Grade 3 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 9, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
From Sea to Shining Sea

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 9, Lesson 1: Farming in the San Joaquin Valley (pp. 170-173)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Interconnectedness A wide variety of crops are grown in the rich, fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley.

Ask students to brainstorm a list of their favorite fruits and vegetables, as well as meats they like to eat. Then have them predict which ones they think are raised in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Check their predictions after they read the chapter.

Have a volunteer point to the San Joaquin Valley on a map of California. Have students discuss the climate there and tell why they think crops grow so well in this location.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Ask students to write a list of crops and livestock that are raised in the San Joaquin Valley.
Have students work together to create a poster of products that come from the San Joaquin Valley. They can illustrate it with pictures from magazines or their drawings. Help them label each illustration.

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