Proposed Items for Social Studies Textbooks

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Back in 2009 the State Board of Education (SBOE) in Texas tried to cut Darwinian evolution from state textbooks. These new social studies books will be voted on in November by the SBOE. The Houston Press has compiled a list of 10 crazy things they are proposing to include in the textbooks. The full list is located here . Here is some of the crazy things being considered from that list:

"6. Nothing good has happened in society since 1927.
4. The Native Americans hung out with the Pilgrims and the whole things turned out just fine for Squanto and his buddies.
2. The whole segregation thing wasn't that big of a deal"

I can't even begin to say how ridiculous some of these are. Read the article and make your own conclusions. 


**I did not write the list, it's from the Houston Press.**

Alamo-San Antonio, TX

If you know anything about Texas then I'm sure this is one thing you definitely know. This is the Alamo. I'm pretty sure as a Texan we are taught about this place from birth or maybe even while still in the womb. 

You first learn that this is where Texas fought for independence from Mexico. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is bad, Davy Crockett and his coonskin cap, and that we lost. Once you get older though you learn the whole back story in Texas history classes. 

The Alamo was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero and was a Roman Catholic mission and fortress. It went from Spanish control to Mexican control. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain and there was much fighting and chaos in Mexico City as liberals and conservatives struggled with power. Most Texas settlers approved of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which gave many freedoms to states. Texas was part of the sparsely populated State of Coahuila y Texas. Later the government rescinded this constitution and settlers wanted to split from Coahuila and form their own state Texas. Tensions were high and in October 1835 the first shots were fired of the Texas Revolution. 

(I'm really trying to give you a short version of the history here... I don't want to write a book.)

At the Alamo there was 200 defenders among those are William B. Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Santa Anna, General and 11 time President of Mexico, arrived with nearly 2,000 men.  The defenders lasted for 13 days but they were finally defeated on March 6, 1836. Texans would win their independence at San Jacinto. 

I've been to the Alamo numerous times. I still love going, but the last time I was in San Antonio I didn't wait in line to go inside. I just walked around outside, that's why I only have this one photo. It's a great place to go see but be prepared for groups of people. Millions of people visit this place each year. Admission is FREE and they gladly accept donations to maintain the site. 

San Jacinto Museum of History- La Porte, Texas

This is the San Jacinto Museum of History located in La Porte, Texas. Texas won their independence from Mexico here on April 21, 1836. Unless your parents take you to visit the Monument (that's another name for it too) your first experience is probably on a school field trip in 4th grade when you learn all about Texas History.

However, if you're like me you've been here a thousand times maybe even more. You see, my Mom and family friend have worked out here for the last decade and I myself have worked out here off and on. 

If you know nothing about Texas history, then walking through the main exhibit gallery will give you a basic understanding and to do that it is, FREE! The gallery use to house more of the permanent exhibit that the museum has in archives, but they have different Special Exhibits right now which you have to pay to see. 

On the hour, they show a 35 minute presentation on the Texas Revolution which gives you a more in depth understanding. The film is narrated by Charles Heston and it will cost you money. 

You can also take a ride to the observation level 489 ft above. You can see the Houston Ship Channel, Downtown Houston, and the surrounding marshlands. It's really a nice view.

It's a great place to go, but I've just been there way to much recently. One thing you don't want to miss is the yearly reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto. They do it on the actual day or the closet weekend to that date and it is a whole day festival and event. It's free to get into the park, but museum fees still apply.