Students in Grade 7 study the history of Texas from early times to the present. Students examine the full scope of Texas history, including the cultures of Native Americans living in Texas prior to European exploration and the eras of mission-building, colonization, revolution, republic, and statehood, Civil War, and Reconstruction. The focus in each era is on key individuals, events, and issues and their impact on Texas geography and the distribution of population within and among the regions. Included in this are the factors that caused Texas to change from an agrarian to an urban society. Students describe the structure and functions of municipal, county, and state governments, explain the influence of the U.S. Constitution on the Texas Constitution, and examine the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens. As the students identify the different racial and ethnic groups that settle in Texas to build a republic and then a state, primary and secondary sources provide a rich and diverse cultural background of Texas. The use of scientific discoveries and technology are analyzed to understand the impact on Texas.
Return to Social Studies