Fantastic Places in the Golden State

Start by asking students when they moved to California/how long they have lived here, what was the first interest place they visited or what activity they did when they got here; if they have lived in other states in the United States and if so, how it compares to living in California.

Start by asking students when they moved to California / how long they have lived here, what was the first interesting place they visited or activity they did when they got here if they have lived in other states in the United States, and if so, how it compares to living in California. 

Tell students that they are going to play a short game to find out what they know about some state facts. Divide students into two to four teams or just have one large team of all the class members. Open the Bamboozle game in a web browser before projecting. Select "Play" and choose "Bamboozle Play for Free."

• Select the number of teams and the grid size (number of questions).
• Select Quiz, Classic, or Classic Junior. The latter two have power-ups, such as teams giving away or gaining extra points. You can select to toggle on or off the various power-up options with the "Power-Ups" button.
• Have the first team select a number. Show the question.
• Select "Answer." If the team answers correctly, select "Okay!" or if not, "Oops!"
• Continue with the next team until all questions are answered and there is a winner.

Ask students if they know why California is called the Golden State. Tell them the following:

California is called the Golden State because of its history of gold rushes, which have played a significant role in the state's development. The first gold rush in California began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma. This discovery sparked a rush of people to the area, leading to the establishment of the city of San Francisco and the rapid growth of the state. The nickname "Golden State" was officially adopted by the state legislature in 1968.

Preview the following conversation questions. Then put students in pairs or small groups for conversation.

1. What are some must-see tourist attractions in California?
2. What is the best time of year to visit California?
3. What are the most popular beaches in California?
4. How is living in California different from living in other parts of the country? How it is different from living in your native country?
5. What are some unique experiences to have while visiting California?
6. What are some must-try foods when visiting California?
7. What are some lesser-known, but still amazing, tourist sites in California?
8. What are the best outdoor activities to do in California?
9. What are the best road trips to take in California?
10. What are the most popular events and festivals in California?
11. What are the best cities to visit in California?
12. How do the different regions of California differ from one another?
13. What are some hidden gems in California that not many tourists know about?
14. What are some fun activities for families to do in California?
15. What are the best national parks to visit?

Tell students that they are going to learn some commonly-known and less commonly-known facts about California and then make a presentation about a place they have visited or would like to visit in the state.

Distribute the handout Facts about California and give students time to preview it in order to focus their listening. Play the video 10 Facts about California (2:12), pausing as needed for students to fill in the spaces on their handouts. Repeat as needed and then have students compare their answers with a classmate. Optionally, assign half of the class to listen for the even facts and half for the odd-numbered facts and then pair them up to share their answers.

Ask students what was the most interesting or surprising fact they learned.

While in pairs or small groups, students can tell their classmates any answer they know for the following questions:

1. What products are made in California?
2. What food is grown / Which crops are raised?
3. For who or what California was named?
4. What is California nicknamed?
5. What animal is California represented by?
6. What is depicted/shown on the state seal?
7. In what industries is the most money made in California?
8. Where is the computer and information industry located?
9. How much of the US fruit and vegetables are cultivated in California?
10. Do you know whom the Americas were named for?
11. Do you know by whom the Americas were named?

As a whole class, find out if students knew the answers to any of the questions. Restate or write correct answers in passive voice, as applicable.

Distribute the handout Present and Past Passive - California. Use the video or your own explanation to teach how to form a passive voice for present and past verb tenses. Have students take notes.

Have students complete the practice sentences on the handout Present and Past Passive - California. Check students' work. Tell students that they will use these verb forms in delivering an oral presentation about an interesting place to visit in California.

Distribute the handout Fantastic Places in the Golden State - Presentation Prompt. Go over the assignment details and demonstrate how to use the internet to search for information and images. Have students prepare their slides, check over the content, and then have students deliver their presentations.

Sample

Use a checklist or rubric to provide feedback to students or have students complete a peer review form or self-evaluation tool, such as a Google form.

Students will be able to conduct short projects to create and deliver an oral presentation using target grammar forms and a visual aide.