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INVESTIGATING NOTABLE PEOPLE IN TEXAS HISTORY
During Semester 1, we studied the major changes that occurred in Texas as it became involved in
two revolutions and in a short period of time shifted from being a part of a Spanish colony, to part of a
Mexican state, to an independent country, and then to being an US state. The motivations and
desires for change were a driving part of these conflicts. You will investigate the people and study
more closely the roles they played the changes that occurred in Texas during this time.
An investigation is conducted through research by searching for and studying materials and sources
in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. In other words, you will start with a question
and then search for its answer. Once you know the answer, you will share your conclusions.
For this investigation, you will explore how individual people contributed to change in Texas by
answer the question:
How should ___ be remembered in Texas History?
TASK DESCRIPTON
You will additionally need to:
1. Narrow the research focus by selecting and researching a specific individual from the
settlement, revolution or Texas Republic era of history.
2. Find sources that will help you answer the question.
3. Answer the question by creating a virtual “museum display” for a “Texas Hall of Fame” exhibit.
The exhibit will require both visual and written portions to support your answer to the research
question.
4. Use and cite at least 2-3 reliable sources of information.
5. Write a reflection on the assignment.
GRADING
Points Percentag Points Percentag
e e
1 50% 5 80%
2 60% 6 90%
3 65% 7 95%
4 75% 8 100%
You will be graded not only on your final project submission, but also on the research portfolio you
create by completing the research process.
The final paper and the research process will be graded with MYP Rubrics B and C. Those rubrics
will give you a score from 0-8. This table shows how those numbers will be converted to a
percentage score:
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CALENDAR & DUE DATES
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
start
preliminary
preliminary
research due
research
Sources
Outline
Rough Draft
Everything
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PRELIMINARY RESEARCH & FOCUS YOUR TOPIC
Identify a historical figure from the unit’s time period that you may be interested in exploring further.
The people on the list below are pre-approved. If you would like to choose someone not on the list, it
must be approved by your teacher.
Select 2-3 people from the list above that you might be interested in researching further. You
will conduct some preliminary research to narrow your choice down even further.
□ Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla □ Juan Bautista de las Casas □ José Gutiérrez de Lara
□ Erasmo Seguín □ Moses Austin □ Stephen F. Austin
□ Martín De León □ Green DeWitt □ Jane Long
□ Mary Crownover Rabb □ Lorenzo de Zavala □ David G. Burnet
□ James Power & James Heweston □ Haden Edwards □ Manuel de Mier y Terán
□ Juan Davis Bradburn □ William B. Travis □ Patrick Jack
□ William B. Travis □ George Childress □ Antonio López de Santa Anna
□ James Fannin □ Sam Houston □ Valentín Gómez Farías
□ Martín Perfecto de Cós □ Ben Milam □ James Bowie
□ Arnold Hendrick □ James Grant □ Henry Smith
□ Frank Johnson □ David Crockett □ José Urrea
□ Susanna Dickinson □ Erastus “Deaf” Smith □ Francita Alvarez
□ José Antonio Navarro □ Thomas Rusk □ Chief Bowles
□ Juan N. Seguín □ Mirabeau B. Lamar □ Anson Jones
□ Edwin Moore □ Mary Maverick □ Felix Huston
PRELIMINARY RESERACH
Preliminary research is the information you search for and read through at the very beginning of the
research process. It involves finding and quickly reading through sources, rather than going into deep
analysis (that step comes later). Preliminary research is necessary because it helps you narrow down
your topic, figure out what you find interesting about the topic, and make sure that there’s enough
information out there on your topic for you to write a solid paper. (If finding enough information is
really hard, you probably need to change your topic.)
Conduct preliminary research for at least two individuals. Use the space below to write down
notes from your preliminary research. Write down at least three interesting things about each
person.
Name of Historical Figure: James Fannin
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1 Became an agitator(someone who tries to spark rebellion) for the Texas revolution in on August
20,1835
2. He was captain of the Brazos Guards that participated in the famous Battle of Gonzales.
[Link] led rebels in the massacre of Goliad in 1836. Though they were defeated, the army's fallen
lives inspired the Texans to fight in the darkest times.(he also died there).
Name of Historical Figure: Mirabeau B. Lamar
1. He went to war against the Cherroke and Comanche to push them out of Texas.
2. Became the first vice president and second president of Texas. During that time, he strengthened
the Texas education system.
