Economics. The student understands the factors that caused Texas to change from an agrarian to an urban society

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.113.19.11A primary
  explain economic factors and the development of major industries that led to the urbanization of Texas such as transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing; and
• TEKS.113.19.11B primary
  explain the changes in the types of jobs and occupations that have resulted from the urbanization of Texas.

Lesson Overview

This lesson explores the economic factors and major industries that caused Texas to transition from an agrarian society to an urban one. Students will learn about the roles of transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing in this transformation, as well as how job types and occupations changed as a result. The lesson is aligned with TEKS standards for Grade 7 Social Studies and includes direct instruction, guided practice, and reflection activities.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the economic factors and development of major industries such as transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing that led to the urbanization of Texas.
• Describe the changes in types of jobs and occupations that resulted from Texas's urbanization.

Success Criteria

• Students can identify and explain key industries that contributed to Texas's urban growth.
• Students can describe how job opportunities changed as Texas became more urban.
• Students can connect historical economic changes to the development of Texas society.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of Texas geography and its early agrarian economy before urbanization, including familiarity with farming and rural life.

Key Vocabulary

• Agrarian
• Urbanization
• Transportation
• Oil and Gas Industry
• Manufacturing
• Occupation
• Industry
• Economic Factor

Materials and Resources

• Map of Texas showing urban and rural areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Images or photographs of Texas transportation systems (railroads, ports)
• Pictures or diagrams of oil wells and refineries
• Examples of manufacturing plants or factories in Texas
• Timeline chart for students to fill in
• Chart paper or whiteboard for group discussion

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare visuals showing Texas's economic changes over time, including maps and images of industries.
• Create a timeline template highlighting key developments in transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
• Prepare discussion questions comparing agrarian and urban lifestyles.
• Gather examples of jobs before and after urbanization for student analysis.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Economic Factors Leading to Urbanization in Texas

Texas's shift from an agrarian to an urban society was driven by several key economic factors. Transportation improvements, such as the expansion of railroads, allowed goods and people to move more efficiently across the state, connecting rural areas to cities and markets. The discovery and development of the oil and gas industry created new wealth and attracted workers to urban centers. Manufacturing industries grew to support these developments and the increasing population, producing goods locally rather than relying on imports. These industries created jobs and infrastructure that encouraged urban growth.

Transportation's Role in Texas Urbanization

Railroads and other transportation systems were vital in transforming Texas's economy. Railroads connected farms and ranches to cities and ports, enabling faster shipment of agricultural products and raw materials. This connectivity encouraged the growth of cities as commercial hubs and centers of industry. Ports and roads also supported trade and movement, making urban areas more accessible and attractive for businesses and workers.

Impact of Oil and Gas Industry

The discovery of oil in Texas in the early 20th century was a major economic turning point. Oil and gas extraction created numerous jobs, from drilling to refining, and attracted investment and workers to urban areas where refineries and related industries were located. This industry contributed significantly to Texas's economic growth and urban development, shifting the state's economy away from solely agriculture.

Manufacturing Growth and Urban Development

Manufacturing industries in Texas expanded to meet the demands of a growing population and the needs of other industries like oil and transportation. Factories produced goods such as machinery, textiles, and processed foods. Manufacturing jobs were typically located in urban centers, drawing workers from rural areas and contributing to the growth of cities.

Changes in Jobs and Occupations Due to Urbanization

As Texas urbanized, the types of jobs available changed significantly. Many people moved from farming and ranching jobs to work in factories, oil fields, transportation, and service industries. Urban jobs often required different skills and offered new opportunities for employment. This shift also changed the social and economic structure of Texas communities, with more people living in cities and working in diverse occupations.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

In groups, students discuss how railroads, oil production, and factories could attract workers and businesses to certain areas.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: What does the word 'urbanization' mean in the context of Texas history?
2. Developing: Name three major industries that helped Texas become more urban.
3. Application: How did the development of railroads affect the growth of cities in Texas?
4. Analysis: Compare the types of jobs people had before and after Texas became more urban. How did these changes affect communities?
5. Challenge: Explain why the oil and gas industry was a turning point for Texas's economy and urban growth.

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Urbanization means the process of Texas changing from mostly rural farmland to having more cities and towns where people live and work.
2. 2. Transportation (like railroads), oil and gas, and manufacturing.
3. 3. Railroads connected rural areas to cities and markets, making it easier to transport goods and people, which encouraged towns to grow into cities.
4. 4. Before urbanization, most people worked in farming and ranching. Afterward, many worked in factories, oil fields, and transportation. This shift led to more people living in cities and changed the social and economic structure of communities.
5. 5. The oil and gas industry created new jobs and attracted investment to urban areas, leading to economic growth beyond agriculture. It caused population shifts to cities where refineries and related industries were located, accelerating urbanization and changing Texas's economic landscape.

Guiding Questions

• What economic changes helped Texas grow from farms to cities?
• How did transportation improvements affect where people lived?
• What new industries developed in Texas during urbanization?
• How did jobs change as Texas became more urban?
• Why is understanding these changes important for Texas history?

Common Misconceptions

• Urbanization means only building more houses; it actually involves economic and social changes that cause population shifts to cities.
• All jobs in Texas remained agricultural even after urbanization; in fact, many new industrial and service jobs developed.
• Transportation improvements only helped farmers; they also enabled cities to grow by connecting markets and workers.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe student participation in group discussions about industries and urban growth.
• Check student charts comparing jobs before and after urbanization for accuracy.
• Ask students to explain key concepts during class discussions.
• Write a short paragraph explaining one economic factor that caused Texas to become more urban.
• List two types of jobs that changed because of urbanization in Texas.
• Write an essay describing how transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing contributed to Texas's urbanization and how jobs changed as a result.

Answer Guide

• What does 'urbanization' mean?
  Answer: It means the process of Texas changing from mostly rural farmland to having more cities and towns where people live and work.
• Name three industries that led to Texas urbanization.
  Answer: Transportation, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
• How did railroads affect Texas cities?
  Answer: They connected rural areas to cities and markets, encouraging towns to grow into cities.
• Compare jobs before and after urbanization.
  Answer: Before, most jobs were farming and ranching; after, many were in factories, oil, and transportation.
• Why was oil and gas a turning point for Texas?
  Answer: It created new jobs and investment in cities, leading to economic growth and urban population shifts.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to interview family members or community workers about how jobs and industries in their area have changed over time, relating it back to Texas's urbanization history.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to interview family members or community workers about how jobs and industries in their area have changed over time, relating it back to Texas's urbanization history.

Lesson Summary

Texas's transformation from an agrarian to an urban society was driven by economic factors such as transportation improvements, the oil and gas industry, and manufacturing growth. These industries created new jobs and attracted people to cities, changing the types of occupations available and reshaping Texas's social and economic landscape. Understanding these changes helps students see how economic development influences population patterns and community life.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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