An Exciting Multi-generational Saga
The Lands of our Ancestors series follows three generations of a Chumash Indian family as they face the dangerous challenges brought by the major eras of California history: the Spanish Mission era, the Mexican Rancho period, the Gold Rush, and the Early Years of Statehood. The books and accompanying Teacher Guides meet state history-social studies standards for the 4th grade.
Check out the books below or click on the button to find out about Educational Discounts.
Historical novels available in paperback and hardcover.
Book One:
Mission Period
This multi-generational, historical saga begins with Book One by depicting what life might have been like during the Spanish Mission Era, as seen through the eyes of two Chumash boys.
Book Two:
Mexican Rancho Era
Book Two continues the saga as the characters grow up and have children of their own who face more challenges in the Mexican Rancho Era.
Lands of our Ancestors Teacher Guide
The Lands of our Ancestors books and teacher guide offer educators an instructional package that meets California State History-Social Science Standards and provides an appropriate alternative for teaching the state history. This includes units on the pre-contact California Native period, the Spanish Mission Period, Mexican Rancho Era, the Gold Rush and Early Statehood. The guide was designed and developed by experienced California elementary school educators and include 1) Historical overviews of each period, 2) Collection of images depicting the era, 3) Words to Know each chapter, 4) Chapter Questions and 5) Student Projects.
Combined Teacher's Guide
Previously there were three teachers guides, one to accompany each novel. Those have been discontinued and replaced with a single volume that covers all three novels. If you are interested in only tracing book one, the combined guide is still an outstanding resource because you will find additional ideas, lesson plans, and classroom activities that can be applied to book one with slight modifications.
Ethnic Studies
This Ethnic Studies Teacher’s Guide accompanies the Lands Of Our Ancestors: Three Generations novel and is aligned with the Native American portion of the California State Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum published in 2024. The guide includes a summary of the approved standards along with student worksheets and answer keys, class discussion questions, student projects, and reading lists that provide suggested resources for further reading and study. An historical summary is featured for each historical time period addressed in the novel.
The novel and teacher’s guide, together, can provide a valuable means of teaching the Ethnic Studies curriculum at the middle school and high school levels. For more information contact Tribal Eye Productions. See contact information below.
Lands Of Our Ancestors: Three Generations
This historical novel for teens follows three generations of a California Chumash family through the Mission Era, Mexican Rancho Period, Gold Rush, and early statehood. From traditional life to the struggles of Spanish colonization, Mexican rule, and the upheaval of the Gold Rush, the story traces their resilience across brutal eras of California history. Reviewed and approved by the Chumash Elders and Culture Dept.
Ethnic Studies Teacher's Guide
This fourth grade teacher guide combines the three previously separate guides that accompany the Lands of our Ancestors historical novel series into one easy to use volume. Whether a teacher is teaching all three eras of California history or just the Spanish Mission Era, this combined guide provides the complete context for all three historical periods, plus ideas for additional classroom activities not found in the guide for book one.
