu.com offers publication services to authors.  The site enables a user to search by keyword and filter to find childrens' book.  These emerged.  The entries were annotated and accompanied by a jacket illustration.  Lulu is at http://www.lulu.com.  Click on the titles here.  Or click on the author because some have other titles gathered there.   Texas Story   by Clark Childers   A Miracle in Texas  by Martha E. Hoskins   The Red Booted Chicken  by Sean McLellan   Cactus Jack, The Texas Hare's Adventure to See the Sea  by Louise A. Wilken   Lexington, The Early Years  by Trudy Holland   No More Hard Times   by Debi Kay Goodwin   CATCH ME IF I FALL *A CHILDREN'S SEIZURE AWARENESS STORY* Pocketbook edition   by Neebeeshaabookway (L.G)   Mystery on Blossom Lane  by Annette Evans   The Magic Stove  by Alexis Jones   ARTLANTICA: The Secret Kingdom Beneath Galveston Island  by Paige Pearl Artlantica Activity Book 1  by Paige Pearl   I Am Never Alone  by Jennifer Morris, Morgan Morris   Patches The Cat And Friends  by Armadillo Greenhouse .com   ADVENTURES OF WHIRLWIND "The Hermit"  by Merewether Hawk ADVENTURES OF WHIRLWIND "THE TRAIN"  by Merewether Hawk ADVENTURES OF WHIRLWIND "KING MOUNTAIN"  by Merewether Hawk   A New Home For Gabril  by Kimberly Smart Ph.D.   Monkey Business witnessed by 'Amber the Rambler'  by Louise Crowley   Sherlock Clyde and the Chicken Caper  by Amanda L. Goode   Lucy Bell, Queen of the Pasture  by Rubye Weldon Stripland Lucy Bell, Queen of the Pasture Book Two  by Rubye Weldon Stripland Lucy Bell, Queen of the Pasture, Book Three  by Rubye Weldon Stripland Lucy Bell, Queen of the Pasture Book Four  by Rubye Weldon Stripland

Judy Alter on Will Howard in Dallas Morning News

Last Sunday Judy Alter wrote in one of her occasional Dallas Morning News "Texas Letters" column about Will Howard, publisher of Will's Texana Monthy and host of the Texas Parlor etc.  Her kindness and generosity are exposed.  Thanks to Judy.  Hmm, she surely knows how to put the carrot out in front of this bibliographer.  Read more at   http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/books/stories/DN-bk_alterhoward_0222gd.ART.State.Edition1.4c00ec8.html   Keep up with Judy at http://judys-stew.blogspot.com/

Zoe, the Earless Kitten - Webb

The SF Gate: Home of the San Francisco Chronicle carries a delightful story and review of a Kingsville cat and book. Earless cat changes Texas mom, daughter's lives Eileen Mitchell begins her article "When the Kingsville, Texas, pair adopted an abused kitten whose ears had been sliced off, they were inspired to write a touching children's book titled "Zoe the Earless Kitten." Today, mother and daughter visit local elementary schools, sharing Zoe's experience and teaching children the importance of kindness to animals. They also hope their story will encourage the adoption of animals that appear less than perfect."   Illustrator John Aregood is a young Aggie.   Read more of Melissa and Lexy's book   http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/24/HODM1618TH.DTL or http://www.zoetheearlesscat.com/

Archeology Lessons

Archeology Month is October.  But the Texas Historical Commission has some material for teachers who can use them throughout the year.  Their information sheet begins with this:   "How to Plan and Manage an Archeology Fair Archeology fairs emphasize hands-on activities, displays and interactive exhibits. This manual contains a step-by-step checklist for planning a fair and ideas for activities including spear toss with atlatl, demonstration dig, flintknapping, wild-plant use, pottery making, rock-art painting, basket making, storytelling, tipi life, traditional foods and weaving. Also included are handouts to be used with various activities, as well as forms for scheduling volunteers and requesting publicity. About 40 pages long, the manual is intended for three-hole punching and placement in a notebook so you can add information, forms and other activity ideas of your own.   Texas Archeology in the Classroom: A Unit for Teachers You can use this valuable classroom resource throughout the year. The four-part unit includes the following: • Background sections that explain how archeologists work and provide overviews of archeological sites and Native Americans in Texas from Paleoindian through historical times. • More than 20 activities or lesson plans using archeological topics for learning across the curriculum."   Read more about it at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/archeology/aapdfs/TAM_ordr_frm_08.pdf and http://www.thc.state.tx.us/archeology/aatam.shtml