3. While he was president he also started a bank and helped Texas get recognized by countries like
France.
Name of Historical Figure: Green DeWitt
[Link] DiWitt was an empresario recruited by Mexico and brought 400 families to a space in
Texas close to Gonzales from Missouri.
2. He founded the DeWitt colony in Texas
[Link] he died, his wife made a flag out of her daughters wedding dress which now is the famous
come and take it flag.
MY RESEARCH QUESTION
Now that you have done some preliminary research it is time to narrow down your topic and select
just one individual to continue to research and write about. In the spaces below finalize your research
question by inserting your final selection and explain your choice.
Write out your research question here:
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How should James Fannin be remembered in Texas History?
Form a thesis statement, your thesis should include 3 key reasons why your topic person is
important to Texas History.
James Fannin is a great leader in Texas history for many reasons. I know this because he was an
successful agitator for the Texas Revolution,was the captain of the brazos guard which took part of
the Battle of Gonzales and lastly died a hero as the leader of the army at the Goliad Massacre.
RESEARCH
Now you need to research information on your topic and analyze and evaluate your sources, so you
have good evidence for your paper! Answer the questions for each of the sources you select.
Here are some websites and databases that may be helpful sources of information that you can use.
The Handbook of Texas ([Link]
The Handbook of Texas is a digital state encyclopedia focused on the entire history of Texas. The
entries emphasize the role Texans played in state, national, and world history.
Britannica School (Access Through TexQuest)
Britannia School provides access to encyclopedia articles, multimedia, and primary sources.
Information can be access on different levels for K-12 students.
ProQuest Sirs Discoverer (Access Through TexQuest)
SIRS Discoverer is a database that includes full text to news, magazines, and websites for K-8
students on a larger range of topics.
Gale In Context: Middle School (Access Through TexQuest)
Gale is a database that gives access to academic articles, images, topics selections and more for
middle schoolers.
Use the forms below to record your research. At the top, write down the details about your chosen
source. Then, in the rows below, pick three important quotes or ideas from your source that help you
answer your research question (with page number where you found it). After, in your own words,
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explain what it means in at least two sentences, and explain how it will help you answer your
research question
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SOURCE #1 - QUOTES/IDEAS
Source Title:Fannin, James Walker. Author: Clinton p. Hartmann
Source Publication/Book/Website: Date of Publication:Updated: July 29, 2020
Full Web Address:
[Link]
Quote/Idea from Source Explain What the Quote/Idea Means Explain How the Quote/Idea Helps Answer
(Three sentences MAX. Use “” if it is a quote. (IN YOUR OWN WORDS!) Your Research Question
Note page numbers if the source has them.)
It means that though Fannin did make a lot This helps my third point which claims that
“But despite his reluctance to of mistakes as a commander that later Fannin died a hero, which this quote
became clear to him in his last few weeks supports as it says that Fannin bravely
carry on and his sometimes poor and his terrible judgement in the military, held out which is one of the best qualities a
he still held out bravery til the day he died “hero” could have.
military judgment, he held out which is what counts.
bravely until the end”
He wanted to get all the people in This proves my first point as that is what
Gonzalez's home safe and to do that urged an agitator does and being a agitator at
. “On October 6 he was one of a Austin to send supplies that time meant you were helping the war
which is what he wanted to do. This also
committee urging Stephen F. proves my second point as he helped a lot
in the battle of gonzales as an guard.
Austin to bring all possible aid to
Gonzales, and when Austin
brought up the whole Texas
army”
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SOURCE #2 - QUOTES/IDEAS
Source Title:New Georgia Encyclopidia Author:Beryl,Diamond
Source Publication/Book/Website: Date of Publication: March 3 2022
Full Web Address: "James Walker Fannin Jr." New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Mar 3, 2022.
[Link]
Quote/Idea from Source Explain What the Quote/Idea Means Explain How the Quote/Idea Helps Answer
(Three sentences MAX. Use “” if it is a quote. (IN YOUR OWN WORDS!) Your Research Question
Note page numbers if the source has them.)
