Download 4th Grade California Social Studies Dear Parents, In Fourth Grade

4th Grade California Social Studies
Dear Parents,
In Fourth Grade your child will learn about
California. We will cover the History of
California, before it was a State, when it was
still a part of Mexico. We will also study the
Native Americans of California, the Spanish
Explorers, Missions, Mexican-American War-as well
as the Gold Rush and American Government.
Currently, we are studying Geography and
Mapping Skills. We’ve already explored world maps
(both Political and Physical), learned about
Longitude and Latitude the lines that graph exact
locations on a map or globe. They have discovered
the Prime Meridian and the Equator. The Hemispheres
and how they split the earth into 4 parts. We use a
Compass Rose, to navigate direction. Scales are
also used to measure distance in miles or
kilometers between places on a map. The Key or
Legend and its symbols, which may represent places,
regions and features.
We are now focusing on the 4 Regions of
California, (Coastal Region, Mountain Region,
Desert Region and the Central Valley Region).
During the “Off-Track” time the students will
make a Physical Map of California. Their map must
contain specifics that we have covered in class.
The 4 regions of California will be on the map
(*It is a Physical Map, so it may also be a 3dimensional map, showing elevated mountains, deep
valleys, dry deserts, and the sandy coastline). It
may also be 2-dimensional, as long as all of the
regions are clearly defined and labeled.
THE MAP MUST INCLUDE:
California and some of its bordering states:
Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and the country it borders,
Mexico. Please use the picture above as a
reference.
The Pacific Ocean, which is the largest ocean,
A Compass Rose (showing North, South, East and
West, as well as northeast, southeast, southwest,
and northwest).
The 4 California Regions (Mountain, Coastal,
Desert and Central Valley).
A Key or Legend that identifies the places by
color and any other symbols they wish to include.
THE MAP MAY INCLUDE:
*If the students wish to have any additional
“accurate” information for extra-credit, they may
do so.
The Lines of Longitude and Latitude.
The Hemisphere where North America is located.
Any Natural Resources (such as Rivers, Farmland
Fruits and Veggies of the Central Valley, Animals
of the area, etc.)
Show where Los Angeles is located.
Mark the State Capital (Sacramento, with a
star)
They may also tastefully decorate their map to
make it unique, so long as it does not take away or
overlook what the project must have.
This is a fun project that you may want to help
them with. Please review and discuss these
important features of California, It is important
for the students to see the connection between
Geography and Social Studies-The Land and its
People.
*Please make sure that the map is no
larger than poster size. It may even be
half the size of a poster, as we have
many students and little room for
display.  We really want to see all of
them!
Make the map colorful and creative!
Have fun and learn more about this
beautiful State we live in and all of
its wonderful resources!
Have a safe and enjoyable off-track
time with your families! I will look
forward to seeing you and your projects
when we return!!!
Sincerely,
Miss Blisten