note: this lesson is part of a Unit called 鈥淟os Californios: California鈥檚 Spanish, Native American, and African Heritage鈥�
Creator:聽Raul Alarcon, UCLA Lab School
Grade Level Recommendation:聽4
To illustrate the challenges the early land-holding families of California (the Californios) faced with the arrival of Anglo-American settlers, UCLA Lab School teacher Raul Alarcon focuses his lesson on Rancho De Buenos Ayres, now present day West Los Angeles and the site of UCLA and its Lab School. Through the analysis of primary source documents and maps, the students鈥� study of the rancho introduces them to political and social issues that extended far beyond the boundaries of one particular land holding during the Spanish and Mexican periods of California history.聽
