Books in Social Studies: Informational Text series

Bridget "Biddy" Mason was an African-American midwife, nurse, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former slave who influenced the history of Los Angeles and California. Learn about her fascinating life with this primary source biography that builds students’ reading skills and promotes social studies content knowledge. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Explore the culture and history of three California Indian tribes--the Yana, the Yokuts, and the Tongva--with this primary source book. California's Indian Nations builds students' reading skills and promotes social studies content literacy. The dynamic primary sources such as maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in reading. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Introduce students to the history behind California’s iconic Spanish missions with this nonfiction book that builds students’ reading skills and promotes social studies content literacy. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Beaches, mountains, valleys, farmlands, and deserts are all part of the unique geography of California. Students will learn about each of these regions with this primary source reader that builds students' reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Junípero Serra was an influential Franciscan missionary who created missions that stretched from San Francisco to San Diego. His impact on California is still felt-and debated-today. Introduce students to his life with this nonfiction biography that builds students' reading skills and promotes social studies content literacy. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Where does California’s water come from? How is it used? Why is it important to conserve water? This text teaches students the answers to these important questions, and uses primary sources to simplify this complex topic and make it interesting to students. This nonfiction book builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Introduce students to the history of California's state government! Students will learn how California's three levels of government work together to make, enforce, and interpret the laws in this primary source reader that builds students' reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Alta California contained most of the land that makes up what is now the Southwest. In 1821, the land was controlled by Mexico. Its leaders made many changes including ending the Spanish mission system. Alta California became more diverse as its economy grew and changed. Explore the history of Alta California with this primary source title that builds students’ reading skills and promotes civics and social studies content literacy. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

California has a long, storied past. There was a myth that it was an island. Spanish explorers thought they would find cities paved in gold there. When they did not, they left for over 100 years. It’s hard to imagine that California’s early explorers did not see its value. Explore California’s rich past with this nonfiction book that builds students’ reading skills and promotes social studies content literacy. The dynamic primary source maps and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Learn how the gold rush shaped California’s population, economy, citizens, and cities with this primary source book that builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The dynamic primary source maps, letters, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to accommodate different reading levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

Learn about the creation of the Transcontinental Railroad and how it influenced the state of California with this primary source text that builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

This nonfiction book focuses on the history and growth of four cities in California: Fresno, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. This primary source text builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.