Smithsonian Institution
Mexican War
Did you know that without the Mexican War, the United States would not include the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and even parts of Colorado? Scholars learn a variety of interesting facts about the...
American Museum of Natural History
Going, Going...Gone?
Young environmentalists consider how scientists are attempting to save endangered species. They read about what causes extinction and steps to take to minimize the threats.
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,...
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.
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.
University of California
University of California, Los Angeles: Children of the Atomic Bomb
In his own words, an American physician describes the devastating effects of the atomic bomb dropped in Nagasaki during World War II. Included is an online collection of images of the aftermath, videos, lesson plans, oral history...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The California Recall Election (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan in which learners identify basic facts about the structure and history of recall elections in California, and in which they analyze the pros and cons of a gubernatorial recall election.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: In Plain Sight
Carol Hurst uses one of her own books, "In Plain Sight," as a basis for this lesson plan on the California gold rush. In addition to discussion questions about the book, Hurst provides ten activities designed to help students explore...