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Reasons for Westward Expansion

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
"Go West, young man!" is a familiar refrain in American history. But why did people leave their homes in the East to travel westward and what impact did that movement have on people already living in the American West? By examining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Along the El Camino Real

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
While studying each of the 21 missions in California, your class will learn about the founders and founding dates of each mission. Note: Some resource links may not be working, but can be supplemented with additional activities found on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Links to the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners use documents from California As I Saw It: First Person Narratives, 1849-1900 , in American Memory to create a script depicting the motivations, expectations, fears, and realizations of immigrants who settled California between...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Port of Entry

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The State Seal Online Lesson

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the Seal of the State of California and the meaning of its parts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pre-Columbian Settlements and People

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

The Rise of Railroads: Illinois

For Teachers 4th Standards
Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Once Upon a Time (Saxipak’a): Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How did the environment and natural resources found on the Channel islands influence the culture of the Chumash? Archaeology meets technology in an activity designed for middle schoolers. After viewing West of The West's documentary Once...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friar Margil & The Spanish Missions

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students explore the life of Friar Margil de Jesus as well as other Spanish friars. They research Friar Margil and write a paragraph explaining why Spanish friars came to Texas. In groups, students create a PowerPoint presentation...
Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
West of the West's documentary Arlington Springs Man introduces viewers to the remarkable finds on Santa Rosa Island. Archaeologist have discovered on this small island that is part of the Channel island chain, human and pygmy mammoth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life of a Mission - From Beginning to Now

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers research the history of a Spanish mission. They create a timeline showing the major events of the mission. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invasion of the Medfly

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the invasion of the fruit fly in California. In groups, they observe and record the fruit fly's lifecycle and how they affect humans in society. They also discuss the history and geography of the fly and the different...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Spanish Entrada

For Students 9th - 12th
In this Arizona history worksheet, high schoolers read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Ethnic Student Newspaper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the role of the Black Press. In this African American history lesson, students watch segments of a video titled, " Too Long to Have Others Spoken for Us." Students respond to discussion questions regarding each of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Native Americans Thematic Unit

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students consider different cultural viewpoints. In this Native American history lesson, students examine artifacts and then conduct research on selected Native American tribes.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Historical Summaries: Arizona

For Students 8th - 10th
For this Arizona history worksheet, students read a 2-page article about prehistoric, Spanish, Mexican, and American Arizona prior to responding to 2 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The State Seal Offline Lesson

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover the meaning of the different objects on the State Seal. They identify changes in the State Seal over time students hypothesize why elements have changed students suggest what elements should represent the State of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Counting on Cooperatives

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students are introduced to the study of economics, including an introduction to basic business types and systems. They investigate about international, national and California history as they take a historical tour of cooperatives and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Mission Slide Show

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
Lesson Plan
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Constitutional Rights Foundation

Special Order 40

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The city of Los Angeles' 1979 Special Order 40 states: "LAPD officers shall not initiate police action with the objective of discovering the alien status of a person." After reading a fact sheet that details the history of Special Order...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

U.S. Immigration Policy and Hitler’s Holocaust

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Though the Statue of Liberty welcomes political refugees to her shores, the welcoming sentiment has not always been reflected in the American citizenry. High schoolers read about the regrettable period in United States history...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Postcards from California: A Unit on Geography, Social Studies, History and California's Resources

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine patterns that influence population density in the various regions of California. The unit's three lessons utilize graphic organizers for the interpretation and presentation of data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chicano Movement in California - Culture, Causes, and Community

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the culture and community of the Chicano movement in California using prints that emerged from the Chicano movement. The historical, binational, and bicultural components are examined in this three lessons unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How the Great Depression Affected California and C¿¿sar E. Ch¿¿vez

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the effect of the Great Depression on California. After reading a summary, they discover how the depression and Dust Bowl led to the immigration of great numbers of farm workers into California. They also...

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