In social studies, the fourth graders are learning about the time when this area was under Mexican rule. In an effort to populate California after the mission system was dismantled, the Mexican government gave out land grants. The fourth graders will be traveling back to those times and writing a letter to “Governor Valencia” to convince her to give them thousands of acres of land for ranching, farming, and establishing pueblos. Their letters must describe the land that they wish to acquire along with a map of the area, and they must state what they will be using the land for. Depending on how convincing the letters are, Governor Valencia will approve or deny the requests!