In this Grade 3 lesson from California myWorld Interactive, students learn about the lives of California heroes who fought for civil rights and workers' rights, including César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, Charlotta Bass, Fred Korematsu, and Harvey Milk. Students explore key civic vocabulary such as union, strike, boycott, discrimination, stereotype, and advocacy through the stories of these activists and their movements. The lesson is part of Chapter 5: Citizenship and Civic Engagement and helps students understand how individuals can create change in their communities.
Section 1
Farm Workers Organize for Fairness
Farmworkers in California had very hard jobs for little pay. They wanted to improve their lives, but it was hard for one person to make a big change alone.
César Chávez helped the farmworkers join together to make their voices heard. To ask for change, they used a strike. This is when all the workers agree to stop working at the same time to show they are serious about their needs.
Section 2
Heroes Fight for Equal Rights
Throughout California's history, some groups of people faced unfair treatment because of who they were. This is called discrimination. Many brave heroes fought for civil rights, which are the rights that protect everyone and make sure they are treated equally.
These leaders stood up for their communities. Charlotta Bass used her newspaper to demand fairness for African Americans. Fred Korematsu challenged the unfair treatment of Japanese Americans. Harvey Milk became a leader who fought for the rights of gay and lesbian people.
Section 3
Billie Jean King Fights for Equal Pay
For a long time, women were not always treated the same as men. In sports, female athletes were often paid much less than male athletes, even when they played the same game and were just as talented.
Billie Jean King, a famous tennis champion, knew this was wrong. She decided to fight for change, believing that women deserved equal pay for their hard work. She used her voice to demand equity for all women athletes.
Section 4
Community Heroes Serve Others
Heroes are not only famous leaders. Many heroes are people who work in our communities every day to help others.
First responders, like firefighters and police officers, protect people from danger. Members of the military also serve to keep the country safe.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Farm Workers Organize for Fairness
Farmworkers in California had very hard jobs for little pay. They wanted to improve their lives, but it was hard for one person to make a big change alone.
César Chávez helped the farmworkers join together to make their voices heard. To ask for change, they used a strike. This is when all the workers agree to stop working at the same time to show they are serious about their needs.
Section 2
Heroes Fight for Equal Rights
Throughout California's history, some groups of people faced unfair treatment because of who they were. This is called discrimination. Many brave heroes fought for civil rights, which are the rights that protect everyone and make sure they are treated equally.
These leaders stood up for their communities. Charlotta Bass used her newspaper to demand fairness for African Americans. Fred Korematsu challenged the unfair treatment of Japanese Americans. Harvey Milk became a leader who fought for the rights of gay and lesbian people.
Section 3
Billie Jean King Fights for Equal Pay
For a long time, women were not always treated the same as men. In sports, female athletes were often paid much less than male athletes, even when they played the same game and were just as talented.
Billie Jean King, a famous tennis champion, knew this was wrong. She decided to fight for change, believing that women deserved equal pay for their hard work. She used her voice to demand equity for all women athletes.
Section 4
Community Heroes Serve Others
Heroes are not only famous leaders. Many heroes are people who work in our communities every day to help others.
First responders, like firefighters and police officers, protect people from danger. Members of the military also serve to keep the country safe.