Stefania Cilloniz

LBS 375
Hendricks
2 Dec 2014
Field Trip Assignment
The story of California is very important one for fourth-grade students
to be involved in. Not only is California their home, it is a fascinating study in
its own right. The history of California is the story of continual waves of
immigrants from the sixteenth century through modern times and the lasting
impression each left on the state. These immigrants include the Spanish
explorers and the Spanish-Mexican settlers of the Mission and Rancho period
who introduced European plants, agriculture, and a herding economy to the
region. To bring California history and geography to life for students, we, as
teachers, will emphasize its people in all their ethnic, racial, and cultural
diversity. Our 4th grade students will learn about the daily lives, adventures,
and accomplishments of these California people and the cultural traditions
and dynamic energy that have formed the state and shaped its diverse
landscape. To bring the history of this period to life, we will bring our
students to a local rancho, Rancho Los Cerritos, where we will emphasize the
importance of the people who occupied this land.
Located on Virginia Road in Long Beach, California, Rancho Los Cerritos
is a National Historic Landmark. Because the rancho is still standing today, it
offers a rare glimpse into the life of a mid-19th century Spanish, Mexican, and
American California. It is a two story Monterey style adobe home that was

built in 1844. The culture and heritage of early settlers and their families is
engrained deeps within its walls. Southern California has deep rooted
ranching beginnings that have since been transformed into the modern,
urban society that we know it as today. Rancho Los Cerritos is the last of the
remaining two-storied adobe structures in Southern California. Once part of
an early Spanish land grant, the 27,000-acre Rancho Los Cerritos evolved
from a cattle ranch to sheep ranch, then to a private home before becoming
a city museum in 1955. Now, the site is designated as a State and Long
Beach Historic Landmark as well. The sites current 4.7 acres of landscaped
grounds features trees from the mid-19th century, historic roses, exotic
vegetation and an old water tower. We will use this historic site to help
engage our 4th grade students in Californias rich history by using a time
travel journey to send our students back in time.
Our students will begin preparing for their field trip to Rancho Los
Cerritos by brainstorming what they might see and do during their time at
the rancho, in the year 1845. This will help to get them motivated and
engaged, and will also be a good chance to review all of all the material we
have learned prior to the field trip. Students will be equipped with a time
travel log and will learn how to record their data and observations into it. In
their logs, they will be required to assume a role on the rancho and record
writings, drawings, and pictures of what they see and do, who they meet and
what their job is, and also will be required to choose an artifact and tell how
it is used on the rancho. They will be using the information from their time
travel log as a prewriting tool for their final assignment, a first-person story

that they will share with their classmates in the Time Travel Society. In the
Time Travel Society, students will have a chance to stand in front of their
classmates and fellow historians to orally share their written account and the
specific artifact that they brought back with them. All of these stages of
learning will help to develop a deep understanding of the Grade 4 History
Content Standards, specifically Standard 4.2: Students describe the social,
political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of
California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and
Mexican rancho periods.
It is apparent that this historic little gem located in Long Beach,
California is an important part of Californias history and helps to strengthen
students knowledge of their state of residency. From its humble beginnings
to its modern day cultural role, Rancho Los Cerritos is a great place to visit
with your 4th grade class. Whether you are an elementary school teacher, a
genuine history buff, a hopeful volunteer or just a curious visitor, the ranch
has many things to offer and will remain a historical landmark in the great
state of California.