Tom Lea Institute Teaching Resources
The Tom Lea Institute is here as a source for educators, with state-of-the-art lessons prepared and ready to use electronically or as printed materials –
free of charge. Resources are provided by the generosity of our donors and grants.
The following district partners are using our curricula:
El Paso ISD, Canutillo ISD, Ysleta ISD, San Elizario ISD, Dell City ISD, Fredericksburg ISD, St. Clements Parish School, Radford School.
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Tom Lea Institute curricula have been developed in consultation with district curriculum directors to ensure they target high priority topics and exemplify state-of-the-art pedagogy.
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All blended curricula include:
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Social studies or history, the primary focus
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English or ELR
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Art
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Character qualities (social-emotional)
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Digital literacy
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Critical thinking and active learning skills
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Rich primary sources
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Adaptable for cross-curricular teaching
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Tours conducted by TLI in the borderland region are available and at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX.
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Typically, there are 6-8 lessons included and activities for project-based learning.
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Professional development and all materials are available free of charge to teachers, schools/school districts, private/charter schools, and homeschools.
to Learn more about our education programs and how to implement the curriculum,
please contact the Institute at hcobb@tomlea.net or call (915) 533-0048.
Single Lesson Curricula
grade 9-12
Lets make a mural! with Julian Vidales
TEKS FOCUS
SS: Develop and expand visual literacy skills using critical thinking, imagination, and the senses to observe and explore the world by learning about, understanding, and applying the elements of art, principles of design, and expressive qualities.
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Learn what a mural is and how to make your very own.
FEATURES
Instructional video
ENGLISH VERSION
grade 6-12
Rosario Ponte Portraiture
TEKS FOCUS
SS: Develop and expand visual literacy skills using critical thinking, imagination, and the senses to observe and explore the world by learning about, understanding, and applying the elements of art, principles of design, and expressive qualities
FEATURES
Instructional video, and Rosario
Ponte's portraiture.
ENGLISH VERSION
grade 9-12
Tom Lea's Ink Wash featuring Joey Lee Cabral
TEKS FOCUS
SS: Develop and expand visual literacy skills using critical thinking, imagination, and the senses to observe and explore the world by learning about, understanding, and applying the elements of art, principles of design, and expressive qualities
FEATURES
Instructional video, Lesson Plan,
and Presentation.
ENGLISH VERSION
Curricula
GRADE 2
Magnificent Murals
TEKS FOCUS
SS: study of their local community by examining the impact of significant individuals and events on the history of the community
FEATURES
Lea murals: A Franciscan Friar Showing a Book to Indians in the 17th Century,
Las Cruces, NM; Pass of the North,
El Paso, TX and dramatic films.
ENGLISH/SPANISH VERSION
grade 3
Mighty Horses on El Camino Real
TEKS FOCUS
SS: learn how diverse individuals have changed their communities, specifically the Oñate expedition, map reading.
Three video game modules, class lessons, readers' theater.
>> download PDF information
FEATURES
Tom Lea, José Cisneros paintings,
John Houser Equestrian Monument and dramatic films.
ENGLISH/SPANISH VERSION
grade 4
Who Passed Through Here?
TEKS FOCUS
SS: history of Texas from the early beginnings to the present within the context of influences of North America
ART FEATURED
Lea’s Pass of the North mural and dramatic films.
ENGLISH/SPANISH VERSION
grade 7
The Mexican Revolution Through the Eyes of Tom Lea,
José Cisneros, & Posada
TEKS FOCUS
SS: synthesize how the events of the Mexican Revolution impacted El Paso in the larger context of the Progressive movement leading up to WWI, Women’s Suffrage and Prohibition.
ART FEATURED
Paintings, drawings, and photos of Tom Lea, José Cisneros, Posada, and dramatic films.
ENGLISH/SPANISH VERSION
grade 11
What’s the Big Deal About the New Deal?
TEKS FOCUS
Six lessons: Concepts of the Depression, New Deal & WPA
ART FEATURED
7 murals painted by Tom Lea as part of the WPA program, and dramatic films.
ENGLISH VERSION
grade 11
Uncommon Valor: WWII Through the Eyes of Admiral Chester Nimitz
and Tom Lea
TEKS FOCUS
SS: US History WWII Pacific theater, Pearl Harbor, island hopping, Battle of Midway, atomic bomb, Admiral Nimitz
FEATURES
Lea’s WWII art for LIFE magazine, and dramatic films.
ENGLISH VERSION
grades 2-12
STUDENT WALKING TOURS
Student Walking Tours are approximately sixty to ninety minutes long around downtown El Paso. All tours reinforce knowledge of local artists, muralists, architects, life in the borderland region, history, and more!
Awakening the Giants of Our History: Artistic Legacy of El Paso
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Fossils in Our Walls, Cisneros in our Halls
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Plaza & Plaza Theatre
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Four Views of El Paso
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Downtown Treasures
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Alligators,Bats and Owls...
Oh My!
Appropriate for grades 2-12.
Tom Lea & José Cisneros in the Mexican Revolution
Appropriate for grades 5-12.
Los Murales de Segundo Barrio
Appropriate for grades 5-12.
Travel the World in Architecture
Appropriate for grades 5-12.
The curricula are made possible by the generosity of:
MCAD
Humanities Texas
Texas Comission on the Arts
Hoblitzelle Foundation
Summerlee Foundation
The Brown Foundation
The Pruett Foundation
Moleen Foundation
El Paso Electric
Wells Fargo
Sarah Farms
The Chiu Family
Jack Lewis
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Sherril Winter
David R. Schmidt
Jim Harris
Harlen Hill
Lyn Linka
Jan Dwyer
Jamey Clement
Gary Crozier
James Kemp
Ron Woellhof
Melanie Brown
Ed Hart
The Admiral Nimitz Foundation