Texas History for Kids

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Walk in the footsteps of Texas’s official state dinosaur! In this episode of Texas History for Kids, we head to Dinosaur Valley State Park to uncover the mystery of Paluxysaurus jonesi—how it was discovered, how Texas chose its state dinosaur, and what ancient footprints reveal about life during the Cretaceous Period. Packed with facts, adventure, and real Texas science, this episode is perfect for curious listeners in grades 4–7. 

References: 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/drought-reveals-113-million-year-old-dinosaur-tracks-in-texas-180982829/

https://phys.org/news/2009-12-world-skeletal-mount-paluxysaurus-jonesi.html

https://www.smu.edu/news/archives/2009/dinosaur-identity-14jan2009#:~:text=Peter%20Rose%20is%20the%20scientist,Maryland%20in%20the%20late%201800s

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In this episode of Texas History for Kids, we explore the mystery of Jean Lafitte, a pirate who ran smuggling and privateering operations across the Gulf of Mexico, negotiated with powerful governments, and even helped the United States win the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

But Lafitte insisted he wasn’t a pirate. He claimed to be a privateer, someone who believed he had permission to control trade and attack enemy ships. Was he telling the truth, or just bending the rules when money was involved?

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
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Early settlers and ranchers believed the “horny toad” or horned lizard, had special powers, not because it was spooky, but because it did things no one could explain. 

It looks prehistoric, survives extreme Texas heat, and has one of the strangest defense tricks in the animal kingdom. But how did the Texas horned lizard, often called the “horny toad,” become the official state reptile of Texas?

In this episode of Texas History for Kids, Michelle and Zoe uncover the science, folklore, and history behind this iconic Texas creature. Learn how the horned lizard adapted to tough land, why people once believed it had magical powers, how invasive fire ants caused serious problems, and why Texans chose this small but mighty survivor as a state symbol in 1993.

🎁 Grab the companion kit and reusable listening resources at TXHistoryForKids.com

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🎧😊Podcast Listening Response Activities

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
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Today, we’re exploring how black-eyed peas traveled across continents, survived hard times, and ended up as one of the most famous New Year’s traditions in Texas and the South.

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 Was The Yellow Rose of Texas song written about a real person… or is it a legend that bloomed later? In this episode, we follow the trail of a famous song, a mysterious woman named Emily, and the Battle of San Jacinto. You’ll learn where the song really came from, why Texans embraced it, and how folklore, music, and history sometimes twist together. 

Podcast Listening Response Packet

Yellow Rose of Texas Song Lyrics

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
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Join us as we uncover the bold events surrounding the Siege of Béxar and the moment that changed the course of the Texas Revolution. 

References

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/bexar-siege-of

Music/Sounds by Pixabay

Starting Jingle Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay- Jingle Slide Guitar

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
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Why did Texas choose the little blue wildflower that pops up every spring as its official state flower? Join us as we uncover the “flower drama” of 1901, explore how bluebonnets turn Texas into oceans of color, and bust the myth about whether it’s illegal to pick them. From legends to science to Texas road trips, this episode reveals why the bluebonnet became a true Lone Star icon. 

Bluebonnet Song Lyrics

The Legend of the Bluebonnet YouTube Read Aloud

References

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/bluebonnet

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LUTE

https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2012/mar/scout3_florafact_bluebonnet/

https://texasproud.com/texas-state-flower-bluebonnet/

Music/Sounds by Pixabay

Starting Jingle Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay- Jingle Slide Guitar

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🎧😊Podcast Listening Response Activities

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
Plus, join the email list for more Texas-sized learning fun each week.
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What can copy a car alarm, a barking dog, a squeaky gate, and maybe even Zoe? The Northern Mockingbird — Texas’ official state bird! In this episode, we explore why this talented (and slightly mischievous) bird was chosen to represent the Lone Star State. 

Resources - My Entire store is 15% off on Dec 1 and 2, 2025!

References

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/symbols

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/mockbird/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/texas/state-bird/mockingbird

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🎧😊Podcast Listening Response Activities

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
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 Discover how a tiny pecan became a huge Texas symbol. We explore Native American history, Governor James Hogg’s surprising final wish, and the rise of pecan pie as the State Pie of Texas. 

Thanksgiving Read Aloud Freebie

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🎧😊Podcast Listening Response Activities

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 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
Plus, join the email list for more Texas-sized learning fun each week.
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Email [email protected]

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Today marks our 100th episode of Texas History for Kids! 🎉 Join us  as we uncover a shiny silver clue—a 1936 Texas Centennial Half Dollar—and follow its trail back through time.

Step into 1836, when Texians at Washington-on-the-Brazos declared independence from Mexico. March through the battles of the Texas Revolution, then fast-forward a century to 1936, when Texans celebrated their first hundred years with a world-fair-sized party at Fair Park in Dallas.

RESOURCES

References

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-centennial

https://www.artdeco.org/texas-centennial-celebration

Music/Sounds by Pixabay

Starting Jingle Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay- Jingle Slide Guitar

Support the show

🎧😊Podcast Listening Response Activities

🎉 Y’all, it’s freebie time!

 Snag your Texas Flag Reading Packet—perfect for grades 4–7!
Plus, join the email list for more Texas-sized learning fun each week.
👉 SEND MY FREEBIE!

Email [email protected]

Visit the Website

Facebook

YouTube

TpT Store