4th Grade California Expert Report & Project
Each fourth grade student is required to supplement their study of
California history by becoming an expert in an area of California’s history
that interests them. Once they decide on a topic, they need to begin
collecting and reading information on that subject from a variety of
resources (at least 2 different types). Next, they need to write their report,
create their project, and prepare for their oral presentation. This is a
wonderful way to learn about California’s rich heritage, history, and culture.
There are many topics that you can choose. Any aspect of the history of
California will work. Some ideas are:
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The gold rush- The Big Four
A mission
Early explorers to California
Native American Indian Groups (Chumash, Maidu, Miwok, Modoc,
Mojave, Pomo, Yokut…)
California and the Transcontinental Railroad
California and the Civil War
Japanese internment camps (Mancanar)
Chinese in California
The history of the movie industry in California
Earthquakes in California (a few bigger ones being 1857 Ft. Tejon
earthquake, 1933 Long Beach earthquake, Loma Prieta earthquake,
1872 Lone Pine earthquake, 1994 Northridge earthquake, San Andreas
Fault, 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Sulmar earthquake, or Whittier
Narrows earthquake.)
California’s National Parks (Cabrillo National Monument, Death Valley
National Park, John Muir National Historic Site, Redwood National Park,
Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park…)
California’s State Parks (Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument,
Sonoma State Historic Park)
The Mexican War for Independence
Bear Flag Revolt
 California’s geography (ideas: 4 km. peaks of California, Alcatraz
Island, Regions Channel Islands, Mount Whitney, Salton Sea, Mojave
Desert…)
 Ecology of California (ideas: American Black Bear, Bigcone Douglas Fir,
Bighorn sheet, California Black Oak, California Golden Bear, California
Juniper, California Poppy, California Sea Lion, Joshua Tree…)
 Government in California
 California’s Bridges
The written report should be organized with an introductory and concluding
paragraph. The report should include a variety of details about your topic.
This could include any or all of the following: facts about the specific topic,
the impact on California’s economy, the difference it made in the future for
California, names and dates, cultural influences, and descriptive details.
The report will reflect your knowledge of your chosen topic.
Please be prompt in choosing your topic as I will only allow one student per
topic.
All students need to have their topics first approved by a parent and then
given to the teacher no later than: Friday, March 25th.
The topics mentioned on this list are only ideas. I’m open to other
suggestions and topics as well. Topics can only be selected by ONE
students in the classroom on a “first come, first serve” basis. If your topic
has already been selected by another student, you will have to select
another. So you may want to have more than one in mind. The sooner
you decide on your topic the more likely that you will get your first choice.
Your Topic: ________________________________________________
Parent Signature: ___________________________________________
Teacher’s Initial for Approval: ____________________
REQUIREMENTS
 REPORT
 A 200-400 word report (approx. 2 pages double spaced 12 font typed or
about 4 pages hand written in neat cursive.
 The written report should be organized with an introductory and concluding
paragraph. The report should include a variety of details about your topic.
This could include any or al of the the following facts: facts about the
specific topic, the impact on California’s economy, the difference it made in
future California, names and dates, cultural influences, and descriptive
details. This report will reflect your knowledge of your chosen topic.
 Title Page: (Title, name, number, date, teacher)-Page 1
 Report: background information on your topic, facts, details,
descriptions of important people/ groups and places involved in
your topic…- Pages 2-3 if typed, or pages 2-5 if hand written.
Remember to put information into your own words. Do not
copy entire sentences from sources.
 Timeline of important events/ dates- Page 4 if typed, page 6 if
hand written
 Other interesting information- extra pictures, brochures, etc.
page 5 if typed, or page 7 if hand written
 Bibliography- sources of information- at least 2, make sure you
write it correctly, use the attached guide, page 6 if typed, page
8 if hand written.
 PRESENTATION
 5 minute presentation
 Summarize your written report ( you may use note cards, DO NOT
READ YOUR REPORT)
 Completely share your project with the class
 You can video tape your presentation and bring it into class as well.
 If you have created a power point presentation, please make sure
you bring it in on a flash drive or CD so I can open it on my computer
for the class to view.
 PROJECT
 You may choose one or both of the following ways to demonstrate your
knowledge of your topic.
 Display board with neat labels and realia (information, pictures, objects,
etc.
 Model- not bigger than your desk- PLEASE DO NOT BUY PREPARED KITS!
PURCHASED MISSION MODELS WILL RECEIVE AN INCOMPLETE GRADE.
