November 20th, 2026
Friday
INTRODUCTION
The Decline of Spanish Florida
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With the constant invasions, battles, and decreasing amount of settlers, the pressure from the young and growing United States had become more than what Spanish Florida could bear. Spain would have to make a difficult choice to make.
If they kept Florida, the Spanish would still have access to the resources that Florida can provide, yet funding would be tighter than ever. If they gave Florida away, that buffer between the States and the Caribbean would vanish, yet they could give their other territories more attention and power. Spain pondered all of these factors before eventually deciding that Florida would have to go.
Spain and the United States both reached an agreement called the Adams and Onis Treaty that would give the US control over Florida and assume all of the Spanish debt. In return, Spain would gain access to Texas. The treaty of cession was signed on February 22, 1821 and on July 17, 1821, Florida was now a US Territory.
Bell-Ringer:
You will watch the following 3-min video: Rising U.S. vs Fading Spain - The Real Story Behind Florida's Annexation. As you go through the video, use the 3-2-1 Video Reflection handout to take notes about what you have learned.
Rising U.S. vs Fading Spain
Today's Lesson
Game of Headbands
This game of headbands is used as a review activity for the lessons covered throughout the week. After your teachers have prepared the materials to set-up the game, you will pick one of the colored headbands to wear (green, blue, purple, red, yellow and orange.) You will receive a Historical Figure card face down are not allowed to look at your cards while attaching the card to their headband. Your classmates will see the card you were dealt and the game will start. You will have 45 seconds to ask as many yes or no questions that will help you successfully guess the topic. If you guess correctly and still have time left, you will be provided a new Historical Figure card. The person in the group who has the most Pieces of Eight "tokens" at the end of the game is the winner!
A reminder that the topics included in the card set are as following: Historical Figures, Historical Documents, Historical Events, Historical Structures, Agricultural Products, Places (geography), and Bodies of Water.
Featured Activities
Student Presentations
To wrap up, you will present your chosen historical figures from Monday's activity and the new communities you established during Thursday's activity. You may create posters, infographic, or PowerPoints to share the information you have gather throughout the week. You may even dress up as your historical figure or create props to use during the presentation. To complete this project, you may work with your shoulder partners, small groups, or work independently. Presentations should be around 7-10 minutes.
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Please share the following during your presentation:
1) Historical figure name and information
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Colonial/time period in which they lived in while in Florida
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Known family members
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Role and responsibilities
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A map of where their historical figure lived
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2) The Plan of Your Community
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Title
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Cartographer
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Compass Rose
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Bodies of water
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Streets
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Homes
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Farms and/or ranch land
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Fishing areas
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Trade areas/routes
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Defense structure
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Sources of fresh water
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3) Your Spanish Reales Budget Sheet
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How did you spend the 200 Reales?
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Explain challenges on how to spend the money and staying on budget
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4) Writing a Letter to King Charles III of Spain
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Explain the Goals of your community
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How did the location and budget spent factor into achieving said goals?
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Must Include: Heading (Date on top right), Greeting (“Dear King Charles III of Spain”), Body (Main Message), Closing (“Sincerely”), Signature (Student Name)
Previously on #FLGeoWeek:
