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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Rush California and its Diverse Population

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students compare contemporary cultural differences with historical differences based on population percentage. In this cross-curriculum Gold Rush/math lesson plan, students analyze aspects of California's Gold Rush population and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Aboard!

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners, in groups, create a display showing a "train trip" to a destination of their choice from a teacher-made list. They also answer a series of questions related to their trip. Groups present their displays.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Google Earth Geology Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students take a virtual field trip around California using Google Earth. In this geology field trip lesson, students explore landforms and a variety of rocks located in California.  Students compare environments where rocks are formed....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Yosemite to Joshua Tree

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover diversity of plant and animal life in California's parks and compare findings to identify what makes park areas unique. Students then publish their discoveries in picture books of their own design.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Untold Triumph

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine and analyze the history and experience of Filipinos in Hawaii and California. They identify the contributions of Filipino Americans to the US war effort in World War II, and analyze the many causes that led to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can Depend On me

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Discover the natural beauty of California. With a conservation bent, this activity delves into some of the attributes that make this state unique. Learners discuss Yosemite and the forest habitat. They focus on the things plants and...
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Organizer
Curated OER

California Map

For Students 2nd - 5th
In this California blank outline map worksheet, students examine the political boundaries of the state and then mark the state capital, other cities, and other state attractions on the map.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mystery State #26

For Students 4th - 6th
In this mystery state worksheet, students answer five clues to identify the state in question. They then locate that state on a map.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Missions

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use what they already have gathered on California missions to create a database. Using the different missions, they brainstorm, organize and categorize what they have gathered. They present their material to the class and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Skyscrapers from New York to California

For Teachers 3rd
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....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Many Cultures

For Teachers 4th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foreign Miners

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils examine primary source documents from miners who went to California in the search of gold. They compare and contrast the letters they read and discuss what types of discrimination still exists today.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Fights Sugar

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Scholars read articles and have a class discussion on California's efforts to fight obesity. They will read and discuss the effects of sugar on the body and the soda tax that is being proposed in California.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Gold Rush

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing the Population Explosion of Weeds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the seed cycle and draw the specific steps. In groups, they identify the human barriers to the spreading of weeds. After calculating the rate of spreading of the Yellowstar Thistle, they create graphs to see a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Tribes

For Teachers 4th
Have your class learn about Native American tribes in California. They identify five regions where Native Americans lived, discuss the daily life of these people, and conduct research on a particular tribe. Afterward, they create a...
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PPT
Curated OER

State Symbols: California (ESL Lesson)

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
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...
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PPT
Curated OER

Political Differences 2

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A single slide provides students with a graphic organizer to fill out about political differences. Categories include state representation, The House, Missouri, and California. Tip: Save this PowerPoint to use as a template for more...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can Die Here – Death Valley California

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students use Google Maps to explore the rain shadow desert. In this climate lesson, students use the Internet, Google Maps, and directed inquiry worksheets to understand how rain shadow deserts form. Students apply climate concepts to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land Use and Lawmaking in California

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers design a plan for a housing development in their city. In this house development lesson plan, students observe pictures of land use, research lawmaking, and develop a plan for an environmentally friendly housing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in California is Amelia?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students find Amelia somewhere in California. For 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
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Sea Otters--Funny Mammals of the Sea

For Students 4th - 5th
In this sea otters worksheet, students read a 2 page article on sea otters, define 12 vocabulary words from the article and answer 7 comprehension questions in complete sentences.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography Journey

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the geographic features that define places and regions and answer questions about the state of California. They discuss the components of a map legend and answer worksheet questions using a map of California as a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's (Not) Just a Bug: Simulating Invasive Insect Predation on a Plant Population

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on challenges that face farmers in cultivating crops, including insects. They then simulate how crops are affected by native and non-native insect populations and the options farmers have to protect their crops. Finally,...