In Tune, In Texas
Ballad of the Alamo | Goliad
Lesson Links
Brian Burns
This unit covers the Texas Revolution. Early conflicts between the Anglo settlers and the Mexican government will be analyzed and the chronicle of events leading to the Declaration of Independence from Mexico. Key battles and individuals who added to the rich fabric of Texas during this era will be studied. (Community of Learners, CFB-ISD)
Lesson: The Alamo (Celebrating Texas: Chapter
10)
Song: Ballad of the Alamo
(Dimitri Tiompkin & P.F. Webster)
Artist: Brian Burns
CD Title: The Eagle and the Snake: Songs of the Texians
TEKS
Social Studies
(7.3). History. The student understands how individuals, events, and issues related to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas.
(A.) explain the roles played by significant individuals during the Texas Revolution, including George Childress, Lorenzo de Zavala, James Fannin, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna, and William B. Travis; and
(B.) explain the issues surrounding significant events of the Texas Revolution, including the battle of Gonzales, the siege of the Alamo, the convention of 1836, Fannin's surrender at Goliad, and the battle of San Jacinto.
Language Arts
(7.12). Reading/text structures/literary concepts. The student analyzes the characteristics of various types of texts (genres).
(F). analyze characters, including their traits, motivations, conflicts, points of view, relationships, and changes they undergo (4-8);
(7.15). Writing/purposes. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in a variety of forms.
(C.) write to inform such as to explain, describe, report, and narrate (4-8);Materials:
- The Ballad of the Alamo song and lyrics (See Brian Burns web page for lyrics.)
- The Ballad of the Alamo Lyric Analysis
- Travis's letter (See Celebrating Texas page 217.)
Procedures:
- Read and discuss Travis's letter from the Alamo.
- Listen to The Ballad of the Alamo.
- Allow students time to read the lyrics.
- Assign partners or small groups to discuss evidence of William B. Travis's character based on his letter and the song lyrics.
- Direct students to use a graphic organizer or a Thinking Map (Circle Map) to show his character traits.
- Assign students to respond to the following writing prompt:
Lt Col William B. Travis commanded under 200 men against Santa Anna's army of thousands. Describe Travis as a leader. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the text of his letter and lyrics from Ballad of the Alamo.
Lesson: Goliad (Celebrating Texas: Chapter 10)
Song: Goliad
Artist: Brian Burns
CD Title: The Eagle and the Snake: Songs of the Texians
TEKS
Social Studies
(7.3). History. The student understands how individuals, events, and issues related to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas.
(A.) explain the roles played by significant individuals during the Texas Revolution, including George Childress, Lorenzo de Zavala, James Fannin, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna, and William B. Travis; and
(B.) explain the issues surrounding significant events of the Texas Revolution, including the battle of Gonzales, the siege of the Alamo, the convention of 1836, Fannin's surrender at Goliad, and the battle of San Jacinto.
Language Arts
(7.12). Reading/text structures/literary concepts. The student analyzes the characteristics of various types of texts (genres).
(K.) recognize how style, tone, and mood contribute to the effect of the text (6-8).
(7.15). Writing/purposes. The student writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and in a variety of forms.
(A.) write to express, discover, record, develop, reflect on ideas, and to problem solve (4-8);Materials:
- Goliad song and lyrics (See Brian Burns web page for lyrics.)
Procedures:
- Listen to Goliad.
- Discuss mood.
- Allow students time to read the lyrics.
- Direct students to reflect on the following line from the song: "So let us send out our hearts to our brothers in arms, and the choices that they never had." What are the "choices they never had?"
- Direct students to reflect on the following line from the son: "We are blessed in the bounty of Texas tonight, let us drink to those who marched that road to Goliad." Why does Mr. Burns believe "we are blessed?"
- Assign students to respond to the following writing prompt:
The Daughters of the Texas Revolution has recently commissioned the creation of a new monument honoring the Texas soldiers who died at Goliad. You have been selected to write the speech to be given at the monument's dedication. As an additional honor, the final words of your speech are to be engraved on the entrance to the memorial.