 Other-Clear with your teacher (power point presentation or video with a
small display board).
How do I start:
____Step 1: Choose a topic that interests you. It must be tied to our
standards for Social Studies. You may choose any topic relevant to
California History. Look in your social studies book for ideas or refer to the
previous page.
____Step 2: After your topic and project are approved by your parent and
teacher, begin your research. Go to the public library for books.
Appropriate sources include: social studies textbook encyclopedia, other
books, and the Internet. Begin completing the graphic organizer provided
in this packet and then begin your rough draft. Make sure to list all of the
resources/ books that you use and note the bibliography requirements page
for more information.
____Step 3: Complete final draft essay. Prepare and practice speaking
using note cards for your oral presentation. I will be looking to see if you
understand your information clearly and accurately. Make sure that you are
finding and recording the required information. Make sure that you are
working on the other remaining parts of your project.
____Step 4: Create your project. It should be visually appealing, colorful,
and a neat reflection of your learning. The project should indicate your
time and effort devoted to your topic.
____Step 5: Continue to practice your presentation in front of an audienceparents, friend, etc. Have them time you and give you feedback. Your
presentation should reflect your knowledge of the topic. Speak loudly and
clearly while looking at your audience. Use your note cards for reference
and DO NOT READ THEM.
Use this calendar as a guide for the next couple months to ensure that the entire
project is completed on time. As I said in class, there should be NO late projects as
students have almost 3 months to work on this. Have each section initialed by your
parents as it is completed. Parents should edit and spot check your work. DO NOT
THROW THIS PAGE AWAY. IT WILL BE WORTH POINTS. YOUR TEACHER WILL BE
SPOT CHECKING FROM TIME TO TIME AS WELL.
Item
Due Date for
PARENT to check:
1. Begin research by using books, internet, library, social studies None- this is ongoing
book, magazines- remember that you need to use at least 2
sources. Keep track of the sources that you use because you
need a bibliography- see attached page for format.
Complete graphic organizer to plan out your essays main ideas
and details.
2. Rough draft- double spaced, 2 pages typed (12 font, 1 inch
4/15
margins) or 4 pages hand written in cursive
3. Edit first draft, have an adult edit as well. Continue research 4/20
and revise your draft- make it better.
4. Final draft- double spaced, 2 pages typed (12 font, 1 inch
4/22
margins) or 4 pages hand written in cursive
5. Complete Title Page (title, name, date, number, teacher)
4/28
6. Work on your project. Are you building a model, creating a
4/28- decide what
display board with facts, pictures and captions, creating a video
you are doing. Do
or powerpoint? Get started and make sure that it is creative.
you have all of the
materials that you
need? Continue
working.
7. Complete Timeline
5/4
8. Complete bibliography (see the attached page for format)
5/11
9. Note cards for your presentation (remember that you can’t
5/18
use your report). You can use props that you’d like, costumes,
or music.
10. Rehearse your presentation in front of the mirror or in front 5/18
of a family member or friend. Remember that you are the
expert now on your topic, you know more than any of us!
11. Double check and make sure that you have included
5/18
everything from the requirements sheet. Make sure that you
have covered all of the areas in the directions.
12. Entire Project Due
5/20
(If you are absent this day, please plan on having another
student or parent drop off your project at the front office.)
Parent
Initial
EXPERT REPORT GRADING RUBRIC
Written Report: Students will receive a grade for the written report
based on the 4th grade writing rubric.
Expository Writing Genre
Performance Levels
Expository Structure
1
Below Basic
Statements are
related to topic.
Purpose (explain,
describe, etc.) is
apparent. Extraneous
material may be
present.
Advanced
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Proficient
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Basic
Below Basic
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2
Basic
Statements are
related to the topic.
Purpose is apparent.
Main points and
supporting details can
be identified.
3
Proficient
Statements clearly on
topic. Focused and
organized around
main points with
supporting facts and
assertions. Purpose
obvious.
4
Advanced
Statements clearly
organized around
main points with
supporting facts or
assertions. Supports
facts with reference to
prior knowledge.
Uses compare and
contrast in developing
main points.
Oral Presentation
5 minutes in length
Memorize presentation
Speaks in a loud, clear voice
Captures the interest of the audience
Provides information about the contributions made to
California.
5 minutes in length
Uses note cards to aid in presentation (Does not read
them.)
Speaks in a clear, loud voice.
Provides information about the contributions made to
California.
