Dear America – A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence (Gonzales, Texas 1836)
By Sherry Garland
Age: 11-14
Additional Reading:
Illustrated Alamo 1836: A Photographic Journey by Mark Lemon, Craig r. Covner
The Alamo by Tamara L. Britton
Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories by Paul Robert Walker
Alamo: An Interactive History Adventure by Amie J. Leavitt, Mickie Ross
For adults to read along:
Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis
Field Trips:
The Alamo – San Antonio, TX
Goliad State Park & Historic Site – Goliad, TX
Town of Gonzales – Gonzales, TX
Sam Houston Memorial Museum – Huntsville, TX
Crockett Tavern Museum – Morristown,TN
Pioneer Farms – Austin, TX
Video:
The Alamo – DVD
PBS: American Experience: Remember the Alamo
Discovery Channel: The Alamo: The Five Hours that Changed History
Websites:
http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ Learn not just about the Alamo, but the entire history that built Cinda’s state.
Vocabulary:
Ruckus (9/9)
Democracy (9/6 – later)
Delirium (9/20)
Dissidents (9/20)
Dictator (9/22)
Grievances (9/22)
Dragoons (9/30)
Ford (9/30)
Fandango (10/2)
Presidio (10/6)
Premonitions (10/27)
Ornery (11/15)
Cahoots (11/15)
Morale (12/3)
Harboring (12/6)
Forlorn (12/23)
Puncheon (12/24)
Churned (2/1)
Joshing (2/4)
Adobe (2/8 – later)
Garrisoned (3/6)
Palisades (3/6)
Sacristy (3/13)
Arts & Crafts:
-There is a brawl over a whittling knife. Learn knife safety and try whittling something yourself. (If you are not comfortable with your children using a jackknife, try using a plastic knife and either a bar of soap or a bar of canning wax). (9/10)
-Make homemade soap.
-Try your hand at creating a braided rug (12/24)
-“Mama started a new quilt. She let (Lucinda) choose the color for the border.” Draw and plan out a quilt. Depending on your interest and talent create your imagination. Create it with cut out paper, perhaps create just one square of your plan, or if you are really daring, create your entire quilt.
-See if you can find a farm, yarn store, or museum that cards and spins fibers. Visit and see how it is done. See if you can help with part of the process.
Writing:
-Lucinda says on September 15th that her biggest fears are Comanche raids, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders. Do a little research on each. Which of these would be your biggest fear and why? Be sure to support your position.
-Lucinda read an editorial bout how cruel Santa Anna is. What is the difference between an editorial and a regular newspaper article? Read the editorial page of your newspaper for a week. Choose one of the editorials to respond to. Write a letter to the editor about it.
-On January 6th, there is a conversation between two neighbors, Wilis, and Papa in which one of the neighbors said that they are going to move back to the states. “I’ve got no business fighting in a war. Why, I’ve got a wife and six children. What would they do if I got kilt?” Willis stood up suddenly and says right to the main’s face, “Well, if something ain’t worth fighting and dying for, then I say it ain’t worth having.” He stomped off. Papa says, “Was I ever that young?” the neighbor says, “IF wars were lift up to old codger like me and you, Aaron, I reckon armies would be put out of business.” Take either Aaron and Papa’s side or Willis’. Who do you think is correct and why? Write a persuasive essay to convince others of your opinion.
-Cinda compares the Mexicans march on the Alamo to David and Goliath. Reread the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. Decide if this is a reasonable comparison. Write an essay to show the similarities or differences.
-On December 6th, Cinda’s family finds out that San Antonio is being overrun. The family fears for Uncle Isaac’s family. Cinda tells Green that Uncle Isaac will put up a sign to that their house will not get attacked. She wishes that she could believe her own lie. Is lying ever ok? If so, when and why? If not, explain why not.
-On December 20th, Mittie and Cinda discussed what to give their families for Christmas given the many shortages. Reread this entry. Write an entry in your diary about all the things that you are thankful for.
English:
-Cinda memorized a sonnet as they worked on school work trying to pass the time as the Mexican’s invaded their town. Find out what defines a sonnet. Then choose one. Memorize it and recite it.
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought home a black crow. Cinda is concerned that maybe this is a bad omen. Does this foreshadow what is to come? What other foreshadowing did you notice in the book?
History:
-Research one of the following people and introduce him / her to others through either a power point presentation, a character monologue, or a traditional report:
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Stephen F. Austin
William Travis
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
Col. Burleson
Ben Milam
General Cos
-Comanche Indians are mentioned several times in the book. Where was the Comanche territory as compared to Gonzales and the Alamo? Find out about the nation’s traditions and culture. Share what you found with others.
-Find a picture of the “Come and Take It” Flag. What did this flag stand for?
-The Alamo was once a mission. Find out what a mission is. Create a model of the Alamo.
Cinda was very excited about having mistletoe above her doorway for Christmas. Research the tradition of mistletoe. Where does it originate from?
Government:
-Lucinda’s father is frustrated by reports that Santa Anna wants the people of Gonzales to turn over their disabled 6 lbs cannon. He says, “ This is the beginning of the disarming of the colonies. If we give up the cannon, next thing you know, Santa Anna will want our hunting rifles, then our pistols, then our Bowie knives, then our whittling knives.” Why does this bother him? How does this relate to the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution?
Extra Credit: Find out where the term Bowie knife comes from.
Science/Technology:
-Lucinda’s family picks cotton. Find out about the cotton plant. What part do they use to make clothe? Make a thumbnail board (picture board) that describes the process.
-Mr. Roe died of smallpox, as did some of Cinda’s cousins in Nachitoches, LA. Research smallpox. What are the symptoms, causes, cure,etc?
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought a black crow home with a broken wind and cared for it. Find an animal rehabilitation hospital near you. Arrange a tour to see the work that they do.
Cooking:
-Due to the war, food was very scarce for Lucinda’s family. Much of what they ate they had scavenged for. Plan to go pick food at a local orchard. Cook something with the food you picked.
-On November 5th, there is a very descriptive passage about cutting apart a pig for food. Look in a cookbook to find all the different meat that can be cut from one animal. What are the differences in the cuts of meat? What should you consider when you choose a cut of meat?
Geography:
-On a blackline map of Texas, mark at least five town locations and two rivers that exist in the book.
Music:
-Listen to some fiddle playing. Imagine that Davey Crocket is playing for you.
Physical Fitness:
-Find a pair of castanets. Try playing them and dancing to some Mexican music.
-Several dances are mentioned in the book: the Virginia reel, the cotillion, the waltz, and the polka. Learn one and perform it for others.
Mission / Action:
-The Volunteers were often stealing from the townspeople because they were so hungry. Hunger is still a problem today for many reasons. Research hunger in the world today. Find a way to help and do it.
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