Sixth graders make a model of a watershed. In this geography instructional activity, 6th graders view a shaded relief map of California and locate landmarks. Students examine the San Francisco Bay Watershed by following the journey...

Learners write from an animal's perspective. In this writing lesson plan students explore the landscape of San Francisco prior to the arrival of the explorers. Learners research animals indigenous to the area.

Students investigate the history of San Francisco, California and then create recipes from the area, including a Monte Cristo Sandwich, Sourdough Bread, and a Golden Gate Burger.

Students investigate why San Francisco grew so quickly during the Gold Rush. They

Students create a mental map of San Francisco. They compare it with actual topographical maps of the city. Then they label various locations on the San Francisco Hillshade map and locate watershed boundaries.

Students examine the role that racism played in the growth of the Bay Area. They discover how turn-of-the-century boosters promoted a vision of the Bay Area. They study the American Indian Movement's takeover of Alcatraz Island in 1969,...

Students explore the impact of the 1906 earthquake on the population of San Jose. They explore two different perspectives of earthquakes. Students write a news bulletin as if they were reporting on the earthquake. They are then...

Not all technology is digital. Teach learners about the low-tech maker movement with a photo essay about six artisans from California and two articles about the local creator movement. After tackling the photo essay in small...

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...

In this comprehension worksheet, students read and respond to five multiple choice questions about the story. Then they explain in a short answer response why there were people who opposed to the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and why.

Students examine the destruction caused by earthquakes. In this community safety lesson, students examine the risk involved in living in an earthquake zone and how to prepare for future earthquakes.

Learners study the causes of electricity shortage in California in 2000-2001. In this social studies activity, students evaluate the effect of the deregulation process. They discuss the actions taken by the government to solve the crisis.

Examine the role of social media in social and political uprisings. Pupils listen to NPR audio clips about social media and the Arab Spring and read an article that proposes the idea that revolution will not happen through social media....

Students engage in a lesson which introduces the definition of a community and challenges them to explore the characteristics of their own community. This lesson uses the true story of Humphrey the Lost Whale as an illustration of how...

In this map skills about the state of California activity, students locate and label specific places and areas and create a map key and symbolize the economy and areas of personal interest. Students answer 5 questions. 

In this social studies worksheet, learners utilize a map to label the location of each city with a Major League team and then with colored pencils label the homes of the All-American Girls League teams.

Students examine the population growth of the United States.  In this Geography lesson, students construct a map of the fifty states.  Students create a graph of the population of the USA. 

In this 1960s and 1970s America worksheet, students review a chapter as they define 7 vocabulary terms, eliminate 5 false statements, and identify 3 historical themes pertaining to American society during the 2 decades.

Students determine ways they can help in their communities. In this community involvement lesson plan, students read a story that facilitates a discussion about neighborhoods and communities. Students name the communities they belong...

Pupils create scripts about California settlers. The document reflects the settlers' fears, expectations, and realizations.

Students analyze the physical geography of the United States and how we have adapted to or altered the land to create the country we know today. Students complete maps with physical features, states and cities of interest.

Pupils use the Internet to research Minoan and Mycenaean trade. In groups, they develop a chart showing the goods that were exported and imported. Using primary source documents, they examine the materials found in the wreckage of the...

Students explore the characteristics of their community. In this communities lesson, students read Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story and discuss how the community came together to solve a problem. Students identify services within...

Second graders complete a recycling project to clean-up their school. In this service project lesson, 2nd graders assess their campus for litter, set up a recycling project, clean up their campus, and recycle the trash. Students also...