In this unit, students draw from historical and community resources to organize the sequence of events in local history and describe how each period of settlement left its mark on the land. Students draw from historical and community resources (maps, photographs, oral histories, newspapers) to demonstrate an understanding of the growth and development of their local community. The focus is on the population, land use, transportation, and businesses of the community today and how these areas of the community have grown and developed over time. Students determine the impact of the population boom; the coming of the railroad; the development of new sources of water; and the beginning of new industries such as aviation, agriculture, oil, shipping, and cinema. Suggested unit implementation time is 8 weeks. Following a unit description, the lesson plan provides teacher background; lists focus questions; and presents information and student activities, dividing the topic into: "Beginning the Topic,""Developing the Topic," and "Culminating the Topic." The lesson assessment is integrated with the instruction and occurs throughout the unit and in the "Culminating the Topic" section. The focus questions provide a framework for the evaluation of the lesson. Extended/correlated activities are suggested. Contains an extensive resource list for the sample topic. Appended are sample worksheets and additional information sheets. (BT)