Last updated: September 11, 2024
Lesson Plan
The Truth: You Decide
Future Civil War Major General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant was at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.
Public domain
- Grade Level:
- High School: Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- Common Core Standards:
- 6-8.RH.1, 6-8.RH.2, 6-8.RH.6, 6-8.RH.8, 6-8.RH.9
- State Standards:
- State: TX
Grade Level: High School
Subjects: English Language Arts & Reading, History
State Standards: ELAR 8.6(J), ELAR 8.9(A)(C), History 8.8(A), 8.29(D), 8.29(F) - Additional Standards:
- Advanced Placement: U.S. History: 5.2, 5.3, 5.8; English Language & Composition 1.A, 3.A, 4.A
- Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
How do you know who to believe when your friends, family or the news tell you different stories? Are they both telling the truth? What do you do to decide what to believe?
Objective
1. To read and understand the main idea in a primary document.
2. To evaluate the value and effect of memory and bias on primary and secondary documents.
3. To analyze, compare and contrast a primary and secondary document.
4. To present their findings to the class and participate in a class discussion.
Background
Ulysses S. Grant woke up the morning of May 9, 1846, [morning after the Battle of Palo Alto] ready to fight the Mexican army. Earlier that morning, Mexican General Arista moved south and set-up his troops at Resaca de la Palma, a former riverbed of the Rio Grande. Part of Grant’s company were selected to search for Mexican soldiers in the thick brush surrounding the Resaca. When Grant, commander of his remaining troops, arrived at the Resaca he discovered Mexican troops hiding behind stacks of dead trees. The fighting began.
Grant’s forces slowly struggled through the dense thickets, never realizing how close they were to the Mexican soldiers. They finally found a clearing and captured a wounded Mexican colonel and a handful of men. To Grant’s surprise, they met US soldiers headed back who said the area had already been captured. Some Mexican soldiers were being held as prisoners and the rest had retreated across the Rio Grande to Matamoros, Mexico. The battle was over.
“This left no doubt in my mind but that the battle of Resaca de la Palma would have been won, just as it was, if I had not been there.” - Grant, Personal Memoirs, 1885
Grant’s first opportunity at leadership proved anticlimactic. As U.S. forces made their way to Mexico City, Grant proved to be a strong leader and quickly rose through the ranks. This experience gave him an affinity for soldiering that led him to become the Union Major General in the Civil War.
“My experience in the Mexican war was of great advantage to me afterwards.” - Grant, Personal Memoirs, 1885
Today Resaca de la Palma Battlefield is a unit of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. Although urban development has tamed most of the dense thickets, the park preserves the remaining chaparral. People can walk on a trail through the thorny brush, visit an overlook of the Resaca and enjoy a picnic in the shaded gazebo. Interpretive panels explain the event. Programs and events are offered on a limited basis.
Preparation
Review the activity. Print the student worksheet and image for each student.
Materials
Students read and answer questions about this document. Afterwards, they compare and contrast it to a secondary document.
Download Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume 1 Worksheet
Students review and compare/contrast to the primary document.
Download Image: Capture of General de la Vega by the Gallant Captain Charles May
Lesson Hook/Preview
How do you know who to believe when your friends, family or the news tell you different stories? Are they both telling the truth? What do you do to decide what to believe?
Procedure
Step One: Ask students and have a short class discussion about one or more of the questions below.
- Do you write in a journal or diary? Why or why not?
- Why you think it is important to write what happens to you now instead of writing about it a week later? OR Do you remember what we learning in class last week?
- Why do you think is it important to look at more than one description of an event?
Step Two: Give each student a copy of the Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume 1 Worksheet and Image: Capture of General de la Vega by the Gallant Captain Charles May.
Step Three: Have students review the documents and answer the questions.
Optional Step Four: Have a class discussion about their answers.
Vocabulary
- Impenetrable: impossible to pass through or see through
- Garrison: a military post; the troops stationed at a garrison
- Relieve: to set free from a condition; give aid or help to
- Artillery: cannon
- Engage: to enter into conflict or battle
- Deploy: to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
- Cavalry: soldiers mounted on horseback
- Exploit: notable, memorable, or heroic act
Assessment Materials
Assess the student's performance by:
- Answers to the questions at the end of each document.
- If you have time, participation in a class discussion.
Rubric/Answer Key
Use the answer key to assess the student’s performance and understanding.
Grant Memoirs Answer Key
Supports for Struggling Learners
Create mixed-ability groups.
Highlight and annotate the document(s) assigned for struggling readers.
Read text out loud prior to answering questions.
Enrichment Activities
Do an oral history project. Interview two of your friends or family members about a memorable event, such as a party, holiday or special occasion, that happened at least one year ago. Write down what they say.
Afterwards, write an essay comparing and contrasting the two accounts. What is different? What is the same? Why do you think the two accounts are different? Do you believe one account or a mixture of both? Explain your answer using examples from the oral history interview.