Grade 4 · History
Goal
Explain how California became a state and how its new government was different, using details from the text.
You'll need
Scissors, a glue stick, and crayons.
Help with the hands, not the answer
Add these words to the student's AAC device before the lesson
state, law, constitution, government, vote, governor, leader, slavery, ban, war, Mexico, Monterey, Spanish, English, California
Words from the check are left out on purpose.
What's in this packet
Standards the check measures
CA Common Core ELA RI.4.3: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
CA Common Core ELA RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area. (See grade 4 Language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.) CA
CA Common Core ELA L.4.2.d: Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.
Related, but not fully taught or measured here
CA History-Social Science (grade 4) 4.3.4: Study the lives of women who helped build early California (e.g., Biddy Mason).
CA History-Social Science (grade 4) 4.3.5: Discuss how California became a state and how its new government differed from those during the Spanish and Mexican periods.
These are California's standards. Outside California, check the code and wording against your state's framework before citing them in an IEP.
Activity answers
Color the answer. Where did leaders write the plan? Monterey. Who could vote in 1850? Only white men.
Before or after?. Under Mexico: Before 1848; Governor chosen far away. A state: After 1850; Voters choose the governor
What happened?. 1. War with Mexico ends 2. Gold brings new people 3. Leaders write a plan 4. California becomes a state
What does it mean?. Constitution: a plan for government. Vote: choose a leader. Ban: do not allow. Governor: leader of a state
Spell the word. VOTE
California was part of Mexico until the United States won a war against Mexico in 1848. Then the Gold Rush brought many new people, and they needed laws.
In 1849, leaders met in Monterey to write a constitution, a plan for the government. Some leaders spoke Spanish and others spoke English, so the work was done in both languages. They wrote a ban on slavery into the plan.
On September 9, 1850, California became a state. Under Spain and Mexico, rulers far away usually chose California's governor. Now voters chose the governor, but only white men could vote.
Color the right box.
Where did leaders write the plan?
Who could vote in 1850?
Sort the cards.
Under Mexico
A state
Cut out along the dashed lines
Put them in order.
Cut out along the dashed lines
Match each one.
Cut out along the dashed lines
Spell this word.
Cut out along the dashed lines
How the student chose answers (mark one)
Independent, adult could not see
Independent, adult could see
With touch, a held device, or cues
Mark the last one if anyone touched the student, held anything for them, or cued them while they chose. Help with cutting or gluing after they chose doesn't count as support, but an adult who saw the choice means "adult could see."
Help after the student chose
Results
Date ____________ Check run by (role) ____________________
| Item | Standard | Student's answer | Right? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RI.4.3 | ||
| 2 | RI.4.3 | ||
| 3 | RI.4.4 | ||
| 4 | RI.4.4 | ||
| 5 | L.4.2.d | ||
| 6 | L.4.2.d |
Each question with four choices can be guessed right 1 time in 4. These 6 items are too few to conclude from alone. The on-screen report waits for 20 items at a level.
Biddy Mason was born into slavery. In 1851, the man who enslaved her brought her to California. California's constitution banned slavery, but he still held her and her family. In 1856, she went to court in Los Angeles, and a judge ruled that they were free. She worked as a nurse and helped deliver many babies. She saved her money, bought land in Los Angeles, and helped start a church.
Choose your answer, then color its box.
How did Biddy Mason win her freedom?
Why could the judge rule that she was free?
Choose your answer, then color its box.
In this text, what does court mean?
In this text, what does deliver mean?
Spell the word for the person who decides a court case. Choose each letter. Glue them on the strips.
Cut out along the dashed lines
Spell the word for a person who cares for the sick. Choose each letter. Glue them on the strips.
Cut out along the dashed lines
Keep this away from the check, and use it only for scoring afterward.
| Item | Standard | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RI.4.3 | How did Biddy Mason win her freedom? | She went to court |
| 2 | RI.4.3 | Why could the judge rule that she was free? | California banned slavery |
| 3 | RI.4.4 | In this text, what does court mean? | A place where cases are decided |
| 4 | RI.4.4 | In this text, what does deliver mean? | Help babies be born |
| 5 | L.4.2.d | Spell the word for the person who decides a court case. | JUDGE |
| 6 | L.4.2.d | Spell the word for a person who cares for the sick. | NURSE |