Museum of the Coastal Bend > Educational Programs

SETTLEMENTS ALONG THE COASTAL BEND

Students will locate various early settlements along the Gulf of Mexico.

Objectives (TEKS): 4.8 Geography The student understands the location and patterns of settlement and the geographic factors that influence where people live. 4.11 Economics The student understands the reasons for exploration and colonization. 7.8 Geography The student uses geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. HS History The student will analyze the ways migration and immigration affect US demographic patterns. HS World History The student will locate places and regions of historical significance; analyze the effects of physical and human geographic factors on major historical events. HS Geography The student will prepare a map of political entities; interpret the distribution of political power.

Materials: Copy of map (Settlements along the Gulf of Mexico) for each student, coloring pencils

Background: Several cultures lived around the Gulf of Mexico in the 1720s as European countries were establishing colonies on land occupied by Native Americans.

Student Activity: Students will note symbols for various cultures along the Gulf Coast in the 1700s: Native American (arrowhead), French (fleur de lis), Spanish (castle). Students will color each designated region: Native American (green), French (blue) and Spain (red). Students will discuss why the settlements were located where they were.

Student Product: Map (Settlements along the Gulf of Mexico) with designated regions to represent settlements of various cultures in the 1700s.

Closure: Display maps on bulletin board. Discuss what happened to the various cultural groups. What cultures are still in the region today?

Assessment/Evaluation: Map of Gulf of Mexico in the 1720s.

Extension: Cartographic Connections: Improving Teaching through the Use of Historic Maps http://www.libraries.uta.edu/ccon/

• FOUND: A CLUE TO THE PAST (PDF)
• VIP (very important people): PAST AND PRESENT (PDF)
• SETTLEMENTS ALONG THE COASTAL BEND (PDF)
• A LINE ABOUT TIME (PDF)
• SCAVENGER HUNT (PDF)
• ARCHEOLOGISTS UNCOVER STRATA (PDF)
• RESOURCES FOR TEACHING & LEARNING MORE (PDF)