Spanish Explorers
in Texas

Mary Andrews
Sherrie Moore

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

In the 16th century one of the greatest adventures a person could have would be to join an expedition to the New World.  Expeditions would encounter new kinds of animals and plants, beautiful landscapes, interesting native peoples, and if they were lucky, fame and fortune.  You are about to embark on such a journey.

The Task
You are a soldier on a New World expedition led by a famous Spanish explorer.  The expedition has opened your eyes to so many new and interesting adventures, you have decided to keep a journal while on this dangerous and exciting journey.

Resources

Use these links to help you find information for your journal and map.

http://www.historychannel.com/index.html

http://www.lsjunction.com

http://encarta.msn.com/default.asp

http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/index.htm

http://www.lsjunction.com/places/indians.htm

http://www.rice.edu/armadillo/Past/Teach/les5.html

The Process

1. Use your Social Studies book to help you choose which explorer's expedition you would
    like to be with.

2. Use the links to research your explorer and his journey through Texas.

3. Choose a date to begin your journal.  Your journal will describe five or more days.  It
    will include facts as well as your feelings about the journey.  After editing, write your
    final journal entries on plain white copy paper in black ink.

    Day 1 - Describe the region of Texas you are passing through as well as the day's events.
    Day 2 - Describe the explorer leading your expedition.  Where is he from?  How old is he?
                What kind of leader is he?  What is he looking for?  You should also describe the
                day's events.
    Day 3 - Describe the animals you see on the journey.  What do they look like?  Describe
                their habitats?  Are they dangerous?  Are they part of the expedition's food supply?
                Don't forget to describe the day's events.
    Day 4 - Describe the Native Texans the expedition encounters on the journey.  What is the
                name of their tribe?  How are they dressed?  What do their houses look like?  Are
                they hostile or peaceful?  What do they eat?  How does your explorer treat them?
                Describe the day's events, too.
    Day 5 - Describe the hardships of the expedition so far.  Include the feelings of yourself and
                your fellow soldiers.  Is there enough food?  Are many people sick?  Is it too cold or
                too hot?  Is there enough water?  Is your explorer too demanding? Are you in
                constant danger or do you feel safe?  What is the mood of the people on the
                expedition?  Finally, describe the day's events.

4. Get an outline map of Texas from your teacher.  Draw the route your expedition took while
    you were in Texas.  Be sure to include arrows that show the direction your expedition took.
    Label the area where you encountered the native tribe.

5. Antique your journal pages and map with tea by following your teacher's instructions.
 

Evaluation

Spanish Expedition Journal Rubric

Score Point 3
· My journal is fairly well developed and I have enough information to inform
  the reader about the topic. The information is clearly presented with some
  elaboration.
· There are some specific details that adequately explain the topic but some
  of the details may not really help explain.
· I have an organization and I try to stick to it.
· I wrote for the intended audience.
· I use language choices to maintain a style or a tone.
· My map is mostly complete, neat, labeled and accurate.

Score Point 2
· My paper has little development and a minimum amount of information. The
  information does not clearly explain the topic and some of it might even
  interfere with my explanation.
· I used details but they may be the wrong details or they may not help to explain
  the topic.
· I wrote for the intended audience.
· I did not really make any language choices to help with style or tone.
· My map is missing some information, fairly neat and almost accurate.

Score Point 1
· I saw the prompt and I tried to write a response. I wrote very little and what
  I wrote is confusing or inaccurate.
· If I have details they are not enough to explain the topic.
· If I do have an organization it is not clear or I stray far from it.
· I may not address the intended audience.
· I did not use any language choices to help with style or tone.
· My map is incomplete, messy, unlabeled and inaccurate.

Conclusion
Now that you have completed your journal, you have some idea of the adventures the explorers encountered.  Do you think the other Spanish explorers had similar experiences in Texas?