The Land and Early People
BIG IDEA:
People in California have
always interacted with their
environment and been affected
by it.
Common Core 4.1 & 4.2
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 What are the major physical
and human features of
California, and how do they
affect life in the state?
 What are some nations of
California Indians, and where
do they live?
 How were California Indians
affected by their environment?
Early California
BIG IDEA:
Explorations led to
interactions between
Europeans and California
Indians.
Common Core 4.2 & 4.3
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 What land and sea routes did
Europeans first take to
California?
 How did the Spanish mission
system affect people and
settlements in California?
 What was the effect of
Mexican rule on people in
California?
The Road to Statehood
BIG IDEA:
New opportunities and
discoveries attracted many
people to California.
Common Core 4.3 & 4.4
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 Why did people travel to
California, and what routes did
they take?
 How did the discovery of
gold change life in California?
 What events led to statehood?
Growth and Development
BIG IDEA:
The years after statehood were
a time of great change for
California and the U.S.
Common Core 4.4
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 How did transportation and
communication in California
change?
 How did the California
economy change?
 How did the movement of
people to California affect the
state?
 How were water and land
resources modified to support
California’s growing
population?
Progress as a State
BIG IDEA:
Human and natural events
changed California, the U.S.,
th
and the world during the 20
century.
Common Core 4.4
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 How did world wars and
economic depression affect
Californians?
 How did agriculture and
industry change in California?
 How did California’s water
system grow?
California Today & Tomorrow
BIG IDEA:
Californians are proud of their
history, government, and
heritage.
Common Core 4.4
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 What industries are important
to the California economy
today?
 What are the functions of
each level of government?