Curated OER
Camping Near the Estuary
Learners examine the first meeting between the first Spanish settlers and the native groups of the Tijuana estuary. Using a map, they trace various expeditions throughout Goat Canyon and the Spanish migration. After reading text, they...
Curated OER
"Rivers of Change"
Third graders research the Los Angeles River Basin and how it has changed over time.
Curated OER
How To Read A Portrait
Students examine a system of critical analysis for describing, interpreting, and evaluating portraits which focuses their attention and yields information about the artwork.
Curated OER
Los Angeles Throughout the Years
In groups, 4th graders are given a recent decade to focus on and its impact on Los Angeles and to see how the city has changed over time.
National First Ladies' Library
The State Of The States
Students engage in a study of the states as part of the United States while conducting research using a variety of resources. The focus of the study is the states that were part of the Union by 1890. Students create an almanac about...
Curated OER
Spanish Colonization: The Anza Expedition
Learners research the Spanish explorations and North American geography. They create web pages based on their study.
Curated OER
Pushing the Boundaries: The Pioneer Spirit
Eleventh graders recognize how social reform occurred at the turn of the century. Through a debate, 11th graders determine advantages and drawbacks of traveling west using original sources and descriptions of the attitudes, beliefs, and...
Curated OER
Day of the Dead
Students explore Day of the Dead, also called "Dia de los Muertos," which is a holiday (or festival) celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background.
Curated OER
The Christmas Train to Ft. Lincoln
Students solve the mysteries of why Karl Vogt and Erich Braemer were on the Christmas Train. They review the definitions of the terms constitutional, human rights, due process, discovery, and the writ of habeas corpus. They review the...
Curated OER
GI's, Gals & Gardens
Students, in groups, design a war participation campaign for a specific audience during WWII. They design posters and prepare an oral presentation for the class.
Curated OER
50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Students examine the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended segregation. They role play to re-enact the case and discuss why it was important. They discover its impact on public education.
Curated OER
Scaling the Map
Middle schoolers practice determining map distances using the map scales. They discover how much an area represents on the map in relation to the actual area. They decide on the best place to build their cavern.
Curated OER
Uniform Blues
Fourth graders explore what the U.S. Constitution is and why it is important, the purpose of the state constitution, and its relationship to the U.S. Constitution and the similarities and differences among federal, state and local...
Curated OER
Fire and Fire Suppression
Middle schoolers explore forest fires and forest service's new stategies. They study a case of natural burn and the impact of lowering the intensity of a larger forest fire.
Curated OER
1906 Earthquake
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...
Other
California State Parks: Paleontology
The California State Parks present an excellent unit to local geology of Borrego Badlands to Salton Trough. Through lessons plans, power point presentations, and a videoconference students will take a closer look into fossils and the...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Coming to California [Pdf]
In this lesson, 4th graders examine entries from Juan Bautista de Anza's diary and other documents to understand the experiences and obstacles he and his companions faced as they traveled from Arizona to California in 1774. Student...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Land of Golden Dreams: California in the Gold Rush
A rich site on the California gold rush, 1848-1858. An online exhibit traces the gold rush using primary sources, a teacher page gives lesson plans from 4-12 and a kid's page offers further online adventures. Takes a long time to load.
Other
History Course Models for California Teachers
This is an invaluable on-line tool for California Social Studies and History teachers at all levels. Website provides links to resources and lesson plans already aligned with CA state standards as well as a forum for discussion,...
University of California
History Project: Debate Over the California Constitutional Convention, 1878 1879
Lesson on immigration, conflict and nativism in which students examine primary source documents to evaluate public policy and attitudes towards Chinese immigrants in California, 1878-1879.
Other
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
S.C.O.R.E. offers teacher approved and evaluated websites, lesson plans, virtual activities, and more which have been aligned with California standards to aid educators in history and social science.
Other
California State Parks: Redwood Ecology
The California State Parks presents a unit of four lessons plus a videoconference with one of their rangers regarding the ancient redwood forest ecosystem. The videoconference is a virtual tour through one of two redwood forests in...
Other
California State Parks: Redwood Ecology
The California State Parks presents a unit of four lessons plus a videoconference with one of their rangers regarding the ancient redwood forest ecosystem. The videoconference is a virtual tour through one of two redwood forests in...
University of California
University of California, Davis: The History Project
The History Project is a growing collection of lesson plans, teaching tools, digitized images, and documents for the teaching of history. Includes assignments for having students apply analytical skills to primary sources.