Lesson Plans and Resources for Teachers and Students

Reenactor demonstrating school activities at San Felipe de Austin

Learn about Texas history, historical sites and preservation, and other history-related content areas through these free, downloadable resources for K-12 students and teachers.

Subscribe to the "Teach Texas History" newsletter

Texas History by Era

Indigenous Texas
Mexican Texas & Empresarios
Texas Revolution
Republic of Texas
20th Century Texas

Cultural & Social History

African American History
Cattle & Ranching
Civics
Hispanic American History
Military History

Texas History by Era

This section organizes Texas history into key time periods, helping students understand how the region evolved from Indigenous societies to a modern state. Resources emphasize major events, cultural shifts, and influential figures that shaped Texas across different eras.

Copy Link
Explore the diverse cultures that existed in Texas long before European contact, including groups such as the Caddo. These resources highlight how Indigenous peoples adapted to their environments, developed complex societies, and experienced major changes with the arrival of European explorers.
- A Time Before Texas (TxDOT and Humanities Texas)
- Caddo Grass House Rebuilding Together
- Caddo Voices: A Basketry Revival (PBS)
- Koo Hoot Kiwat
- Natural Texas & Its People (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Texas & Tribes Activity Guide (TxDOT)
- Tribal Histories Project (TxDOT)
Copy Link
Learn about the colonization of Texas under Mexican rule and the role of empresarios like Stephen F. Austin in bringing settlers to the region. Materials focus on governance, cultural exchange, and the challenges of building communities in early Texas.
- Age of Contact Unit (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Best Laid Plat: San Felipe de Austin in Vision and Reality, 1823-1836 (GLO)
- Empresarios Wanted! (4^th) (Instructor Guide)
- Explorers, Gold & Glory!: European Exploration (4^th) (Instructor Guide)
- Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Library of Congress)
- Mexican National Unit (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Mexican Texas (Humanities Texas)
- Spain in Texas (Humanities Texas)
- Spanish Colonial Unit (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Texas Roots of Thanksgiving (Texas Time Travel)
- Transition to Mexico (Humanities Texas)
Copy Link
Follow the growing tensions between Texian settlers and the Mexican government that led to war and independence. These resources examine key events, causes of conflict, and the people who shaped the fight for Texas independence.
- Alamo Simulation (Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
- Goliad: Virtual Field Trip (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Heroes of the Revolution (4^th) (Instructor Guide)
- Independence! A Lone Star Rises
- Tejano Heroes of the Texas Revolution (American Battlefield Trust)
- Texas Revolution (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
Copy Link
Discover the opportunities and challenges of Texas as an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. Lessons explore political leadership, economic struggles, and efforts to establish stability before joining the United States.
- Civil War (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Early Statehood (Texas History for Teachers)(7^th)
- Honor and Destiny Embraced: The Story of Sam Houston (Sam Houston Memorial Museum)
- Reconstruction (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Republic of Texas (Texas History for Teachers)(7^th)
- Save Texas History Essay Contest (GLO)
- Tending the Soil Sun-up to Sun-down: Life as a Texas Sharecropper (Institute of Texan Cultures)
- Texas in the Civil War (American Battlefield Trust)
- The Battle of San Jacinto (GLO)
Copy Link
Examine how Texas evolved into a modern state through industrial growth, war efforts, and social change. Topics include economic expansion, innovation, and Texas’ role on the national and global stage.
- Age of Oil (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Boom Time: Oil, Inventions, & Industry (4^th) (Instructor Guide)
- Civil Rights (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Contemporary Texas (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Election Day (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
- Galveston Flood of 1900 (Library of Congress)
- Holocaust Remembrance Week (Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission)
- Notable 20th Century Texans (4th and 7th) (Texas Archive of the Moving Image)
- Presidents Day in Texas: Remember Success, Tragedy, and Leadership of U.S. Presidents at These Historic Places (Texas Time Travel)
- Texas History Trading Cards (Resources 4 Educators)
- Texas Connections (Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission)
- The Great Depression (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Timeline of Voting & Elections in Texas (League of Women Voters of Texas)

Cultural & Social History

These resources explore the diverse people and cultural traditions that have shaped Texas over time. Students examine how different communities contributed to the state’s identity and how social, economic, and cultural experiences influenced daily life.

