Grade 4 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 13, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Oh, California

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 13, Lesson 1 The Past Shapes the Future (pp. 292-295)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Scarcity The decisions and events in the past affect the present and the future of California.

Have students recall the issues around building the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Discuss the affects of building the aqueduct on the Owens Valley. Then have students write a list of ways they and their families conserve water. Ask them why conserving water is so important to California today. Record their responses on the board.

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 plan and hold a three way debate concerning water issues in California. The three teams should represent the past, present, and future. Each group should write the arguments for their different points of view and make sure each team member can defend the team's position.
Have students make a paper chain of events that describes in pictures and words the history and a prediction for the future of California's water supply. They can use long, narrow strips of paper. Have them glue their paper chain together.

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.