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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Splendide Californie French Artists’ Impressionsof the Golden State, 1786-1900

For Teachers 6th - 8th
There is a lot to learn from art. This teacher's guide provides you with extensive background information, activities, and a scripted commentary to accompany a slide show on French artists in California during the Gold Rush Period. The...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Read All About It! California History of the 30s and 40s

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore the Great Depression! Discover the challenges people experienced during the time period. Learners investigate photographs from the Dust Bowl and WWII era and create a story line about the photographs, writing a newspaper article...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anza's Historical Journals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the journal of Juan Bautista de Anza. They reflect on his first exploratory expedition into present-day California.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"All We Want Is an Equal Chance, an Open Field, and a Fair Fight"

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners investigate the California Gold Rush. In this California history lesson plan, students analyze images, letters, and documents from the era to discover information about the events and social conditions spurred by the Gold Rush....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring California

For Teachers 4th
While incomplete, this lesson plan could be used as a starting point for an exploration of the geographic features of California. Learners describe the four regions of California and discuss population and economic development. Then,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boom Town/Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars discover the history of California by researching the Gold Rush.  In this economics history lesson, students participate in a class discussion about the book Boom Town, and the value of gold in California.  Young scholars...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion: Links to the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Young scholars use their findings to create scripts that link...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dust Bowl Exodus: How Drought and the Depression Took Their Toll

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the migration of refugees. In this California history instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of how the Dust Bowl and Great Depression led to a California...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

California- Gold Fever

For Students 4th - 5th
In this Gold Rush activity, learners read a one page article with pictures and maps pertaining to the Gold Rush in California in 1949. Students then answer 4 essay questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Founding of Los Angeles, California

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine how the early explorers from Spain and England competed in their search for riches and new lands. They read and discuss text from their book, participate in a debate, and create a poster.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/ Chapter 5, Lesson 2: Mexico Defeated (pp. 116-120)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study how the United States declared war on Mexico and succeeded in gaining control of California. Several activities are included in the lesson. The lesson outline is included as a link.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 8, Lesson 1: Farming Takes Hold (pp. 184-187)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss that the movement toward farming during the 1850's to the 1870's meant for California. The economy of California is studied in relationship to the effects of farming. There are several focus questions to help...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 1 The Past Shapes the Future (pp. 292-295)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders reflect upon the events of the past in order to make cognitive connections to present or future history. Students use Blooms Taxonomy to attain higher levels of thinking.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling to the Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the experiences the people who traveled to California during the Gold Rush by land and sea. They create a map showing the various routes that individuals took to get to California. Students explain the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Missions to Ranchos

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the conversion of the California missions into ranchos. They develop a pros and cons chart, write a first person narrative describing the changing life from the missions to the ranchos, and create a poster of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the World Rushed In: "Who Are These People? And How Came They Here?"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the struggles Californians dealt with regarding diversity brought about by the Gold Rush. They participate in a variety of creative, original activities and projects designed to reinforce the idea of historical diversity...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conflicts Between Cultures

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the issue of discrimination against new immigrants to California. They develop a class word web, read and discuss text, create a poster, and write a picture poem.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 11, Lesson 1: California in Wartime (pp. 250-253)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the crisis of Japanese Americans during World War II. The benefits of the California economy are explored. The instructional activity has a discussion portion that is culturally relevant for many types of students.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 11, Lesson 2: New Uses of Science and Technology (pp. 255-259)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders reflect upon the development of technology and how it has effected the lives of Californians. Drawings and writings are used as media for self-expression. The areas of focus are aviation, sea exploration, and farming.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 10, Lesson 1: Growth of Industry (pp. 226-230)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss the four big events that helped California's southern coast grow in the early 1900's. The events of the digging of San Pedro Harbor and the Panama Canal are included. The effects upon California is looked upon from...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 12, Lesson 1 A Struggle for Rights (pp. 270-274)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the time period of the 1960's and 70's to have discussions about three different ethnic groups. They examine the issue of discrimination and civil rights. The lesson includes a helpful outline with a hyperlink.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 2 California Fights Smog (pp. 296-300)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders look into certain environmental problems. The governmental branches are investigated and how government takes care to solve problems of the environment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 11, Lesson 3: New Ways of Living (pp. 260-263)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders write one fact that pertains to the growth in California suburbs after World War II and another fact that pertains to the changes in the cities. Invite students to share their facts. The class can guess whether the fact...