Fannin had enough appeal and convincing This quote shows how much of a
“Fannin’s appeal for aid drew strong to him that 300 people from Georgia successful agitator as he was able to be to
attention. In Macon about thirty men wanted to step up to his army and were raise 3000 dollars and get 300 men from a
stepped forward to assist “our fellow able to raise 3000 dollars for their trip from whole different state is a big thing. That
countrymen of Texas,” and more than Texas. proves my first point of him being a
$3,000 was raised to defray the cost of the successful agitator for the war.
trip to Texas.”
Diamond, Beryl.
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Fannin was remembered enough to have a All his efforts in war and out paid of in the
“In 1854 Fannin County in north county named after his honor. [Link] supports my 3rd claim as getting
anything named after you is a big thing and
Georgia was named in his honor.” that truly tells that he was remembered as
a hero.
Fannin was apart of the volunteer army and Fannin volunteered to fight in the army
fought with the brazos guards at the Battle even though he was not from Texas. This
of Gonzales. quote proves my 2nd point as the quote
says he fought with the Brazos guard and
“As a member of the Texas volunteer army, that was y claim.
Captain Fannin fought alongside the
Brazos Guards in the first battle of the
revolution against Mexico, held at
Gonzales on October 2, 1835”
SOURCE #3 - QUOTES/IDEAS
Source Title:JAMES W. FANNIN JR.: A BIOGRAPHY Author:Michelle E. Herbelin
Source Publication/Book/Website:thesis Date of Publication:
Full Web Address: [Link]
Quote/Idea from Source Explain What the Quote/Idea Means Explain How the Quote/Idea Helps Answer
(Three sentences MAX. Use “” if it is a quote. (IN YOUR OWN WORDS!) Your Research Question
Note page numbers if the source has them.)
“J.W. Fannin Jr., as he signed himself, Fannin even though was not the best This proves my 3rd point as this quote
sought a place in this world and a way to colonel, he still did his best to make a mark showed how he did die in fact as a hero
leave a lasting mark. “ on the world and he in the end did in Texas.
This proves the general point that though
Fannin made a lot of mistakes, he still was
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able to make a mark on the world with the
help of houstons ca
Fannin’s military error was common to the Fannin’s errors were definitely bad but still
rash, younger commanders but he with Houstons caution they won the
concludes that “the rare combination of revolution.
their rashness and his [Houston’s] caution
won the revolution.”
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WRITE AND DESIGN YOUR MUSEUM EXHIBIT
You are going to create a museum exhibit panel for a new “Texas Hall of Fame” museum featuring
your historical figure to share the information and conclusions you reached with your research and
analysis. (Here are some examples of these displays from real museums.) Your visual product needs
to include the following items:
● A title
● A section highlighting important biographical details. Each person’s life is different, so there is
no specific required information, but typically should include birth/death information and major
life events that related to their connection to Texas history.
● Three paragraphs promoting the most important or significant contributions of your historic
person and their impact on Texas history. Each paragraph should:
o Highlight a different way that your figured should be remembered. (A claim)
o Include evidence or examples from your research to further elaborate and support your
claim.
o Explain why the given example importance or impact on Texas or history.
o Use MLA parenthetical references to note the sources of information used within the
paragraph.
● At least three images
● A work cited section listing sources of information used in your written presentation.
EXHIBIT OUTLINE
Use the sections below to make a rough draft of the text that will be displayed on your exhibit.
Biographical Information & Background:
James Fannin was born on January 1,1804 in Georgia to his father Isham Fannin. He was then
adopted by his maternal grandfather (James Walker) and raised at a plantation..At 15, he entered a
military academy in west point where he learned most of the
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Significant Contribution #1:
Claim:
How should you person be remembered? How did your person impact Texas history?
James Fannin should be remembered
Evidence or Examples:
What information from your research will further elaborate and support your claim?
Reasoning:
Why was this contribution important or significant in Texas history?
Significant Contribution #2:
Claim:
How should you person be remembered? How did your person impact Texas history?
Evidence or Examples:
What information from your research will further elaborate and support your claim?
Reasoning:
Why was this contribution important or significant in Texas history?
Name___________________________________________Date_______________Period_________
Significant Contribution #3:
Claim:
How should you person be remembered? How did your person impact Texas history?
Evidence or Examples:
What information from your research will further elaborate and support your claim?
Reasoning:
Why was this contribution important or significant in Texas history?
WORK CITED
Use the space below to write source citations in MLA format for any of the sources you used in your
draft: