Grade 4 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 8, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Oh, California

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 8, Lesson 2: Growth in Southern California (pp. 190-193)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Change The introduction of the navel orange crop and the arrival of a competing railroad helped southern California's population to grow.

On the board, draw a boxcar on railroad tracks. Label the boxcar "Oranges." Ask students what the two have to do with the growth in southern California. Discuss how the introduction of the navel orange and the arrival of competing railroads created a boom in California.

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

Have students play "Orange Toss." As they toss an orange (or paper equivalent) around a circle, the student holding the orange adds a new fact about the history of oranges in California.
Have students make the equivalent of a family tree using oranges. After they draw an orange tree, have them attach paper oranges showing different information about the introduction and impact of growing oranges to southern California.

Social Studies Center | Houghton Mifflin Social Studies | Grade 4 Home
Education Place | Site Index

You may download, print, and make copies of Lesson at a Glance pages for use in your classroom, provided that you include the copyright notice shown below on all such copies.