Lesson 01: My Pledge to Texas

• 6 flags over Texas  
• 
   
• The Handbook of Texas Online TSHA: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online
• Teaching Texas: http://teachingtexas.org/
• Texas Almanac: http://www.texasalmanac.com
• Resources 4 Educators: http://education.texashistory.unt.edu
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – State: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/statesong.html
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Pledge: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/flagpledge.html

Lesson 02: Living in a Democracy

Vocabulary of Instruction

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Texas/Song.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STMRklYD_G8&noredirect=1   actual song sung

"Texas, Our Texas"

Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.
(chorus)

Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.
(chorus)

Texas, dear Texas! from tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

Chorus

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

LINKS

Who represents me?

• The Handbook of Texas Online TSHA: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online
• Teaching Texas: http://teachingtexas.org/
• Texas Almanac: http://www.texasalmanac.com
• Resources 4 Educators: http://education.texashistory.unt.edu
• iCivics: http://www.icivics.org/games
• Who Represents Me?: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
• Women in Texas History: http://www.womenintexashistory.org/
• Briscoe Center for American Center – Sam Rayburn: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/museums/rayburn_intro.php
• Humanities Texas: http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/clara-driscoll
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Ann Richards: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/modern/page3.html
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Sam Houston: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/giants/zavala-01.html
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Lorenzo de Zavala: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/giants/houston-01.html
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Adina de Zavala: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/rising/colquitt-alamo-1.html
• Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/gonzalez.html
• U.S. Department of State: http://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/baker-james-addison
• Supreme Court of Texas: http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/court/justice_wjefferson.asp

Unit 12 Exemplar Lesson 02: Living in a Democracy -Leadership 

Lesson Synopsis  Students will explain the importance of active participation in the democratic process; identify qualities of an effective leader; identify leaders in local and state government; and write a letter to an elected or appointed state official.

Key Understandings

• ·       Active participation in the democratic process in very important.
  —    Why is it important to be active in the democratic process?
  —    Why is effective leadership important in a constitutional republic?

Materials:
Texas Citizens; How can I be a good Texas citizen? p.37 from Dinah-Might Adventures book (copy in your box) -1per student
**Texas Citizens; Citizens Who Participated in the Democratic Process  p.38 from Dinah-Might Adventures book (copy in your box) -1per student


Procedures:

1. Write the following statement on the board:  “As citizens of Texas, we have a duty to participate in local and state civic affairs.”
   
   

Ask:

• ·       What does the phrase “civic affairs” mean? (Answers may vary but lead students to understand that “civic affairs” could mean public issues or activities of citizens that show they care about their community)
• ·       What ways can citizens participate voluntarily in civic affairs? (running for office, holding public officials to their words, being informed of your rights, writing letters to the officials, voting in elections, and participating in service projects) 
• ·       How can you be a good Texas citizen?  Ex of service projects they can take part in:  1. You can... Organize a class or school-wide event where community members can clean up or make improvements to the school. Invite students and their families to come and help the common good of the school. You can divide students into groups to manage different events and activities, such as a fund-raising bake sale, painting walls, picking up trash, planting trees or flowers, or getting donations for sports equipment the entire class or school can enjoy.  2. Neighborhood parks- clean, make improvements 3.

 2.  Handout Texas Citizens p.37 Students cut and paste  What are the duties of citizens? in notebooks.  Explain the importance being informed of the law / your rights as a U.S. citizen and voting.  Have students list other duties of citizen

3.  Students cut/paste How can I be a good Texas citizen? in their note books.  Students design a webpage addressing the question.  Students explain their inclusions underneath.

Part II:  Important individuals who modeled active participation in civic affairs
Students paste Citizens Who Participated in the Democratic Process in notebooks.  Supply handout: Active Citizen Cards.  Students describe the importance of each person's contribution to the democratic process in Texas (how they impacted Texas) under each tab.  

Warm Up: Brain Pop video Rights and Responsibilities  http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/citizenship/

Materials:
BrainPop:    http://www.brainpopjr.com/socialstudies/citizenship
    (Log in: saladois  Password: salado)

 
Texas Legislature Reps “Guess Who” ppt --attached

Texans Who Were Presidents PPT --attached

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/

optional: Kids House  http://kids.house.state.tx.us/  (A great website to teach Texas State Government)

Who Represents Me?: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Handout: Government Leaders National and State (1 per student) attached

Teacher Resource: PowerPoint: Government Structure attached

Procedures:
    PART I

1. Explain that the class is going to play a “Guess Who Game!”
2. Organize students into “Guess Who Partners.”
3. Write the names of the following individuals on the board but do not provide their titles:

• ·       Name of the current Texas Governor  Rick Perry
• ·       Names of the local representative to the Texas Legislature  Lloyd Doggett, John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Roland Gutierrez, Carlos Uresti  
• ·       Name of the local mayor   Julian Castro

Ask:

• ·       Which person is the current Governor of Texas? (Allow students to secretly confer with their “Guess Who Partner before providing responses.) 
• ·       Which people currently represent our local community in the State Legislature? (Allow students to secretly confer with their Guess Who Partner before providing responses.)
• ·       Which person currently serves as our city’s mayor? (Allow students to secretly confer with their Guess Who Partner before providing responses.  If the city does not have a mayor, the teacher may select another position of authority in city government.)

    PART II  (If time does not allow for this activity, go directly to Part III.  Use the ppt to                 .                    complete the handout.)

