For Fri, 2/29
1. Read carefully Chapter 11 on the Runaway Scrape and the Battle of San Jacinto. As you read, mentally compare the map-based narrative you wrote in class with the description of the battle in the textbook. How accurate is your version? What details does the textbook add?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
For Wed, 2/27,08
1. Read to the halfway point of p. 136 in the article, "Refighting the Alamo: Mythmaking and the Texas Revolution." The last words you need to read are "did not directly cause the Texas revolt in 1836."
2. Write at least 5 questions we could discuss in class on Wednesday. The questions might be about things you didn't understand or perhaps something you found interesting and would like to discuss. Notice particularly how the story of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution has been used to shape Americans' attitudes towards Mexico and Mexicans.
1. Read to the halfway point of p. 136 in the article, "Refighting the Alamo: Mythmaking and the Texas Revolution." The last words you need to read are "did not directly cause the Texas revolt in 1836."
2. Write at least 5 questions we could discuss in class on Wednesday. The questions might be about things you didn't understand or perhaps something you found interesting and would like to discuss. Notice particularly how the story of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution has been used to shape Americans' attitudes towards Mexico and Mexicans.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hello, General
For Wednesday, 2/20/08 Pretend you are the commanding general of the Mexican army at the siege of the Alamo, February 23-March 6, 1836. Approximately 150 Texans are defending the mission-turned-fort. (It "might" grow to 180-200 by the time of the final assault.)You have been handed the diagram given you in class today. How will you carry out the siege and attack on the mission-turned-fortress? Write your battle plans and orders directly onto the handout, including the following.
***Wearing the Texans down prior to the final assault
***Artillery fire (cannon, etc.)
***Preventing messengers, reinforcements, supplies, etc. from leaving or arriving
***Probing assaults to feel out the enemy
***The final assault: Where is the fort the most vulnerable? How will you divide up your troops? Where will each unit attack and to what purpose?
***Anything else you need to consider and do
Here are links to more diagrams, drawings, etc., that might help you with your plans.
http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~hyde/SanAntonio/images.html - The second, third, and fourth drawings are particularly helpful. One of them is the previous url.
http://members.cox.net/worthingtongames/images/FinalAlamoMap.jpg - Once you get there, click to enlarge. (It might be enlarged once you get there. Hard to say, really. :-) )
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/mcardle/paintings/alamo.html - Click to enlarge.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Computer Lab, Mon, 2/4/08 - First Semester Folder
1. Click the "Preliminary Table of Contents - Semester 1" on the upper left-hand side of this page.
2. Use the Preliminary Table of Contents to put your papers for the class in order.
3. After you have gotten all your papers in order, ask me know about any papers you have that I've left off the Preliminary Table of Contents. Extra Credit will be given for any papers I intended to include but left out.
Instructions for First Semester Folder (Yes, it also includes the first two weeks of the Second Semester.)
1. Folder will be due Friday, 2/8/08
2. It will count as four (4) daily grades.
3. You will place your papers in order in an expandable folder like the one shown you in class.
4. You will put a Title Page in the front of the folder. I will show you in class what to include on the Title Page. You may appropriately decorate the Title Page for Extra Credit.
5. A Table of Contents will be given you showing Sections for the folder. I will type up the Table of Contents after we finish Computer Lab today and give it to you in class.
6. You will have a Section Page for each section. You may appropriately decorate each Section Page for Extra Credit.
7. You will neatly fasten the papers for each section in order.
8. Have the folder ready to turn in when you arrive in class on Friday.
In case you are wondering--and I might have mentioned this earlier in the year--here are reasons for doing the folder project.
1. It helps you improve organizational skills.
2. It documents your work in the course. Keeping your papers lets you correct mistakes I might make in recording grades. (It's never happened before, but, hey, there's always a first time. And if you believe that last sentence, I've got a Bridge to Nowhere I'd like to sell you.)
3. It serves as a review of what we have studied and done in the class.
4. From time to time we refer back to papers we used earlier.
5. It provides a useful collection of information on Texas and American history.
6. It indicates I place value on the work we do in this class. We are learning important facts and concepts.
7. Students have told me the finished project at the end of the year makes an excellent paperweight, doorstop, or weapon.
2. Use the Preliminary Table of Contents to put your papers for the class in order.
3. After you have gotten all your papers in order, ask me know about any papers you have that I've left off the Preliminary Table of Contents. Extra Credit will be given for any papers I intended to include but left out.
Instructions for First Semester Folder (Yes, it also includes the first two weeks of the Second Semester.)
1. Folder will be due Friday, 2/8/08
2. It will count as four (4) daily grades.
3. You will place your papers in order in an expandable folder like the one shown you in class.
4. You will put a Title Page in the front of the folder. I will show you in class what to include on the Title Page. You may appropriately decorate the Title Page for Extra Credit.
5. A Table of Contents will be given you showing Sections for the folder. I will type up the Table of Contents after we finish Computer Lab today and give it to you in class.
6. You will have a Section Page for each section. You may appropriately decorate each Section Page for Extra Credit.
7. You will neatly fasten the papers for each section in order.
8. Have the folder ready to turn in when you arrive in class on Friday.
In case you are wondering--and I might have mentioned this earlier in the year--here are reasons for doing the folder project.
1. It helps you improve organizational skills.
2. It documents your work in the course. Keeping your papers lets you correct mistakes I might make in recording grades. (It's never happened before, but, hey, there's always a first time. And if you believe that last sentence, I've got a Bridge to Nowhere I'd like to sell you.)
3. It serves as a review of what we have studied and done in the class.
4. From time to time we refer back to papers we used earlier.
5. It provides a useful collection of information on Texas and American history.
6. It indicates I place value on the work we do in this class. We are learning important facts and concepts.
7. Students have told me the finished project at the end of the year makes an excellent paperweight, doorstop, or weapon.