The Alamo Remembered

What do you know about the Alamo?  You'll need to know enough about it to write a first-person narrative.  Use these links to refresh your memory and fill out the last column of your KWL chart:

American Library-Don't worry.  It's a short couple of paragraphs!

Remember the Alamo-Also, not that much info...one page!

San Jacinto-Breaks the Alamo down into 6 sections.  Read the one you want.

Alamo Museum--History-The history of the Alamo in 4 pieces.  Read one, especially if you still don't know much about the Alamo.

It's time to make a decision.  It's a big decision.  Who are you going to be?  From what point of view are you going to tell this story?  For instance, a soldier in the Mexican Army is going to see and feel things ALOT differently than say a slave, or a child, or a women, or a Texan soldier.   Read about some of these people.  Some of their personal stories can help you decide who you'll be.     

PBS Alamo

Alamo Museum

Alamo Film

Handbook of Texas Online

Use the Flowchart to choose.

Now you have to figure out what you (the main character) are all about.  This is where you read about the Alamo, see pictures and images and IMAGINE being that person at the Alamo.  You'll fill out the Senses Organizer for this step.

What are you seeing?

Look over the facts from your KWL chart.  What can you add to the "What I See" chart?  The following websites will provide you with cold, hard facts.  You need to make those facts come alive.  Here are some Alamo websites--a few might be repeats.  Look through them and turn those facts into something more real, more human.

Timeline of the Battle

PBS Alamo

Alamo Museum

Now you've selected your character, you need to take your Senses Organizer and come up with a story.  You've done it lots of time in Language Arts.  We're just tweaking it a little by making it historical.  Here's your prompt:

Please tell the story of the Battle of the Alamo from your own character's perspective.  This should include everything you're seeing.  Be sure to use descriptive details.  Remember you've been taught to start with a lead paragraph, ensure you answer the prompt, and have a "zinger" of a conclusion.  Your finished product should be a 3 paragraph paper.  Don't forget to use the rubric before you turn it in.

Below are links to images about the Alamo.  Pictures, maps, graphics--all of these will work for your "docudrama". 

American Memory It's a database.  You'll have to type in Alamo in the search box.

Texas, Texans and the Alamo Use the arrows at the bottom of the page.

The Alamo These are present day pictures from around the Alamo.

Pictures of the Alamo Features over 150 photographs of the Alamo, as seen through history, drawings and media

"To Whom Was This Sacrifice Useful" Images and items from the Mexican Army.

Architectural Plans of the Alamo

You'll learn MovieMaker.  This incorporates video, images, music and narration into anything you want.  Don't forget to refer to your MovieMaker rubric before, during and after making your "docu-story".