Learn about President Sam Houston's Colonization of Texas with Commissioner Bush
TEKS - 2.A, 3, 3.A, 3.B, 3.C, 6.A, 4.A, 5.G
Explore the making of Texas with Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush as students join him on a journey serving as an advisor to the newly formed Republic of Texas President Sam Houston. President Houston has asked that his advisors identify opportunities that might benefit Texas and its citizens, and also identify pitfalls or things that might be harmful to Texas and its citizens so that he can govern effectively. Similar to the creation of the Republic, the only available resource is a map of Texas!
Supporting Documents:
Explore the Colonization of Texas with Commissioner George P. Bush using the Texas Three-Step
Designed for students 4th - 7th grade, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush teaches an interactive lesson on the colonization of Texas using restored maps (primary sources) from the GLO Archives. Focusing on several of the most interesting documents that shaped the boundaries of our great state and made Texas what it is today, Commissioner Bush guides students through the map and challenges them to explore our great state's history up close. Travel back in time to discover how Texas was founded by exploring the GLO archives, which contains more than 35.5 million documents and 45,000 maps!
Supporting Documents:
Texas Energy
Energy is the heartbeat of Texas, moving the economy and the people of this great state. From the days of striking "black gold" to the momentum that continues to push the people of this great state forward, energy is the spirit of Texas. Texas energy keeps us running, keeps us moving, and continues to provide for future generations of Texans. Designed for High Schoolers, students join Commissioner Bush as he explores how Texas continues to move towards the future, incorporating an "all of the above" approach to including a wide variety of energy sources to meet Texas' energy consumption, production, and sustainability needs.
Fast Facts on Texas Energy:
- As the second-largest state in our nation, Texas is a vital part of the national economy and plays an enormous role in providing energy for all Americans. Our abundant resources are harnessed to fund public education and prepare Texas school children for a promising future.
- A comprehensive, "all of the above approach" can be utilized to continue to expand the Texas Energy miracle, adapting to emerging clean energy markets like solar and wind power on state lands.
- Free Market approaches and dedication to protecting our property rights must work in coordination to conserve Texas land, air, water, and energy resources. Through diligent oversight, Texas can lead the nation in promoting free-market solutions to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow.
- As the number one producer of crude oil and natural gas, Texas is the number one net exporter of energy in the nation.
- Texas produces more electricity than any other state, generating almost twice as much as Florida, the second-highest electricity-producing state.
- Texas leads the nation in wind-power generation and produces one-fourth of all the U.S. wind-powered electricity in 2017. Texas wind turbines have produced more electricity than both of the state's nuclear power plants since 2014.
- More than 25% of the nation's proved natural gas reserves are in Texas.
Supporting Documents:
- Explore Commissioner Bush's Energy Map
- Explore the 1930 East Texas Map
- Download the worksheet
- Learn more about the 1933 East Texas Oil Field Map
- Learn more about Commissioner Bush's Energy Map
Literacy
As a former public school teacher and avid reader himself, Commissioner Bush knows the value of literacy in our community. See the clips below as he speaks to students and parents about what literacy is and how we can help the schoolchildren of Texas continue to learn and grow.
