California! Coming to a New Land Created by Ms. Mary Ann Rechtfertig This activity inspires and motivates 4th graders as they gain skills and knowledge stated in California's State Content Standards. Students take on the identity of Ice Age people who are journeying to California over the Bering Land Bridge. They ask questions, read, discuss ideas, take virtual tours, and illustrate ideas. They learn to use graphic organizers and writing rubrics as they compose a multiple-paragraph narrative. Most importantly, students have fun while they are also learning.

A. Information for Students

1. Animals of La Brea Tar Pits Timeline Find animals to use as characters in your narrative. 2. Exploration Guide for La Brea Tarpits 3. Land of the Mammoth Listen to information about the sabertoothed cat (a carnivore,) and several herbivores. 4. Information on Ice Age Carnivores and Herbivores	5. Ice Map 6. The Bering Land Bridge 7. Can You Survive the Ice Age? 8. Did People in the Ice Age have pets? Dogs were domesticated (tamed,) and they protected people and property.They also pulled loads. In your narrative, you may only have dogs as pets.

B. Students Use these Virtual Tours of California Regions In this project, students explore virtual tours of each of the four California regions.

C. Information for Teachers to Use with Students A. People During the Ice Age B. Names for Students to Use in New Land C. Survival Questions D. What is Culture? E. Our Modern Culture F. Final Project Title Page G. Project Overview and Assessment