Copy Link
Explore the experiences, contributions, and struggles of African Americans in Texas history. Resources highlight themes such as slavery, emancipation, civil rights, and cultural influence across different time periods.
- African American Heritage (Texas Time Travel)
- African American History in Texas: A Lasting Legacy
- African Americans in Texas
- Buffalo Soldiers Living History Programs (Texas Parks and Wildlife)
- From Slavery to Juneteenth: Emancipation and Ending Enslavement (Docs Teach)
- Heroes of History: Black Heritage in Texas
- Juneteenth General Order (Docs Teach)
- Revisit 3 Significant Moments When Martin Luther King Jr. Came to Texas (Texas Highways)
- Struggle and Success: Handbook of African American Texas (Texas State Historical Association)
- The Union Army and Juneteenth, 1865 Unit (Middle School and High School) (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
Copy Link
Discover how the cattle industry helped shape Texas’ economy and culture. Lessons explore ranch life, cattle drives, and the development of industries that contributed to the state’s growth and identity.
- Cotton, Cattle, & Railroads (Texas History for Teachers) (7^th)
- Cows, Trains & Consequences (4^th) (Instructor Guide)
- Exploring the Quanah Parker Trail
- Longhorn Activity Book (Texas Farm Bureau)
- Quanah Parker: The Last Chief of the Quahada Comanche Indians (Texas State Historical Association)
- Ranch Life Learning (National Ranching Heritage Center)
- The American Buffalo (PBS)
- The Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd at Fort Griffin
- The Story of Charles Goodnight (The Bryan Museum)
Copy Link
From interactive challenges and Constitution Day materials to engaging videos and educator guides, explore resources that bring government and citizenship to life in your classroom. These tools inspire active learning and make it easy to connect students with the ideas and events that shape our democracy.
- Civics Resources (Civic Learning Week)
- Civic Star Challenge (iCivics)
- Civics Education (iCivics)
- Constitution Day Teacher Resources (Library of Congress)
- CW Kids (Colonial Williamsburg)
- Educator Hub (Bill of Rights Institute)
- Educator’s Guide (Eisenhower Foundation)
- Observing Constitution Day (National Archives)
- Timeline of Voting and Elections in Texas (League of Women Voters of Texas)
Copy Link
Explore the experiences, contributions, and struggles of Hispanic Americans in Texas history. Resources highlight themes such as Spanish Texas, Tejanos, empresarios, and cultural influence across different time periods.
- Celebrating Mexican American Heritage: Exploring Culture, Contributions, and Identity (4^th) (Latinos in Heritage Conservation)
- Find the Roots of Cinco de Mayo in the Story of Ignacio Zaragoza (Texas Highways)
- General Zaragoza State Historic Site: Commemorating a Mexican Hero (Texas State Historical Association)
- Mexican Texas (Humanities Texas)
- Mexican Texas (Texas State Historical Association)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
- Preserving Our Past: Understanding the Significance of Historic Preservation Champions of Heritage: Advocating for Historic Preservation (2^nd) (Latinos in Heritage Conservation)
- Spain in Texas (Humanities Texas)
- Spanish Texas (Texas State Historical Association)
- Texas Originals: José Antonio Navarro (Humanities Texas)
- The Story of Casa Navarro and Antonio Navarro (The Bryan Museum)
- Transition to Mexico (Humanities Texas)
- Who Are Latinos? (PBS)
Copy Link
Investigate Texas’ role in military conflicts from early frontier defense to global wars. Materials connect historic sites, events, and individuals to broader national and international history.
- A Centennial Perspective on Texas in the Great War
- History of Veterans Day (Department of Veteran Affairs)
- Holocaust Remembrance Week (Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission)
- Texas Connections (Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission)
- The National Museum of the Pacific War Learning Resource Library
- The National Museum of the Pacific War Webinars
- World War II (7^th) (Texas History for Teachers)
- World War II on the Texas Home Front (YouTube)

Places & Landmarks

Explore the physical locations that preserve Texas history, from historic sites to commemorative markers. These resources connect students to real places and encourage exploration of history through both in-person and virtual experiences.

Lesson Plans by Grade Level

This section provides grade-level appropriate lesson plans aligned with Texas standards (TEKS). Materials are designed to support teachers in delivering engaging, structured instruction tailored to different learning stages.

Copy Link
Introduce younger students to Texas history with age-appropriate lessons focused on basic concepts, important figures, and foundational events aligned with curriculum standards.

Teacher Resources

Access curated online resources, organizations, and tools to support social studies instruction. These links help teachers expand lessons and connect students to reliable historical content.