Houston Texana Activities

Some interesting options are noticed in March newsletter of Young Audiences of Houston   Music in our Schools Month, Women's History Month, and Texas Independence Day For the full schedule see  http://www.ya.houston.org     From their  several fine options are threee clearly Texana   InterActive Theater  - The Story of the Lone Star State Performance, Grades 1-7 This original production by Houston 's award-winning children's theater takes a bite out of Texas history. From the Native Americans to NASA astronauts, 600 years of Texas tales are told in 45 minutes. Audiences learn about Indian folklore, Spanish exploration, Hispanic heritage, and the many cultures and peoples that have shaped our state. Four actors play more than 50 roles, bringing to life such colorful characters as Sam Houston, Santa Anna, and James Bowie. Students experience a fantastic performance and become part of history, as the unique InterActive Theater Company allows them to volunteer on stage, answer questions, and offer suggestions to the actors. Teachers and educators find Texas history curriculum enhanced by a production that is at once educational and entertaining. So saddle up for the ride of your life – and don't worry, we'll remember the Alamo ! Single performance $760  Back to back $885  Audience limit 450  Performance length 45 minutes   John M. Keahey - Soldiers of the Texas Revolution, 1835 to 1836 Performance, Grades 2-12 The epic of Texas ' struggle for independence from Mexico is brought to life through the motley clothing and equipment of typical Texan settlers and Texan Army volunteers. The Texan diversity of clothing is then contrasted with the elaborate European-style uniform of a Mexican foot soldier. Single performance $200  Same day performances $100 for each additional  Audience limit 60  Performance length 45 minutes   Paragon Brass Ensemble  - Texas, Alive with Music Performance, Grades 3-12 View the sweeping pageantry of Texas history through music. From early Spanish exploration and the first settlement by American frontiersmen to the Battle for Independence and the Civil War, music has given voice to the land of Texas . Listen and learn as Paragon Brass traces this epic saga with musical selections relating Texas ' journey from colonization to independent nation to the Lone Star State . Single performance $695 / Back to back $800 / Audience limit 300 / Performance length 45 minutes

Texas Master Naturalists

Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are often helpful for acquainting youngsters with the flora and fauna of Texas.  Their mission is self-described "The Mission: To develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Many communities and organizations rely on such citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts. In fact, a short supply of dedicated and well-informed volunteers is often cited as a limiting factor for community-based conservation efforts."   Some of the chapters are   Alamo Area-San Antonio Big Country-Abilene Blackland Prairie-Plano Brazos Valley-College Station Capital Area-Austin Cinco Tierra-Navasota Coastal Prairie-Rosenburg Cradle of Texas-Angleton Cross Timbers-Fort Worth Cypress Basin-Jefferson East Texas-Tyler El Camino Real-Cameron Elm Fork-Denton Galveston Bay-Galveston Gideon Lincecum-Brenham Gulf Coast-Houston Hays County-San Marcos Heart of Texas-Waco Heartwood-Conroe Highland Lakes-Burnet Hill Country Llano Estacado-Big Spring Lindheimer-New Braunfels Lost Pines-Bastrop Mid-Coast-Bay City North Texas-Dallas Panhandle-Amarillo Red River-Clarksville Rio Brazos-Cleburne Rio Grande Valley-San Benito Rolling Plains-Wichita Falls Tierra Grande-Alpine Trans_Pecos-El Paso   Read more at http://masternaturalist.tamu.edu/ Members may be aware of books applicable to your locale.

