Florida SS.4.A.3.9

Social Studies4th GradeExploration and Settlement of Florida

The Standard

Explain how Florida (Adams-Onis Treaty) became a United States territory.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain why Spain agreed to give Florida to the United States. They put the treaty and Florida's change of control in order.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can say that Spain and the United States signed the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1819. Spain transferred Florida in 1821, and Congress made it a U.S. territory in 1822.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think the United States bought Florida with a direct payment to Spain. They may also think Florida became a state as soon as the treaty was signed.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask: 'What did Spain agree to in 1819, and what happened to Florida in 1821 and 1822?' Look for three events in the right order.

Lesson moves

Give pairs three dated event cards, treaty signed, Florida transferred, territory created, and have them arrange the cards on a paper timeline.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining why signing a treaty in 1819 did not make Florida a state that year.
Play a quick timeline sort with 1819, 1821, and 1822 cards, calling out events for students to match to dates.
Show a map of Florida and nearby states, then ask students to mark where Florida fit on a U.S. map in 1822.

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