Teach Texas History: May 2025

Texas Historical Commission sent this bulletin at 05/06/2025 10:35 AM CDT

May 6, 2025

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week—thank you for all you do to educate young Texans!

Have students place these documents in chronological order, from the ratification of the Constitution through the Juneteenth order.
2026 will mark America's 250th anniversary. As we look ahead to the semiquincentennial, have your students share a brief birthday wish.
Texas Originals is a series two-minute audio recordings about over 150 notable Texans like José Antonio Navarro, Charles Goodnight, James Fannin, Sam Rayburn, and Stephen F. Austin.

Consider these discussion questions for elementary and middle/high school students while examining this print of Reading the Emancipation Proclamation.
Analyze General Order 3 from General Granger, which informed the people of Texas that "all slaves are free."
As the school year winds down, check out these resources on teaching World War II, Civil Rights, and Contemporary Texas.

This lesson plan with archival videos is a useful resource for teaching about notable 20th century Texans.
History Now, which offers the latest in historical scholarship for K-12 teachers, is now available for free to everyone. Articles about Texas history include The Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail, Jovita Idár, and The Galveston Storm of 1900.
This PBS special shares how a group of modern Caddo are working to restore and revitalize their cultural traditions.

Leading up to Juneteenth, visit our State Historic Sites for programs like Before Freedom Came at Barrington Living History Farm, Stories of the Enslaved at San Felipe de Austin, and Art and Oral History at Levi Jordan Plantation.
Juneteenth to July 4 is Civic Season, a nationwide effort to engage young people with history. In addition to events happening nationwide, check out these resources for educators.
The Star of the Republic Museum is currently closed for extensive renovations, but you can still take a virtual tour of the previous exhibits and listen to their podcast.

Texas's historical markers tell our state's history, including important events like Juneteenth and Asian American heritage in Texas.
Spring is a busy time at our State Historic Sites. See what they're up to on social media.
Thinking about an end-of-year field trip or a summer school excursion to a State Historic Sites? Click on "Plan Your Visit" on any site page to see their school tour offerings.