When Can These Eighth-Grade Lessons Be Taught?

While each part of this curriculum may be taught as a block, the lessons also are designed to be integrated throughout your U.S. history curriculum. 

Part I: Manifest Destiny and California

Lesson 1: Motivational Game

• Introduction to the Gold Rush

Lesson 2: Tapping into the Myths of California Today. Poster

• At the beginning of the year, to establish a theme of "myth and reality"
• During Westward Movement
• At the end of the year as a culminating activity

Lesson 2: What Students Already Know About the Gold Rush 

• Introduction to the Gold Rush

Lesson 3: Myths and Perceptions of California in the Past 

• Before a review of the establishment of Jamestown, as these early myths precede that event
• At the beginning of Westward Movement 

Lesson 4: Values and Beliefs of Manifest Destiny

• Westward Movement 

Lesson 5: Using Primary Sources to Discover Some of the Realities of the Gold Rush

• Westward Movement
• Culminating Activity
• During or at the end of the Gold Rush in Westward Movement 

Part II: Gold, Greed and Government

Preliminary Exercise: Presidential Poll 

• At the beginning of the year as an awareness activity
• Before the Mexican-American War in Westward Movement 
• At the end of the year as a culminating activity 

Lesson 1: Statehood for California 

• After the Mexican-American War in Westward Movement 
• At the end of the year as a culminating activity 

Lesson 2: California's First Constitution 

• As a compare/contrast activity after the U.S. Constitution, noting issues of slavery and Indians in both 
• After the Mexican-American War in Westward Movement 

When To Teach

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