Less than 5 minutes
Reads note cards/ little information provided
Speaks in a low, quiet voice
Less than 5 minutes
Not prepared for presentation
Speaks in a low, quiet voice
Advanced
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Proficient
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Basic
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Below Basic
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Project
Creative, neat, colorful
Attractive layout of information, completely labeled with
pictures, title, and written information (wither typed on a
computer or neatly hand written)
Neat
Good layout of information, labeled pictures, title and
written information
Project appears to be quickly/ poorly constructed, with
little effort demonstrated
No project, or project is not appropriate for topic
Fourth Grade Bibliography
A bibliography is an extensive list of sources you have consulted as you worked on or though
about your document.
For each source listed, begin first line at margin and indent each line that follows.
1.
2.
3.
Follow punctuation of the examples exactly.
If you cannot fine dome information, such as author or place of publication, just leave
it out.
Arrange all sources in one list, alphabetically by first word, which will generally be
either the author’s last name or the first important word of the title.
PRINT SOURCES
Book with one author:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Author, last name first.
Title of book. (underlined)
City of publication:
Publisher, date of publication.
Ex.
Gibbons, Gail Caves and Caverns. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1993.
Book with two authors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ex.
Authors, in order they are listed on the title page.
Title of book. (underlined)
City of publication:
Publisher, date of publication.
Ride, Sally and Tom O’Shaughnessy. The Third Planet. New York: Crown
Publishers, 1994.
Encyclopedia and other familiar reference books:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ex.
Author of article (if available).
“Title of article.”
Title of book. (underlined)
Date of edition. (Volume and page number not necessary if articles are arranged
alphabetically).
 Bigg, Michael A. “Whale.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1992.
 Fehrenbacher, Don E. “Lincoln, Abraham.” The New Book of Knowledge. 1994.
“New Jersey.”
Article in a periodical (magazines, newspapers):
1. Author (if available).
2. “Title of article.”
3. Periodical title (underlines date: page.
Ex.
Bonar, Samantha. “Forecast: Hot and Hotter!” 3-2-1 Contact.
June 1996: 8-10
Neeley, Dequendre. “Retirement complex proposed in Oradell.”
The Record 21 August 1996: NJ1.
ELECTRONIC SOURCES
Encyclopedia and other publications on CD-ROM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Author (if available).
“Title of article.”
Title of product (underlined).
Edition or version (if relevant)
CD-ROM.
City of publication: Publisher, date of publication
Ex.
Garbarino, Merwyn S. “Deleware Indians.” The World Book Multimedia
Encyclopedia. 1995 ed. CD-ROM. Chicago: World Book Inc. 1995.
Musser, Jay C. “Chocolate.” Grolier MultiMedia Encyclopedia. 1992 ed. CDROM. Danbury, CT: Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc. 1992.
ONLINE SOURCES
Encyclopedia from an online service:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Author, if shown
“Title of the article.
Name of encyclopedia (underlined)
Name of publisher, date of publication, if available.
Date of your visit.
Name of the online service you used.
Ex.
“Planets.” Compton’s Living Encyclopedia. Compton’s Learning Company, 1996.
29 August 198 America Online.
Kelland, Frank. “New Jersey.” Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Interactive Inc.
13 July 1998 American Online.
World Wide Web:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Author, if known
“Title of the article.”
Title of complete work (underlined).
Date of your visit.
<full http address>. (enclosed in angle brackets)
Ex.
Clemens, Paul and Robert M. Hordon. “New Jersey.” World Book Online. 12 Dec. 1999
<http://www.worldbookonline.com/na/ar/fs/ar388680.htm.>
Sultzman, Lee. “Delaware History.” 23 November 1998
<http://www.dickshovel.com/dela.html.>
Vallis, Glenn. “New Jersey During the Revolution.” 13 September 1998
<http://www.eclipse.net/gvalis/ggv/NJrev/NJrev.html>.
California Timeline Report
Make a timeline of the important events in California’s history that relate to your topic.
You will need:
A large piece of paper
A pencil
Crayons or markers
A ruler
Date
Write the dates and events in the chart below.
Event
Directions:
1. Cut a piece of paper lengthwise into two equal parts.
2. Tape or glue the two pieces into one long strip.
3. Use a ruler to make a line through the center of the strip.
4. Begin on the left side of the paper and write the earliest date that you want to record
above the line. Make a dot on the line under this date, like this.
1800
_______-_______-_______-_______-_______-_______-_______-_______-_______
5. Under the line below the dot, write the fact or event that occurred.
6. Illustrate as needed.