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GCHM Traveling Educational Trunks
Lesson plans may be completed in any order. Texas TEKS are listed with each trunk.
History Detectives
Kindergarten through Grade 8
Students become history detectives as they examine photographs, maps, documents and artifacts for clues about the past. Hands on activities build observation, research and critical thinking skills for learners from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Vietnam and Propaganda Who Is the Enemy Here
High School United States History
Students study the Vietnam War by examining propaganda, news images and different points of view from the era. The lessons ask students to think carefully about how words and images shaped ideas about the war and who was considered the enemy.
All Roads Lead to Caddo and Life of the Caddo
Kindergarten through Grade 8
Students explore Caddo homes, food, pottery, trade and daily life through hands on lessons and objects. Two matching trunks contain the same materials so more students can take part, and this is one of our most popular trunk programs.
Women in the War Effort
Grades 6 through 8
Students discover how women served in the military, worked in factories, cared for the wounded and supported their communities during World War II. Activities explore rationing, victory gardens, communication, volunteer work and the lasting effect of women on American life.
Trains
Kindergarten through Grade 8
Students follow the story of trains from steam engines to modern rail travel while learning how railroads helped communities grow. Hands on lessons introduce train jobs, famous routes, freight and passenger service, force, motion and engineering.
The Texas Revolution
Grades 4 and 5
Students learn about the causes, people and major events of the Texas Revolution through maps, stories, artifacts and classroom activities. Lessons include Gonzales, Goliad, the Alamo, the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Battle of San Jacinto.
Rhythm and Roots
Kindergarten through Grade 2 Music
Young students explore beat, rhythm, sound and movement through songs, instruments and playful music activities. The trunk introduces important music skills while celebrating musical traditions connected to Longview, East Texas and Texas.
Historic Gregg County
Grades 9 through 12
Students investigate the people, places and events that shaped Gregg County through local stories, historic images, maps and primary sources. Lessons connect Caddo history, settlement, railroads, the oil boom, wartime experiences and community growth to the larger story of Texas and the United States.
**DISCLAIMERS**
- The travel trunks contain genuine artifacts and some replicas included when the use of real objects is not appropriate. They are meant to be taken out of their containers and touched by the students under supervision.
- If an artifact/replica is damaged please contact Jennifer White as soon as possible. If a trunk is returned with unreported damage, that specific campus/teacher will not be allowed to check out a travel trunk for one year from original reservation date.
- To reserve a trunk, contact Jennifer White at 903-253-5840 or education@gregghistorical.org to arrange for pick up and return. Campus contact may pick up/return only Tuesday - Friday. Specific times will be arranged at time of reservation.
- Reservation requests will be considered on a first come - first serve basis
