Students brainstorm examples of turning points in their personal lives. Then they watch a video and read about the Battle of San Jacinto. Next they view a map of the Republic of Texas borders and explain why the Battle of San Jacinto was important. Finally they learn about the two commanders—Sam Houston and Santa Anna—and summarize their contributions to the Texas Revolution.
Students read background information about the setbacks Texans faced before the Battle of San Jacinto and are introduced to the idea of a “turning point.” They consider examples such as mobile devices as a turning point in communication, then complete a table by identifying a personal turning point and briefly describing their life before and after that event.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview and objectives, preview key vocabulary, and, if helpful, model a sample turning point (such as the birth of a sibling) by filling in the first row of the table with the class. Invite several students to share their examples and prompt them to predict how the Battle of San Jacinto might have been a turning point in Texas history before moving on.
Students watch San Jacinto Battle: The Last Fight for Texas Independence and read a narrative account describing how Sam Houston prepared his army, how Santa Anna’s overconfidence and lack of guards during the siesta allowed a surprise attack, and how the Texans quickly won the battle and captured Santa Anna in disguise. They then answer multiple-choice questions to check their understanding of Houston’s tactics, Santa Anna’s mistakes, and what happened to both leaders during and after the battle.
Teacher MovesHighlight and summarize key facts about the Battle of San Jacinto, including the surprise attack, the short duration of the battle, the casualty differences, Houston’s injury, and Santa Anna’s capture. Direct students’ attention back to the painting of The Surrender of Santa Anna to connect visual details to the narrative, and invite students who have visited the San Jacinto Monument to share their impressions of being at the historic site.
Students examine a map showing the recognized territory of the Republic of Texas and the disputed area claimed by both Texas and Mexico. They read about the peace treaty that followed the Battle of San Jacinto, Mexico’s withdrawal of troops, ongoing border disputes, and the eventual resolution once Texas became a U.S. state. Students then post responses explaining why the Battle of San Jacinto was important for the Republic of Texas.
Teacher MovesClarify that the Battle of San Jacinto ended the Texas Revolution and led to peace treaties that secured Texas independence as the Republic of Texas. Use student responses to reinforce the connection between the battle, the treaty, and the political and territorial changes that followed.
Students read biographical information about Sam Houston and Antonio López de Santa Anna, focusing on their backgrounds, leadership roles, and actions during the Texas Revolution, including Houston’s military and political experience and Santa Anna’s determination to control Texas and his harsh tactics. Using a graphic organizer, they create a chart summarizing each general’s contributions to the Texas Revolution.
Teacher MovesGuide students in identifying and comparing the contributions of Sam Houston and Santa Anna, using the organizer prompts as needed. Introduce and explain the term “underdog,” and lead a discussion about how underdog Sam Houston overcame the Texas Army’s disadvantages and took advantage of Santa Anna’s overconfidence to win the decisive battle.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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