Viviana Prado

April 15, 2015

History and Social Science Reflection
History and social science covers areas of the United States history and politics in
elementary school. To teach history and social science I need to cover three categories they are
knowledge and culture, democratic understanding and civic values, and skills attainment and
social participation. These areas will teach the students how to become good citizens and
understand about the United States history. To teach history and social science I need to know
California history which starts with the Spanish in the 1700s. I need to know the Spanish period
and the Mexican period. Also I need to know about the California missions and how California
became a state. I would also need to know the different American Indian tribes like, where they
lived what they ate, and the names of the tribes. Also I need to know about the first three pueblos
that were established in California one being Los Angeles. Another thing I need to know the
United States geography, all 50 states and their capitols and the U.S. constitution.
In my History 301 class I learned about local history, about the South Bay. I also had to
learn about my ancestors to have a better understanding of my culture. I learned the origin of my
last name and how it has traveled or changed throughout the years. When I was learning about
my family history I also had to do research about the history of the United States. In my History
375 class I learned about California History. In this class we went over the Spaniards traveling
from Mexico up the coast to California to stop the Russians from taking over. I also learned how
and why the missions were built throughout the coast of California. Also, we went over the South
Bay history, Los Angeles history, and the gold rush. We also went over American Indian tribes

from California. In addition, we learned about the Chinese during the gold rush and about the
Japanese during World War II.
As a future teacher I need to be well prepared to teach elementary school students history
and social science. I am well prepared to teach California history. I know how California was
established as a state. Also, I know how the state was started in the 1700s when the Spaniards
took over the land. I can teach about missions and the gold rush as well as, Los Angeles history. I
feel less prepared to teach about the different American Indian tribes. In the third grade students
learn about the tribes from the local region from long ago and in the recent past. I need to go
over the local tribes in order to teach the students about them. I also feel less prepare to teach
about the U.S. constitution and the political life in California.
In my portfolio I will share my family time line that also includes U.S. history and my
family tree. I will also share California maps that show the physical characteristics of California
and a map about my neighborhood and a newsletter that I made with a group about the Chinese
in California. My artifacts demonstrate my knowledge about culture history. Also, it shows my
knowledge of the geography of California and the history of the Chinese in California.