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James Stephen Hogg
Lesson 3:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
6th-8th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Analyze/Interpret; Compare/Contrast; Personal Response; Response to Text/Others
PHIL: Advocacy; Character Education: Responsibility; Responsibility; Social Action; Values
SOC: Hogg, James Stephen; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Cooperative Groups

Purpose:

Students examine the life of Mr. James Stephen Hogg through the lens of responsibility (dependability and completing tasks).

Duration:

One 20-minute lesson

Objectives:

The student will:

  • read text on James Stephen Hogg.
  • identify Hogg's sense of responsibility by examining his actions.
  • interpret his values based upon his actions.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills.  For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org.

Materials:

  • Learner copies of Attachment One: Mr. James Stephen Hogg
Handout 1
Mr. James Stephen Hogg

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Ask the students if they have heard of James Stephen Hogg. Say, "Mr. Hogg was an important leader in Texas because he worked to promote justice and fairness for the common people of Texas. After a difficult childhood, Mr. Hogg spent his life showing responsibility for his people. He was both dependable and followed tasks to completion."

  • Give each learner a copy of Attachment One: Mr. James Stephen Hogg. Allow 6 minutes for students to read the short biography and highlight examples of dependability and following tasks to completion. Have them answer the questions at the bottom of the page.
  • Have the students pair up to share their answers. Allow 5 minutes.
  • In a whole-class discussion, talk about what values (beliefs that are emotionally based) Mr Hogg held. Have the students point out text that supports their answers. Allow 3 minutes
  • Discuss the following questions: How did those values influence his sense of civic responsibility [a sense of responsibility toward the community]? What connections do you see between values and responsibility? 
  • Ask the students how Mr. Hogg is still influencing us today.

Lesson Developed By:

Jan Dalman
Curriculum Consultant
Learning to Give

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Mr. James Stephen Hogg

Born in Rusk, Texas, in 1851, James Stephen Hogg was the third of five children born to Lucanda and Joseph Lewis Hogg. James’ father died when James was 11, and the following year, his mother died. Thus, the five children were left to run the family plantation. James, along with his two older sisters, was forced to leave school and take responsibility for his younger siblings.
In his first job as an adult, James worked as a typesetter in Andrew Jackson’s newspaper office. His second job was as a local sheriff. In an outlaw ambush, James was shot. That encounter increased his determination [commitment to get it done] to fight crime in Texas. After a time as justice of the peace, he served as district attorney to the 7th District. His friends encouraged him to run for Attorney General in 1886.
As Attorney General, James Hogg worked against injustice from powerful corporations and worked for the rights of individuals and families. He supported development of healthy school systems. He encouraged legislation to protect the public domain and set aside land for schools, resulting in one and a half million acres being established. He enforced laws providing that the railroads and land corporations sell their holdings to settlers within certain time limits. He broke up the Texas Traffic Association, which had become so powerful it didn't always act in the best interest of the citizens. Mr. Hogg helped write the second state antitrust law. Antitrust laws promote competition among businesses by not allowing one business to get too large. He forced out illegitimate insurance companies and aided legitimate businesses in general.
In 1891, he was elected governor of Texas. One of his famous quotes sums up his work for the people of Texas, “Let us have Texas, the Empire State, governed by the people; not Texas, the truck-patch, ruled by corporate lobbyists.”
After his retirement, he continued to fight against nepotism (favoritism shown to relatives), unequal taxation, and corporate control of Texas. 
Today, the Hogg Foundation, which was established in his honor by his daughter, Miss Ima, continues to promote mental health for the people of Texas. 
 
Questions:
 
1. What life events contributed to James Stephen Hogg’s sense of responsibility?
 
2. What tasks did he follow through to completion?
 
3. What did he value? How did those values guide his actions? His sense of responsibility?
 
4. For whom was Mr. Hogg an advocate (someone who speaks on behalf of someone else)?

Philanthropy Framework:

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