Search the California Content Standards

Standard:
Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Standard:
Explain and use the coordinate grid system of latitude and longitude to determine the absolute locations of places in California and on Earth.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Standard:
Distinguish between the North and South Poles; the equator and the prime meridian; the tropics; and the hemispheres, using coordinates to plot locations.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Standard:
Identify the state capital and describe the various regions of California, including how their characteristics and physical environments (e.g., water, landforms, vegetation, climate) affect human activity.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Standard:
Identify the locations of the Pacific Ocean, rivers, valleys, and mountain passes and explain their effects on the growth of towns.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.

Standard:
Use maps, charts, and pictures to describe how communities in California vary in land use, vegetation, wildlife, climate, population density, architecture, services, and transportation.

Standard:
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.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-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.

Standard:
Discuss the major nations of California Indians, including their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends, and religious beliefs; and describe how they depended on, adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation of land and use of sea resources.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-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.

Standard:
Identify the early land and sea routes to, and European settlements in, California with a focus on the exploration of the North Pacific (e.g., by Captain James Cook, Vitus Bering, Juan Cabrillo), noting especially the importance of mountains, deserts, ocean currents, and wind patterns.

Overarching Standard:
HSS-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.

Standard:
Describe the Spanish exploration and colonization of California, including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians (e.g., Juan Crespi, Junipero Serra, Gaspar de Portola).