Harcourt – Atlas, virtual tours, news, activities and games.

Chapter 1: California’s Geography

Lesson 1: California's Location

Lesson 2: The Regions in California

Biography Page: John Muir

Lesson 3: Climate and Vegetation        

Lesson 4: Where Californians Live

Lesson 5: Life in California

Chapter 2: California's Indians

Lesson 1: The First Californians

Lesson 2: The Northern Coastal Region

Lesson 3: The Southern Coastal Region

Lesson 4: Indians of Central Valley

Primary Sources: California Indian Artifacts

Lesson 5: The Desert Region

Biography Page: Cheryl A. Seidner

            Field Trip: State Indian Museum

 Chapter 3: Exploration and Early Settlements

            Lesson 1: Explorers Come to California 
            Lesson 2: Newcomers to Alta California 
            Biography Page: Junipero Serra 
            Lesson 3: Other Kinds of Settlements 
            Lesson 4: Mission Life 

 Chapter 4: Mexican Rule in California

            Lesson 1: Mexico Wins Its Freedom 
            Lesson 2: Rise of Rancho Economy 
            Primary Sources: A Diseño 
            Lesson 3: Life on the Ranchos 
            Biography Page: Juana Briones 
            Field Trip: Carmel Mission

Chapter 5: California, Here We Come!

            Lesson 1: Americans Move West 
            Biography Page: James Beckwourth 
            Lesson 2: Trails to California 
            Lesson 3: Americans in California 
            Lesson 4: The Mexican American War  

Chapter 6: Statehood for California

            Lesson 1: The Gold Rush 
            Primary Sources: The Life of a Forty-Niner 
            Lesson 2: The Effects of the Gold Rush 
            Lesson 3: California Becomes a State 
            Biography Page: Biddy Mason 
            Field Trip: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park