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Organizer
Curated OER

California Outline Map

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Young scholars...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Detectives

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

California- Gold Fever

For Students 4th - 5th
In this Gold Rush worksheet, students read a one page article with pictures and maps pertaining to the Gold Rush in California in 1949. Students then answer 4 essay questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Gold Rush

For Students 6th - 8th
In this gold rush worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the nation during the time period. A short answer question is included as well.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

California: Crossword Puzzle

For Students 5th - 8th
In this United States history learning exercise, students use the 14 clues in order to fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers pertaining to California.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Moon

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space science learning exercise, middle schoolers complete each of the statements with the correct word or phrase about the moon. Then they identify four ways that scientists believe the moon was formed, selecting one and writing...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

California

For Students 4th - 8th
In this California worksheet, students identify, locate and discuss forty-eight towns and cities found in California and circle each one in a word search puzzle.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Desinging and Using a Dichotomous Key

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils are examine the purpose of dichotomous keys. In groups, they design their own in order to describe the characteristics of plants and weeds native to California. To end the lesson, they define new terminology associated with the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Founding of Los Angeles, California

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California's Mission/Rancho Era

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a variety of activities as they study the Spanish colonization of California, including the relationships among missionaries and Indians and their interactions with soldiers and people in the pueblos and ranchos.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Missions

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the Spanish influence upon California missions. Using the internet and other resource tools, they research a particular mission and write about its schedule, events, and beliefs. In groups, 4th graders create board...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Journeys: California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work through a series of lessons to study the state of California. They participate in a geography journey lesson plan, poetry lesson plan, a research lesson plan, and examine the rise of railroads in California. For each...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Rush -- Lesson 4

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars continue their examination of the Gold Rush in California. In groups, they use a map to examine the original sites of the towns and what happened to them. They work together to create a brochure for one of the towns and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gold Rush: An Introduction

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the Gold Rush in relation to "To Build a Fire." They research a website and view a Power Point presentation on the Alaskan Gold Rush. They write notes on a graphic organizer and write a sentence supporting their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invasion of the Medfly

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the invasion of the fruit fly in California. In groups, they observe and record the fruit fly's lifecycle and how they affect humans in society. They also discuss the history and geography of the fly and the different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Go West, Young Man!"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine reasons why people migrated west. They describe how the geography of the U.S. changed in the 19 th century and design a PowerPoint presentation to convey factors for westward expansion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Muir in California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders listen to key events in John Muir's life and plot locations on a California map. They discover that John Muir was an immigrant to California who encountered environmental problems and found solutions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous People of the Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research a famous person from the Gold Rush era. Using the Internet, they take notes from creditable websites and write their rough drafts of their paper. They use peer editing to check for spelling and grammar errors. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine how the early explorers from Spain and England competed in their search for riches and new lands. They read and discuss text from their book, participate in a debate, and create a poster.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/ Chapter 5, Lesson 2: Mexico Defeated (pp. 116-120)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study how the United States declared war on Mexico and succeeded in gaining control of California. Several activities are included in the lesson. The lesson outline is included as a link.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 8, Lesson 1: Farming Takes Hold (pp. 184-187)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss that the movement toward farming during the 1850's to the 1870's meant for California. The economy of California is studied in relationship to the effects of farming. There are several focus questions to help...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 1 The Past Shapes the Future (pp. 292-295)

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders reflect upon the events of the past in order to make cognitive connections to present or future history. Students use Blooms Taxonomy to attain higher levels of thinking.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First European Settlers:Oh, California

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners trace the paths of the early explorers who sent three expeditions to settle California. They analyze possible reasons why the land expeditions took longer than ocean routes.