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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Through Time, Wetland Style

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a timeline on the development of the Pajaro Valley Area. In this social science lesson, students discuss the changes that took place in the area over the past 300 years. They draw a pictures of how the area has changed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Island of the Blue Dolphins Jigsaw

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research three topics from the book, either Village Life, Sea Life, or San Nicholas Island. They research independently and meet in a jigsaw format to share what they learned. As group they create a poster for class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children in the Fields

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research Hispanic child labor in California's agricultural period. They create dioramas reflecting the lives of migrant farm workers and political cartoons as produce crate labels, They illustrate farm scenes and hold a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wild, Wild West, or Was It?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the American West. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 5th graders examine the opportunities that the West offered American pioneers. Students watch a montage video and analyze primary documents regarding the topic.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Lesson Plans on the Intersection of History and Literature

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Finding out about "the story behind the story" can provide a greater understanding of literature and its historical and social context.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legends and Myths: Trickster Tales

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in groups to research the characteristics of various myths and legends. They read tales, illustrate them, record oral storytelling efforts and write an original folktale. Students then invite parents to a dramatic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Book: Latino Economics in the United States: Job Diversity

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students, after reading Chapter 1 in the book, "Latino Economics in the United States: Job Diversity," write an essay that compares the cultural as well as the historical factors (experiences with jobs, discrimination, education, etc.)...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quest for Freedom

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and discuss the Texas Revolution and the founding of Texas as a Republic. They read about the major events of the Revolution, research the events online, and complete a chart to present to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latinos Spice Up Melting Pot

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate the history of early Hispanic workers in the U.S. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, read about Latinos in the U.S. today, view a mural, and answer discussion questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

1920’s Questions

For Students 8th - 12th
In this 20th century history instructional activity, students respond to 50 multiple choice questions about events and significant figures of 1920's America. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Adventure Begins: "Boys I Believe I Have Found a Gold Mine!"

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students view and discuss historical documents regarding Native Americans and Californians prior to the gold rush in the 1940's. They complete a variety of activities designed to show what they have learned from these sources and class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children in the Fields: The Life of the Hispanic Child Laborer During California's Agriculture Explosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the agriculture explosion in California in the late 1800's to the early 1930's. They analyze primary source material putting themselves into the shoes of a child laborer. They also gain an understanding of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conjunto Music from South Texas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Mission Slide Show

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

God's Life

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the Huichole culture. They create a craft that is typical of the Huichole culture. Students partake in a variety of traditional Spanish foods and music. They use Spanish vocabulary while creating their craft.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Was It Like?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use the Internet to gather historical facts about the county in which they live. Using the information, they discover how to check it for accuracy and present their findings to the class. They write an essay about the history of...
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Mexican Immigration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Excellent site that examines the Mexican immigrant group beginning with early settlement in New Mexico in 1598 through to present times. The history as well as the intricate multiculturalism of this immigrant group is addressed.
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Mexican Immigrants

For Teachers 9th - 10th
As America grew and spilled into bordering lands, people found themselves living two cultures. LOC brings us a comprehensive site that traces the history of Mexican Americans and their culture.
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Immigration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A content-rich site and Library of Congress "Featured Presentation" that looks at the immigration experiences of Americans from many backgrounds and countries. Includes lesson suggestions and resources, online immigration vocabulary...
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Article
Immigration and Ethnic History Society

Iehs: Bryan Winston, Contesting Immigration Incarceration

For Students 9th - 10th
This article focuses on an example of Enrique Betancourt, a Mexican immigrant who was incarcerated for larceny and was released in an unusual manner. This case shows how both Mexican migrants and Mexican officials initiated deportations...
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Article
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Immigration in America

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by National Public Radio. There has been some time since the 9/11 tragedy when Americans were upset with immigration laws. Where is America now? How do Americans look at immigrants and the diversity they bring...
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Article
University of California

The Endless Debate: Immigration and u.s. Agriculture

For Students 9th - 10th
This article describes the special treatment agriculture as received in order to retain an illegal and poorly compensated Mexican work force. Potential solutions are discussed.
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Article
PBS

News Hour: Mexicans React to Immigration Crisis in u.s. (2006)

For Students 9th - 10th
Fascinating look at the Mexican viewpoint of the immigration debate in the United States. Transcript, audio, and video of this July, 2006, report available.
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Website
Other

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

For Students 9th - 10th
MALDEF offers many resources to the Mexican American community. Here anyone can learn about public policy, have access to laws regarding citizenship and equal access, and read news and events regarding the Mexican American community.