School Curriculum

The City of Laguna Hills welcomes you to the Early History of Orange County – Discovery, Settlement, and Land Use Curriculum Guide. This curriculum guide has been developed to coordinate with the City’s Civic Center Public Art Program. Laguna Hills is committed to utilizing art in public spaces to educate students about the early history of the Saddleback Valley and Orange County, California.

We welcome you to utilize the guide, class activities, and tour opportunities to enhance your student’s understanding of Orange County’s early inhabitants, the changes in the use and ownership of the land, what remains of our past, and how the past has shaped our present.

Educational Programs
Teachers may schedule docent led tours of the Laguna Hills Civic Center throughout the year at no charge. Docent volunteers cater to the visiting group’s grade level and will place emphasis on certain subject areas per the teacher’s request.

3rd Grade School Tour
In this tour, emphasis is placed on the changing use of land in the Orange County area.  Beginning with the life of the American Indian, students will be exposed to the different cultures, to the events that changed land uses, and how the rich land of our area sustained each settlement.

Pre-Visit Activities

Post-Visit Activities

4th Grade School Tour
For the 4th grade tour, emphasis is placed on the Rancho Period of early Orange County.  Discussion includes how and why land ownership changed, how each culture was affected, and how the rich land of our area sustained each settlement.

Pre-Visit Activities

Post-Visit Activities

5th Grade School Tour
Fifth grade students will be exposed to the settlement patterns of the Orange County area.  Emphasis will be placed on the economic and geographic opportunities of the area. Students will discuss how the present is connected to the past, identifying both similarities and differences between the 2, and how some things change over time and some things stay the same.

Pre-Visit Activities

Post-Visit Activities

Plan a Visit And & Tour
To schedule a tour of the Laguna Hills Civic Center, contact the Community Services Department at 949-707-2680.