Learners compare contemporary cultural differences with historical differences based on population percentage. In this cross-curriculum Gold Rush/math lesson, students analyze aspects of California's Gold Rush population and diversity...

While the Spanish claimed to bring civilization to California indigenous peoples, in reality, they also brought violence and forced assimilation to European values. Primary sources, such as the reports of Catholic priests and Europeans...

Take a trip to the Golden State with this informative ESL presentation about California. Slides detail the state bird, state flower, and state tree with pictures and explanations. Some of the information is dated, such as Arnold...

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...

Students discover the people who lived in California before and after the gold rush. They use primary source documents to identify how the finding of gold changed the area. They also discover the discrimation that was present during the...

Fourth graders read about the era in their history books, write in their journals revolving around the Gold Rush, making crafts such as newspapers, and also play the part of the Forty-niners.

Academics explore the topic of life in California Missions for Native Americas. Class members complete a research activity, respond to writing prompts, and engage in hands-on-activities to learn who lived in the missions and what life...

Students find Amelia somewhere in California. In this geography lesson plan, students learn about the regions of the state where different crops grow and see how they are produced with the help of many families like Amelia’s

After viewing The Last Roundup, a documentary that examines the transitioning of Santa Rosa from a privately owned island to a National Park, class members adopt the point of view of Tim Vail, a member of the family that once owned the...

Third graders use an online database to gather information on skyscrapers. Using the information, they choose one building and record its height and location. In groups, they design a city skyline including the skyscraper they choose....

Help your class transition as the setting in the novel Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, moves from Mexico to California. Beginning with prior knowledge, and moving into jigsaw research groups, class members add to and create posters...

Jump into traditional Chinese culture with budding readers as they examine vocabulary in context through Shirin Yim Bridge's book Ruby's Wish. This book is read on YouTube if you don't have it on hand. Scholars are briefly...

Students create a California Missions magazine that includes a Table of Contents, pictures, and websites. In this culture and history lesson, students research missions and write and create a magazine article about it.

In this California outline map worksheet, students examine political boundaries of the state and the placement its capital city as well as its major cities. This map is not labeled.

Students explore agriculture by researching the native food crops of California. Students define a list of agriculture vocabulary terms and analyze maps of California which explain which foods come from which area. Students write a...

For this map skills about the state of California worksheet, learners 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. 

Students investigate the laws of using land.  In this California Government lesson, students examine the many uses of land in California and find an environmental issue they care about.  Students write a letter to a politician...

Students create a project poster displaying photos, drawings, and journal writings that incorporate the major themes of California's missions, and use perspective and point of view both visually and in writing.

The California Gold Rush sparked many people to try for their fortunes and led to the formation of some well-known California cities. Have your class read about the changes that happened and then respond to the five included questions.

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...

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.

How much water does it take to brush your teeth? How about to wash your clothes? Perform an experiment that measures water usage in everyday tasks and compares them to the days before indoor plumbing, specifically the California...

Students investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. In this food sustainability activity, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Students define agricultural...

A series of photographs from Yosemite National Park in California adorn the slides in this ESL presentation. Though the only text is on the title slide, the pictures provide a good opportunity for your English learners to practice their...