January 6-13

Theme: Alta California and Ramona

RAMONA DIG

Each DIG we present is part of a wonderful story Camp Internet is unfolding for your students over the year. In the Fall, the DIGs covered Native Life and the first European explorers. Now, as our story of the Channel Islands progresses, we are moving into ALTA CALIFORNIA.

 

The novel RAMONA is an American Classic by Helen Hunt Jackson and captures this period of life in California in colorful and politically astute ways. In addition to the value of the novel, students can study the amazing life of Helen Hunt Jackson, a VERY outspoken and determined advocate for protecting Native Americans and their way of life.

We have a NEW Ramona section online, complete with the Wyeth illustrations from the early publications and the full e-text. We also cover Helen Hunt Jackson’s different efforts to change government policy regarding treatment of the First People of California. Teachers will benefit by reading these resources in-depth, and can then assign students different research projects related to her biography, writing, and the historical events of her time. This is a great teaching opportunity AND a wonderful professional learning opportunity for teachers of California History and American Literature.

Did you know that Helen Hunt Jackson rode through California visiting sites to help her portray the scenes in Ramona ? One of her stops was at the RANCHO CAMULOS that is in the Santa Clara River Valley inland from Ventura, near I-5. This site is now a historical monument undergoing renovations. Camp staff had a chance to visit this beautiful site, and you could feel and see the scenes from Ramona unfolding on the grounds. We recommend a visit if possible for your own professional development! A picture of the rancho is in the DIG this week.

Encourage your students to check out this book from the library and READ CALIFORNIA!

January Student Showcase

For this month we have changed the FIELD REPORT ROOMS under each Expedition Track to become a center for you to POST your student’s Fall work. Please make sure each entry includes students and school name in the Your Handle box. And if you have not yet done your SCHOOL INTRO, you can still add those too. Any / all formats / types of reports are welcome.

These are very important self-publishing activities for student skill building AND become an important part of our Camp Internet GIS map so showcase your student work PROUDLY!