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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: California and Mesopotamia: Similarities and Differences

For Teachers 11th - 12th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the similarities and differences between California and ancient Mesopotamia. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Shasta Dam

For Students 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Shasta Dam in Northern California. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: California

For Teachers 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the state of California. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
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Unit Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: San Francisco Earthquake

For Students 9th - 10th
The 1906 earthquake in San Fransisco nearly wipes out the city. Read and view footage and information of this catastrophic event.
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: First Prisoners Arrived at Alcatraz

For Students 3rd - 8th
Why is Alcatraz Penitentiary called "The Rock?" Who is sent there? This Library of Congress site has more information and photographs.
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Handout
NSTATE

The Geography of California

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here you will find a variety of facts about the geography of the state of California. Find out the geographic center, total area, elevations and much more.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Devils Postpile National Monument

For Students Pre-K - 1st
National Park Services offers a geological curiosity with Devils Postpile National Monument in Mammoth Lakes, California. Columnar basalt, Rainbow Falls, and Reds Meadow Valley are all part of this wonder just west of the crest of the...
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Devils Postpile National Monument

For Students Pre-K - 1st
National Park Services offers a geological curiosity with Devils Postpile National Monument in Mammoth Lakes, California. Columnar basalt, Rainbow Falls, and Reds Meadow Valley are all part of this wonder just west of the crest of the...
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Death Valley National Park

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Death Valley acquired its name during the California Gold Rush, but the Timbisha Shoshone inhabited the region long before. The severely hot and dry national park is packed with history, culture, incredible geology, and, believe it or...
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Death Valley National Park

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Death Valley acquired its name during the California Gold Rush, but the Timbisha Shoshone inhabited the region long before. The severely hot and dry national park is packed with history, culture, incredible geology, and, believe it or...
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Joshua Tree

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Almost central between Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas lies California's Joshua Tree National Park. The desert park website offers a rich history, culture, and impressive ecosystem.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Lava Beds National Monument

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Lava Beds National Monument finds its home in northeastern California. National Park Services provides an excellent overview filled with details to the rich history, culture, artwork and more.
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Handout
Other

California State Parks: Gold Rush Overview

For Students 3rd - 8th
Get basic facts about the 1848 discovery of gold by John Marshall at Sutter's Mill and the subsequent Gold Rush in California and American history.
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Activity
Nature Conservancy

Nature Conservancy: California, Protecting the Golden State

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore the rich habitats and natural beauty of the California landscape in this interactive video.
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Activity
Nature Conservancy

Nature Conservancy: California

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore the rich habitats and natural beauty of the California landscape in this interactive video.
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Lassen Volcanic National Park

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Northern California hot spot Lassen Volcanic National Park consists of thirty volcanic peaks. The park boasts of its hydrothermal features and offers historical, cultural, and scientific information.
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Website
Other

California Travel & Tourism Commission: Visit California

For Students 9th - 10th
Visitors to Ca,ifornia will find information on places to go and things to do, as well as help for planning a trip. There are links to pages about different cities and other destinations, and some history background.
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Website
Other

Helping After Neonatal Death

For Students 9th - 10th
H.A.N.D., a support group for those affected by neonatal death, offers information to parents, professionals, family, and friends.
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: The Grapes of Wrath: Voices From the Great Depression

For Teachers 9th - 10th
By examining primary sources, including songs, newspapers, interviews, and photographs of migrant farm workers in California during the Great Depression, students create a scrapbook from the point of view of a migrant worker, providing...
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Website
Other

California Missions Resource Center

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Peruse this thorough resource featuring historical California missions stretching from San Diego to San Francisco as the Spanish established themselves on the west coast of North America between 1768-1853. Read stories of the early...
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Website
Other

California Academy of Physician Assistants: Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Home page for California Academy of Physician Assistants, one of the largest statewide organizations of Physician Assistants. This site has a great deal of information regarding the P.A. career. Included in this site are a brief history...
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Primary
Museum of the City of San Francisco

Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: The Gold Discovery

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains information on the dramatic impact of the California Gold Rush. From "The History of California," published in 1897.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: Californio to American: A Study in Cultural Change

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site has a lesson about the ranching industry, creation of California towns and the changes over time. Contains information, inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, and images.
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Handout
US Department of Agriculture

Economic Research Service:california

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a state fact sheet on California from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You will find information on the population, farm characteristics, and top commodities and exports.