Students read some quotes about Texas and then write a statement of their own. Then they read about famous Texans in many different areas, such as sports and media. Next they learn about medical innovations developed in Texas, and they explain how these innovations benefit society. Finally they create posters expressing what it means to them to be a Texan.
Students read an introduction to the lesson about Texans’ contributions and review several quotations that express different perspectives on Texas and Texans. They then write and share their own brief statement about Texas, choosing a humorous or serious tone.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the overall flow and purpose of the lesson, highlight the objective, and review the vocabulary words obsession and carbonated. After students post their statements, provide time for them to read and enjoy one another’s ideas before moving on.
Students read short informational text about Texans who have made notable contributions in sports, food and drink, education, and media and entertainment. They complete a drag-and-drop activity to identify famous Texas athletes and another drag-and-drop task to match well-known Texans to their media or arts fields (such as journalism, literature, television, and movies), using online research as needed.
Teacher MovesClarify any unfamiliar names or fields, support students in using reliable online sources when they need to look up individuals, and discuss how these Texans represent different areas of achievement. Invite students to share additional famous Texans they know and briefly explain those individuals’ contributions.
Students read about Texas as a center of medical innovation, including the work of Dr. Michael DeBakey and several major Texas medical programs and facilities. They then respond in writing to a prompt explaining how medical innovations benefit individuals, society, and Texas businesses.
Teacher MovesHighlight key examples of medical innovation in Texas and connect them to broader benefits for health, the economy, and communities. Review student responses, share an exemplary or especially thoughtful answer with the class, and use it to guide a brief discussion about the impact of medical advances.
Students create a visual poster that expresses what it means to them personally to be a Texan, using drawing tools or uploading a digital or photographed poster.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to incorporate ideas from earlier scenes—such as famous Texans, innovations, and cultural identity—into their posters. Invite volunteers to present their posters to the class and facilitate a short discussion that connects students’ personal expressions to the broader story of Texas and its people.
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