Lesson Plan for Remember the Alamo
Eighth Grade
Objective: The learner will understand how the siege of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution
laid the groundwork for the United States-Mexican War. TEKS §113.24. Social Studies,
Grade 8. (b)(6)(D)
The learner will apply critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired
from a variety of sources, including electronic technology-based primary sources.
TEKS §113.24. Social Studies, Grade 8. (b)(30)(B)(C)(D)(F)
The learner will communicate in written and oral forms, incorporating main and
supporting ideas. TEKS §113.24. Social Studies, Grade 8. (b)(31)(A)(B)(C)(D)
Assumptions: Students will understand how westward expansion led to Texas
Independence.
Materials: Digital and printed material from: H. K. Yoakum, History of Texas: From its
first settlement in 1685 to its annexation to the United States in 1846, Vol.2; E.G.
Littlejohn, Texas Stories: The Alamo, Remember Goliad, Story of San Jacinto, No. 4;
E. G. Littlejohn, Texas Stories: Sam Houston and David Crockett, No.3;
Homer S. Thrall, A Pictorial History of Texas, From the Earliest Visits of European
Adventures, to AD 1879; Travis 24 February 1836 Letter to the People of Texas & All
Americans in the world; Santa Anna’s 16 March 1874 letter explaining why the Alamo
defenders had to be killed; Andrew Jackson Houston, Military Maps of the Texas
Revolution; and Anson Jones, Memoranda and Official Correspondence Relating to
the Republic of Texas.
Anticipatory Set: The instructor will display the maps from slides 1, 3 and 14 and ask the
learners if they would have volunteered to defend the Alamo against Santa Anna’s
army.
Instructional Input: Instructors and students discuss aspects of the siege of the Alamo
using various 19th century sources and the William B. Travis letter.
Assessment Activity: Complete the “Remember the Alamo” worksheet.
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