Kids Page - Texas Parks & Widllife

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides on-line booklets suitable for young readers as part of their many services. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/kids/ General Information Frankie the Free-tailed Bat(PDF 1.6 MB) Texas Tracks (Animal Tracks) (PDF 459.1 KB) The Endangered Species Activity Book (PDF 1.2 MB) The Indian Years Coloring Book (PDF 400.7 KB) Learn About Texas Birds Activity Book (PDF 4.3 MB) Learn About Texas Dinosaurs Activity Book (PDF 4 MB) Learn About Texas Freshwater Fishes Activity Book (PDF 6.7 MB) Learn About Texas Indians Activity Book (PDF 3.9 MB) Learn About Texas Insects Activity Book (PDF 5.1 MB) Texas Symbols at State Parks Coloring Book (PDF 967.5 KB) Texas Wildlife Coloring Book (PDF 314.3 KB) Texas Wildlife Management Area Coloring Book (PDF 372.1 KB) Typical Freshwater Habitats Leaflet (PDF 363.9 KB) Outdoor Kids Journal Pocket-sized journal (PDF 838 KB) (4 per page to fold as 4.25" x 5.5" booklet) Full-page size journal (PDF 878.1 KB) (prints as 8 1/2" x 11") Small-size journal (PDF 872.7 KB) (prints as 4.25" x 5.5") Arts and Crafts Animal Masks Attwater's Prairie Chicken Mask (PDF 231.3 KB) Houston Toad Mask (PDF 303.6 KB) Monarch Butterfly Mask (PDF 222.9 KB) Ocelot Mask (PDF 231.3 KB) Salamander Hat (PDF 40 KB) Salamander Mask (PDF 203.9 KB) Short Grass Prairie Activities and Mobile Cut-Out (PDF 162.7 KB) Swift Fox Mask (PDF 274.2 KB) Texas Horned Lizard Mask (PDF 218.2 KB) Ruby-throated Hummingbird Mask (PDF 213.3 KB)

Color Texas Animals

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers dozens of images that they encourage you to print-out and supply to children to color.  For example, prairie dogs.     There's also a supply of state symbols, e.g., a setting of chili and jalapeño peppers.     http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/fun_stuff/color/color_texas_animals.phtml

Texas Studies - Birdville ISD

The Birdville ISD site is rich with Texas instruction aids.  Seems the folks at Birdville ISD take good steps to aid their Texana teachers.    The Social Studies Curriculum can be explored at http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/Instruction/CurcInstruction/social_studies_scopesequence_current.html#2   Their posted version of the 6-page 7th grade Texas History: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills is augmented with correlations with TAKS Correlations (Grades 8, 10, 11)  and  Correlations Tested on TAAS, not on TAKS http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/instruction/ss2/SS%20Resources/7th%20Resources/7th%20TEKS%20w%20TAKS%20highlighted.doc   Among the 4th grade documents is the basic TEKS Texas history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, culture, and science and social studies annotated bibliography by Dr. Donna Norton, offered by TEA: http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/Instruction/ss2/SS%20Resources/SSC%20TEKS%20Resources/'03%20Bibliographies/bib_4th.pdf    One of BISD's 2nd grade documents for  State and Local Community awareness is at http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/Instruction/CurcInstruction/images/social_studies/ACTIVE_docs/Grade_2/State%20Community,%20Unit%205.xls http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/Instruction/CurcInstruction/images/social_studies/ACTIVE_docs/Grade_2/Local%20Community,%20Unit%204.xls   Their kindergarten charts demonstrate keen detail and assistance. At present I'm not sure whether the K TEKS charts were developed by BISD or whether they are provided by the State.  For example, see http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/Instruction/ss2/Scope%20&%20Sequence%20Documents/00K/5th%20six%20weeks%20Kinder.doc   Kudos to all those in and around Halton City, home of BISD.

Texas Culinary Lesson

The Elisharose News reports an interesting option for student field trips.    Go to a "Texas" themed or fooded restaurant.  In this case they went to "The Taste of Texas" in Houston.  There, the ever bountiful Nina Hendee extended the students learning with her own presentation.   http://elisharose.blogspot.com/2009/02/in-praise-of-nina-hendee.html   http://www.tasteoftexas.com/

123 Texas

Mike Merschal at the Dallas News' "Texas Pages" blog must have need a  breather from his usual national commentary of grown-up books.  He's mentions 123 Texas: A Cool Counting Book, a board book.   http://booksblog.guidelive.com/archives/2008/12/1-2-3-texas-count-on-this-one.html

Evolultion of Calpurnia Tate - Kelly

The Goddess of YA Literature" reveiws "The Evolution of Callpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly.  Set on the San Marcos River. http://professornana.livejournal.com/281521.html