TEKS 4.3D
describe the successes, problems, and organizations of the
Republic of Texas such as the establishment of a constitution,
economic struggles, relations with American Indians, and the Texas
Rangers.
Social Studies Objective: We can describe the successes and problems of the Texas Rangers.
Proof: We can prove we met our objective by making one comment about the Texas Rangers.
Materials:
You can click here to make your own copy of the class template.
Lesson:
Use the power point to provide an overview of the Rangers. I try to talk about both the successes and problems as we go along.
Problems: no supplies/low pay (Texas did not have money), although Native Americans and Texans from various countries (Ireland, Mexico, Germany) were members of the Texas Rangers, women and African American were excluded for decades. Other problems included lack of adequate weapons in early battles with Native Americans.
Successes: helped improve weapons with the help of Samuel Colt, began to be known as an elite force, which they are still known as today
After the overview, I ask students to talk with their partners about what they learned. I then ask each student to tell one thing they learned (success or problem).
As an extension activity, I use load the class template in Google Classroom. Kids can use the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame website to research a Texas Ranger and add a slide to the class project. The link to the Hall of Fame page is in the power point. Don’t use the main page because it is too difficult to navigate for them.
Teacher Resources: If you are interested in this topic personally, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame website has numerous resources, including videos.
I also want to point out that the Texas Rangers that the organization has had many other problems besides the ones I pointed out here (as well as successes). I just don’t feel like that is the intent behind the TEKS for fourth grade since it seems to be directed mainly at the Republic of Texas time period. If you are interested in knowing more yourself or just want to know more to provide your students with a broader knowledge base, here are a few good places to start:
https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/life-and-death-on-the-border-1910-1920
https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/campfire-stories/texas-ranger
Teaching Without Twitching 