Texas in 5 States

In the resolution annexing Texas to the United states, Texas was given the right to divide into five states. The resolution states:

New states, of convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and having sufficient population by hereafter, by the consent of the said State, be formed out of the territory thereof which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the federal constitution.

How would you divide Texas?

Directions:

  1. Divide the map of Texas into 5 sections or states. Borders are formed using physical/natural landforms like oceans, rivers, escarpments, or mountains. Borders may also be formed using political/manmade lines such as latitude and longitude.
  2. Name each state. You will NOT write the name on the map, but color each state and put the name on the state in the key. One state MUST be named “Texas” but you will rename your other 4 states. States are named for famous leaders or historical figures, names from other languages of the area (Native American languages and Spanish), or the geography or specific geographic features of the area. You may need to use notes from the beginning of the year or your textbook to help you name your states.
  3. Color each state a different color and create a color key to show the name of each state (as mentioned in #2).
  4. Choose, correctly locate, and correctly label the 5 capitals of your 5 states. Each capital should be an actual town or city that is located within the borders of that area TODAY. You will need to use the blue NYSTROM ATLAS (pp. 88-89)or the smaller blue SCHOOL ATLAS OF TEXAS (p. 3). You can find these atlases in the bookcase by the dictionaries.
  5. Draw, color and label, with the state’s name, a flag for each of your 5 states. Remember to use the Lone Star flag for the state of Texas. Put these flags in the white space surrounding the state (in what would be Mexico, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Gulf of Mexico and Arkansas/Louisiana).
  6. Fill in the chart on the back of your map. This will be part of your grade.
  7. Your grade for this mini-project will be based on following all directions, knowledge of Texas geography displayed, creativity shown, neatness and effort, and overall quality with which you complete this assignment.

State / Capital
(must be a real city) / Geographic Region (use notes or book to remind yourself of the 4 Regions of Texas) / Natural Borders (list the names of any borders formed by rivers, mountains, escarpments, Gulf of Mexico, etc.) / Political Borders (if you use man-made latitude and longitude lines for your border, tell me which ones)
1.Texas
2.
3.
4.
5.