[jimboxer]

I am preparing to teach a novel study on A Paradise Called Texas. Does anyone know where I can get some ideas for this unit? I appreciate any suggestions.

[1956BD]

immigration to America, Texas more specifically. I used to teach this novel about Mina from Germany, when I taught fourth grade. I no longer have any of the chapter comprehension questions that I wrote, sorry. I do remember that we used a world map to trace her voyage across the Atlantic, and then a Texas map to trace the last part of her journey by land. We talked about how long this trip took at the time. We compared it to how long the trip would take you today. We also discussed the fact that she would never see her grandparents again and how faster travel today makes it possible to see extended family more easily. There is a sequel to this book that is also good. Good luck!

[Mysterywoman]

Resources for A PARADISE CALLED TEXAS
By Janice Jordan Shefelman

HOLT teaching guide online
http://my.hrw.com/nsmedia/novelwise_hs/find/byauthor/author_s_10.htm

Online version (includes a glossary of German words)
http://www.oldcardboard.com/lsj/olbooks/apct/pct.htm


http://www.esc4.net/docs/150-InstructStratHO.doc

Texas State Historical Association lesson plans-may work for your splitting up tasks across classes idea?
http://www.tshaonline.org/tools/lessonplans/grade4/twosteppin/index.html

Handbook of Texas Online article on German Immigrants with interior links
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/png2.html

A few good lesson ideas from HRW
http://my.hrw.com/nsmedia/novelwise_hs_te_version/find/bytitlepdf/aparadisecalledtexas_pdfs/ap5554_1.pdf

Institute of Texan Cultures (includes info on many Texas immigrants)
http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/publications/texansoneandall/texans.htm


I also brought a model of a ship from the 1800s for the students to look at. This really helped them visualize the journey.

[jimboxer]

Thank you so much for your help! These look like great sites!