Social Studies – Unit Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Grade: 8th
Unit Length (Number of class periods):
One Week
Course: American History
Topic: Contributions of African Americans
Required Technology: Computer Lab or Cows for first 2 days to gather information
Concept:
 Culture
 Freedom
 Equality
Unit Understandings:
Many different people settled and helped Texas and the Austin
area become what it is today. African Americans are one of the
groups that came to Texas and forever changed the history of
our state. Some African Americans came to Texas as free men
and women, while others were brought here as slaves, but all
have had a profound legacy on the culture and fabric of the
community of Austin.
Austin Independent School District
Overarching Question:
 How did the struggle for freedom and equality among Freedman
and slaves lead to the development of a rich culture and tradition
in the Austin area?
Unit Questions(s):
 How have African Americans contributed to Austin?
 What are the major challenges that faced freedman and slaves in
Texas?
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006
Social Studies – Unit Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
TEKS/TAKS:
8.7B: Compare the effects of political, economic, and social factors on slaves and free blacks.
8.7C: Analyze the impact of slavery on different sections of the United States.
8.9C: Explain the social problems that faced the South during Reconstruction and evaluate their impact on different groups.
8.11C: Analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major historical and contemporary events in the United States.
8.24A: Identify selected racial, ethnic, and religious groups that settled in the United States and their reasons for immigration.
8.24D: Analyze the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to our national identity.
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006
Social Studies – Unit Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Materials:
map of Austin, paper for brochures or posters, computers, markers and colored pencils
From the DVD:
1) Sweetbrush (West) More stories: Slavery in Austin
2) Stanley Store (South) Slides 1,2,3
3) Masontown (East) Slides 1,2,3,4
4) Clarksville (Central) All information
5) St. John’s (North) More Stories: Jacob Fontaine
Preview:
Ask students the following questions as an introduction to this unit:
 Ever wonder why parts of Austin have different demographics?
 Why do neighborhoods have certain characteristics?
 Where did that come from?
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006
Social Studies – Unit Activity Planner: Austin Past and Present
Austin Independent School District
Student activities that support the TEKS/TAKS :
Students will create a driving tour of Austin that guides visitors throughout the city to important historical sites that illustrate the important
contributions of African Americans. Students will focus on the people, traditions, customs, and lasting impact of these people in Texas. Your
Car Tour can be in the form of a brochure, poster, or booklet.
Requirements for the Car Tour of Austin:
1) A brief overview of the history of African Americans in the Austin Area
2) A description of what the visitors will see at each site they visit
3) Visuals that personalize each site
4) A map of Austin that shows the location of the different sites around town. Be sure and include what order you think the
visitors should see the sites!
5) A conclusion that illustrates the important contributions and lasting history left by the African American settlers in Texas
Assessment(s):
Rubric: Teacher created
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Curriculum Department
June, 2006