1. Remind students that we have a responsibility to not only participate in the state democratic process but also must participate in national civic affairs.
2. Display the Teacher Resource: PowerPoint: Government Structure. Explain how the national and the state governments have similar structures.
3. Distribute the Handout: Government Leaders National and State (1 per student).
4. Organize students into groups of four.
5. Add the following names to the names already written on the board, but do not identify their titles:

• ·       Name of the current U.S. President   Barack Obama
• ·       Names of U.S. Senators representing Texas John Cornyn, Ted Cruz
• ·       Name of U.S. Representatives representing your district   Congressman Lloyd Doggett
• ·       Names of State Senator    
• ·       Names of State Representative for your district; state representative and state senator  Representative Roland Gutierrez
• ·       Lyndon B. Johnson
• ·       George H.W. Bush
• ·       George W. Bush
• ·       Dwight D. Eisenhower

1. Working collaboratively with their group members, students make an educated guess (form a hypothesis) about which names go into the proper categories on their Handout: Government Leaders: National and State. (Students should use a pencil to write in their guesses so they may correct them later as appropriate.)

                                                       (This information is in the Tx Legislature ppt.) 

INFORMATION USING THE SCHOOL ADDRESS:  April 28, 2014

Salado Intermediate

3602 S W W  White Rd
San Antonio, TX
78222-5020
Bexar

·       Texas U.S. Senators    

U.S. Senators represent the entire state. Texas' current U.S. Senators are Senator John Cornyn and Senator Ted Cruz.

·       Texas U.S. Representative 

Congressional District 35--Congressman Lloyd Doggett

·       Texas State Senator

Senate District 19--Senator Carlos I. Uresti
Capitol Office: EXT E1.804
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0119
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: 2530 SW Military Drive, Suite 103
San Antonio TX 78224
Phone: (210) 932-2568

·       Texas State Representative

House District 119--Representative Roland Gutierrez
Capitol Office: CAP GN.9
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0452
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 3319 Sidney Brooks,, Building 510, Suite 2
San Antonio TX 78235
Phone: (210) 532-2758

• ·       Texas State Board of Education Member for District 3                                                   
• ·      Representative for City Council District 3

Rebecca J. Viagran   http://www.sanantonio.gov/council/d3

  PART III

Project Texas Legislature Reps .ppt (attached) so students can see what each rep looks like while presenting the accurate information identifying the following:

• ·       Name of the current U.S. President
• ·       Names of  the current U.S. Senators representing Texas
• ·       Name of the current U.S. Representatives representing your district
• ·       Name of the current State Senator for your district
• ·       Name of the current State Representative for your district,
• ·       Texans who were President:
• o   Lyndon B. Johnson
• o   George H.W. Bush
• o   George W. Bush
• o   Dwight D. Eisenhower

1. Students confirm any answers they categorized correctly, erase any incorrect answers, and add correct responses to their handout.
2. Explain that these individuals work hard to contribute to our democracy.

Materials:

computers (1 per pair)
http://www.icivics.org/games
Handout: Good Citizen (1 per student) --attached

Procedures:   This is an interactive lesson, if computers are not available you can project and complete whole group or preview the website and make a lesson that can be done without using the computer.

iCivics prepares young Americans to become knowledgeable, engaged 21st century citizens by creating free and innovative educational materials.

In 2009, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor founded iCivics to reverse Americans’ declining civic knowledge and participation. Securing our democracy, she realized, requires teaching the next generation to understand and respect our system of governance.

---Organize students into groups of two with one computer for each pair.

---Students go to the website iCivics to play one of three games that help them work through the problem-solving process or how to become an active participant in the democratic process.

• ·       Activate – Do you have an idea about how to make a positive difference in your community?
• ·       Cast a Vote – What issue do you want to ask candidates about?
• ·       Responsibility Launcher – Have you ever wanted to knock some civic sense into someone?

1.  Students use what they learned from the iCivics game to complete the Handout: Good Citizen or use technology to complete the task.
2.  Students draw a picture of themselves being a good citizen.

Materials:
Handout: Problem-Solving Process (1 per student)  --attached
Handout: Pre-Write: Letter to Representative (1 per student) --attached
Procedures:

1. Distribute the Handout: Problem-Solving Process (1 per student).
2. Brainstorm potential issues that elected officials might be able to address.
3. Select one of those issues as the problem students choose to address. Students fill in step 1: Identify a problem with the issue chosen.
4. Step 2: Gather information: Students gather information about the issue and determine which elected official might be able to help address this problem. Students or the teacher may access the following website to determine the appropriate contact information for their elected official: Who Represents Me? .
5. Step 3: List and consider options. The teacher assists students in listing several options for solving the problem.
6. Step 4: The teacher assists students in determining the advantages and disadvantages of the options in step 3.
7. Step 5: Students select the solution they prefer.
8. Step 6: Students implement their solution by writing their chosen elected official a letter asking them to consider their suggestions for resolving the selected issue.

• ·       Students complete the Handout: Pre-Write: Letter to Representative (1 per student) to prepare their letter.
• ·       Students trade letters with a peer to peer edit for the following:
• o   Correct spelling
• o   Correct punctuation
• o   Correct grammar
• o   Correct sentence structure
• ·       Students make corrections in the final draft of their letter

1. Step 7: Evaluate the solution.  Students wait to get a response from their elected official to evaluate the effectiveness of their suggestions

Warm-up: 15 minutes

Review for test: 

      Texas Song,

      Flags Over Texas,

      TX Gov/Senator,

      Mayor (City Hall),

      What do you do if you think a law is unfair (write/email legislature),

      civic affairs activities,

      Citizen roles in St/City elections,

      Important People of Tx (Clara Driscoll, Barbara Jordan, James Baker, Henry Gonzalez, Sam Rayburn, Sam Houston)

Materials:
Unit Test-- Texas Citizenship (attached)

Evaluation: 25 minutes

Unit 12 Test: Texas Citizenship