The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.
Here are the teacher pack items for Pioneering Principles: Why Character Matters:
The opportunity to own cheap, abundant land in Mexican Texas was a powerful incentive for many Americans to pack up and set out for Austin’s colony. Mexican authorities, however, did not want just anyone settling their land. They wanted to make sure the people coming to Texas met high standards of responsibility and conduct. Good settlers meant a prosperous and peaceful Texas, but how could the government of Mexico be sure they were getting good people?
The government of Mexico believed one way to help ensure the “quality” of settlers was to require documentation verifying the person’s good character. Character is a set of qualities that defines a person: honest or dishonest, responsible or irresponsible, reliable or unreliable, etc. The quality of settlers colonizing Texas was so important to Mexican authorities that they put it into law. The 1825 Colonization Law of Coahuila y Texas stated in part, “the new settlers who present themselves for admission shall prove their Christianity, morality, and good habits...” In this experience you will learn how colonists tried to prove that they had “good character” in order to come to Texas.
Goals:
I do what needs to be done.
I am reliable and dependable.
I never make excuses or blame others.
I am honest. I don’t lie, cheat or steal.
I am a good and dependable friend.
I work hard at being successful.
Do you think you are a trustworthy person? Why or why not? Would someone who knows you give the same answers you just provided? Why would the answers be the same or different?
You must examine the Red River emigrants very closely, and take care that no bad men get in ...
–Stephen F. Austin, 1823
What do you think Austin meant by “bad men” and why would this be a concern to him?