Teacher: Christy White

Subject Area: Social Studies

Grade Level: 4th Grade
Lesson Title: Historic Half Minute

TEKS:
SS 4.2(B), 4.6(A), 4.8(B), 4.11(A), 4.22(A); LA 3.12(H), 3.20(D), 4.10(G), 4.21(D),
4.25(B)

Guiding Questions:

What led European explorers to the Western Hemispheres and to Texas?

How do missions serve as landmarks in Texas?

When, where, and why did the Spanish establish Catholic missions in Texas?

What are various reasons why Europeans came to Texas

Objective/Purpose :

Summarize reasons for European explorations including the three Gs: God - spreading Catholicism;
Gold - seeking wealth; and Glory - making claims for European countries
Identify accomplishments of Christopher Columbus such as being the first European explorer who
discovered North America.
The student will identify accomplishments of Cabeza de Vaca, the Spanish explorer who taught
American Indians about the Roman Catholic religion while traveling through what is present day
Texas.
The student will identify accomplishments of Francisco Coronado who explored Llano Estacado and
the Palo Duro Canyon.
The student will identify accomplishments of Ren Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle, who was the
French explorer who threatened Spain's hold on Texas land.
The student will explain when, where, and why the Spanish established Catholic missions in Texas.

Differentiation:
Students will be working in groups with students of differing abilities as to enhance engagement, learning, and
achievement.

Materials/Resources Needed:
Resources on Texas explorers including books, Internet sources (www.lsjunction.com) and the Profile Cards
o

Books:
Explorers in Early Texas by Betsy Warren
The Travels of Francisco de Coronado by Deborah Crisfield

A Paradise Called Texas by Janice Jordan Shefleman (teacher will be reading this aloud to
students)

Videos: Discovery Streaming:

"Just the Facts: American History: America's Explorers and Pioneers"

-clip: The Vikings and Christopher Columbus

-clip: The Conquistadors: DeSoto and Coronado

Steps:
1. Introduce the lesson by asking students to imagine going on a trip without a map,
not knowing any information about the roads, terrain, weather, places to eat or
sleep, or about the people whom they might encounter. Ask how many of them
would like to do that. Play Philosophical Chairs game. Pose the question, Youve been asked to go on a
journey to a new land. Its going to rough and you may even die, but you will be rewarded handsomely for your
efforts. Do you go? In this game there are two sides. Each child must choose a side or can stay undecided. It
is up to each side to persuade others to come to their side.
2. Remind students that when our country was explored, that was exactly the
situation. There were many unknowns. Ask the students to brainstorm a list of
characteristics of an explorer. Possible responses include: brave, adventurous,
willing to be uncomfortable, enjoy being outdoors, curious, good leader.
3.Show video clips from United Streaming Discuss why Christopher Columbus, DeSoto, and Coronado came
to America. Did these explorers possess these qualities?
4. Students will work in groups to research some noted Texas explorers including
Cabeza de Vaca, Hernan Cortez, Hernando de Soto, Francisco Vasquez de
Coronado, Sieur de La Salle, and Christopher Columbus.
5. Each group will use the Profile Cards or various other sources including childrens
books, and internet sources to find information. Students should
gather the following information and write a short summary on each of the following:
a. Where the explorer came from
b. Where in Texas or the Southwest he explored
c. The reason for the exploration
d. The dates of the exploration
e. The results of the exploration
f. Background of the explorer
g. Any interesting anecdote about the exploration that the student can find.
6. Students should have a well-written summary that has been revised and edited for correct conventions.
Once students have researched and have written their summaries, they will present their findings using
PowerPoint, Prezi, Weebly, etc..