I'm a Texan, You're a Texan

Books to Share

Babe Didrikson: All Around Athlete by Jane Sutcliffe.
Bill Pickett: Road: Rodeo-Ridin Cowboy by Andrea Pinkney.
Hoops with Swoops by Susan Kuklin.
Things Change by Troy Aiken.

Books to Show or Booktalk

Angel of the Alamo: A True Story of Texas by Lisa Waller Rogers.
Fly High: Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden.
Make Way for Sam Houston by Jean Fritz.
Nobody in Particular: One Woman's Fight to Save the Boys by Molly Bang.
Quanah Parker Warrior for Freedom, Ambassador for Peace by Len Hilts.
Search for the Shadowman by Joan Lowery Nixon.

Decorations or Bulletin Board Ideas

Texas Authors and Illustrators

Create a bulletin board entitled "Texans Who Have Blazed the Trail for Reading." Display titles, authors, and call numbers along with book jackets of books by noted authors and illustrators who now or previously lived in Texas. You will find some of them listed at: www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/Texas.htm.

Games and Activities

Guess Who I Am

Tape the name of a famous Texan to the back of each child. Each child will ask the other children question until they have guessed whose name is on his or her back.

Family Tree

Help each child create a family tree and learn when their first ancestor came to Texas.

Costume Party

Have a costume party to which everyone comes as their favorite Texan.

Famous Texans Handout

Distribute the handout and let the children match famous Texans and the reasons they are famous.

Musical Recordings

Play recordings by musicians who now or previously lived in Texas, such as Gene Autry, John Denver, Gatlin Brothers, Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Lyle Lovett, Barbara Mandrell, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Selena, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, and ZZ Top.

Videos

Davy Crockett. (30 minutes)
Nolan Ryan: Feel the Heat. (46 minutes)

Web Sites

Famous People Born in Texas: http://texana.texascooking.com/notable.htm
Famous Texan Quotes: http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/Quotes.htm
Famous Texans: www.famoustexans.com/
Texas Children's Books, Authors, and Illustrators: www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/Texas.htm

Programs and Guest Speakers

Host a musical talent contest with prizes for each contestant.

Invite local Balllet Folklorio dancers to perform for the children.

Professional Resources

Did You Ever - Meet a Texas Hero by Marj Gurasich.
Twenty Texans: Historic Lives for Young Readers by Betsy Warren.
Texas Heroes: A Dynasty of Courage by Mona D. Sizer.

Table of Contents | Young Adult Program

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