Teaching California history can be complicated.
There is so much to learn about our state: from Native tribes to missions, agriculture to government -- all in one school year. And California has multiple standards for history and social studies that have to be to fulfilled. It takes precious time and energy to find resources and activities for each topic.
You have a lot on your plate.
Teaching California history and social studies can be stressful if you don’t have good materials at your fingertips. And textbooks often leave much to be desired.
Whether it is searching for activities on the internet or teacher-to-teacher websites, it takes time away from the other things you have to do as a teacher -- including having space for yourself and your family.
I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I'm a professor, translator and researcher of early California. I've spent years teaching future teachers about our state's rich history.
A few years ago my friends started asking me to help supplement what their children were learning at school, so I started the California Frontier Project. Through my website and podcast I provide well-researched and accessible information all about California's history and cultures.
Soon I began traveling around to elementary schools, giving talks to 4th grade classes. I saw some of the struggles good teachers had -- too much to cover and not enough time.
I realized good information wasn't good enough.
So I decided to use my passion and knowledge to actually make high-quality, no prep, grade appropriate materials for California history and social studies. Materials that could save teachers time and lower their stress.
You don't have to be the expert.
I have created well-researched history and social studies resources that will keep students engaged -- while fulfilling state content standards.
Save yourself the effort of coming up with new materials each week. Our resources are all ready for download and use.
It's done for you.
Download thoughtfully-designed materials that will keep students engaged while fulfilling California content standards.
Each unit is self-contained and includes:
- A slide presentation
- A teacher background text
- A content standard alignment statement
- A grade level text to accompany the slide presentation
- A reading comprehension activity (fill-in-the-blanks)
- A multiple choice quiz
Bonus materials include:
- Guides to all 23 California missions
- California mission project
- Guides to California's Native American tribes
- California Native American Project
- Timelines
- Maps
...and more.
Sample Units
We're adding new ones all the time.
- Introduction
- 2.1 California Indians: Geographic Distribution
- 2.2. Early Land and Sea Routes to California
- 2.3. Spanish Colonization of California
- 2.4. The Spanish Missions
- 2.5 Daily Life at a Mission
- 2.6. Franciscans and the Economy of California
- 2.7. Mexican Independence and California
- 2.8. The Rancho Era in California
- Introduction
- 4.1. The Pony Express, the Telegraph and the Railroad
- 4.2. The Transformation of California
- 4.3. Immigration to California: 1850-1900
- 4.4. Immigration and the Growth of Cities
- 4.5. The Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War II
- 4.6. New Industries in California
- 4.7. California's Water System
Simplify with confidence
No more last-minute prep or searching on teacher marketplaces.
Materials ready for substitutes when you need time off.
Know that everything is standards-aligned.
Have your whole year taken care of in one place.
Controversial topics addressed in an age-appropriate, inclusive and non-divisive way.
