Lesson Plans and Assignments on New Mexico Statehood

Authors

Center for Southwest Research

Files

Description

These resources were created by the staff of the Center for Southwest Research in celebration of the centennial of New Mexico Statehood.

(Photo: Governor Larrazolo receiving troops from overseas. Octaviano A. Larrazolo Papers, 1841-1981, Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico)

Exploring an Era: The Social, Political, and Economic History of New Mexico's Struggle for Statehood

Choose a time period and describe the changes which took place during that era. This small group activity will utilize social studies, technology, and public speaking skills by having the students prepare and present reports from a particular time period relating to the social, political, economic, and tourism issues concerned with the struggle for statehood. Recommended Grade Level: Grade 7-8; with modifications could be used for other grades.Time Required:This lesson should take approximately five 45-minute class periods.

Debate For and Against New Mexico Statehood

This individual or small group activity will utilize social studies, technology, and public speaking skills by having the students argue for and against statehood from a variety of perspectives. Recommended Grade Level: Grade 7; with modifications could be used for other grades. Time Required: This lesson should take approximately four 45-minute class periods.

Governor O. A. Larrazolo and New Mexico's Quest for Statehood

This small group or individual activity will utilize social studies and technology skills by having the students research and describe the life and politics of New Mexico Governor O. A. Larrazolo or another New Mexican involved in the struggle for statehood. Students will use primary source documents to formalize their arguments. Recommended Grade Level:Grade 7; with modifications could be used for other grades.Time Required:This lesson should take approximately four 45-minute class periods.

The Creation of New Mexico's Constitution

Research the formation of New Mexico's Constitution and then draft your own constitution of your own fictional state. This small group or individual activity will utilize social studies, technology, and public speaking skills by having the students research the formation of New Mexico’s Constitution. The students will then draft their own constitution of their own fictional state including their own creative and descriptive state name. The student will then report their findings as well as their own original ideas both in writing and orally. Recommended Grade Level:Grade 7; with modifications could be used for other grades.Time Required:This lesson should take approximately four 45-minute class periods.

New Mexico Statehood Timeline

Create a timeline chart of New Mexico's quest for statehood using primary source documents. This individual or group activity will utilize social studies and technology skills by having the students create a timeline chart of New Mexico’s quest for statehood using primary source documents. The students could then design a final project such as a travel journal, storytelling, newspaper or magazine article, PowerPoint presentation, or a video. Recommended Grade Level:Grade 7; with modifications could be used for other grades.Time Required:This lesson should take approximately six 45-minute class periods depending on the final project options.

Public Relations Writing Assignment

Create a pamphlet emphasizing the advantages of visiting your home town or some other attraction. Originally developed by Center for Southwest Research staff for the Online Archive of New Mexico, this activity is appropriate for all grade levels.

Writing New Mexico

Write about one of the places in New Mexico that you would like to visit. Originally developed by Center for Southwest Research staff for the Online Archive of New Mexico, this activity is appropriate for Middle School grades.

Persuasive/Argumentative Writing Assignment

Write an essay describing in detail why someone might want to visit the area around Santa Fe, N.M. Originally developed by staff of the Center for Southwest Research, this activity is appropriate for High School grades.

Publication Date

Spring 4-26-2013

Publisher

University of New Mexico

City

Albuquerque

Disciplines

Cultural History | Political History | United States History

Recommended Citation

Center for Southwest Research. "Lesson Plans and Assignments on New Mexico Statehood." (2013). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/unm_oer/3