On-Site Programs for Grades 7-12

1. Visions of the Past: Time—2 hours

Using historic photographs and keen powers of observation, students in small groups with sponsors explore the fort and answer questions for this difficult fill-in-the-blank commentary. They "meet" Commissary Sergeant Forsyth and his large family, who lived at Fort Davis 1885-1891, and face a tough challenge requiring higher level thinking skills. Closure activity is provided.

2. Scavenger Hunt, Advanced: Time—1 1/2 hours

Divided into small groups with sponsors, students visit different areas of the fort, including the restored buildings and museum, searching for particular historic objects. The time available for your group’s visit determines how long students work on this open-ended activity. For historical context, background information on the various scavenger hunt items is provided. At the end, students’ lists are compared to see which group found the most correct answers. Later, students can research historical items that pique their interest. Closure activity is provided.

3. Park Video: In the auditorium, a 15-minute video relating the story of Fort Davis shows every half hour to park visitors. If you wish your students to see this video, please tell the ranger at the Visitor Center desk. Please do not walk into auditorium while video is in progress. An expanded, 30-minute version of the video is available for purchase ($15.96 + $1.16 tax), if you wish to show it to students in the classroom. You may order it by mail for an extra $5 shipping.

Off-site Materials for grades 7-12

Down Load Pre and Post Visit Activities and Worksheets 860kb PDF file

TEKS: All educational programs and materials are curriculum based and are in full compliance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

TEKS—Visions of the Past:

*students use maps, interpretive data, their own visual observations, and primary source material/historic photographs in a problem-solving process;

*students understand the conflict between Native Americans and European settlers during the period of America’s westward expansion in the 19th century;

*students analyze how people of various racial and ethnic groups have helped shape our national identity

TEKS—Scavenger Hunt:

*students apply critical thinking skills and use teamwork/group interaction and

map-reading skills to interpret information;

*students utilize the process of historical inquiry