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The Founding of Los Angeles, California
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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Getting There: "Do You Want To Go To California?"
Young scholars, in groups, participate in a variety of activities regarding the rise of Anglo-American immigration in the 1840s and its impact upon California. They discuss immigration from the West and the East as it influenced the...
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John Muir in California
Fourth graders listen to key events in John Muir's life and plot locations on a California map. They discover that John Muir was an immigrant to California who encountered environmental problems and found solutions.
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American Journeys: California
Fourth graders work through a series of lessons to study the state of California. They participate in a geography journey lesson, poetry lesson, a research lesson, and examine the rise of railroads in California. For each lesson, they...
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Many Cultures
Fourth graders study about several aspects of human culture, specifically those in California. They examine California's agriculture, industry, and economic changes; and cultural changes since 1850.
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Anza's Historical Journals
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 7: The Elements of Story
Budding novelists work on character development by relating to the characters in their stories. They imagine their own hopes and dreams and recall those of characters from books they've read. Learners also consider struggles the...
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Edible Numbers
Believe it or not, this is a 76-page series of lesson plans published by the California Commission on Agriculture which is designed to teach upper-elementary learners about agricultural practices and products in the state. There are two...
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Las Misiones de California
Fourth graders work in partners to complete a series of activities. After reading the introduction, Students select a role of either a "Padre" or "Indigena." As partners, they need time on the computer for research as well as time to...
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Elena by Diane Stanley
This story is bound to motivate your class. Learners read a story called Elena by Diane Stanley. The story is about a young woman who marries for love but is soon widowed during the Mexican Revolution. She takes her children to...
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Two Sources of Story Ideas for Our Paper
Students research and identify story ideas for the school newspaper. In this story ideas lesson, students pitch story ideas to their teacher on a weekly basis using a specific format. Students find the majority of their ideas from print...
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The Things That Bothered Farmer Brown
Link language development to literacy skills. This lesson template provides a comprehensible way to use the Braidy Web to maximize language and reading skills. It would be appropriate for developmentally disabled pupils reading at a K-2...
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Heading West
Students study the concept of the westward expansion. In this exploration of the western U.S. instructional activity, students participate in different activities that explain economic hardships, jobs, and land opportunities. Students...
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Your Mission: The Last Mission
Fourth graders develop a research report to determine the best location for the final California mission. They conduct Internet research, create charts and diagrams, and develop a presentation.
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The Right to Education for California's Minorities and Immigrants
Students examine the elements of various court cases and how state and federal laws affect them. They participate in a series of mock trials to gain a better understanding of the issues involved.
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Eureka! You've Struck
While incomplete, this instructional activity could provide ideas for a instructional activity on the California gold rush. Learners look at a chart to analyze population growth in San Francisco after the discovery of gold, analyze...
Channel Islands Film
Island Rotation: Lesson Plan 2
Why are Torrey pines only found in La Jolla, California and on Santa Rosa Island? Class members examine images of Torrey pines from these two locations, noting the similarities and differences, and then develop a demonstration model that...
Channel Islands Film
Magic Isle: Lesson Plan 1
What are the factors that limit growth and expansion? As part of their study of Catalina Island, class members view the West of the West's documentary Magic Isle and research William Wrigley and the Santa Catalina Island Company. After...
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In Search of California Indians
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the west. They research about the history of a selected tribe and their contributions to...
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California Electricity Crisis
Learners study the causes of electricity shortage in California in 2000-2001. In this social studies lesson, students evaluate the effect of the deregulation process. They discuss the actions taken by the government to solve the crisis.
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Native California Americans
Fourth graders study the differences in the ways of life of five different Native California Tribes. They assess the use of technology, computers and the Internet as valuable investigation tools.
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The Road to California - A Journey to Freedom
Students complete a Web quest about Biddy Mason's journey Westward to California as a slave and her ultimate rise to one of the wealthiest and generous woman of the Westward Movement. They present an exhibit of their research.
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Growth in Southern California
Fourth graders examine the impact of orange crops and the railroad industry on the growth in southern California. They develop a fact list about the history of oranges in California, and create a family tree demonstrating the impact of...
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California's First Constitution
Students read excerpts from speeches made at the California Constitutional Convention. They predict what the state constitution say about slavery and other issues concerning race.