For Teachers

Duration:

1 minute, 39 seconds

We are excited to welcome you and your students to La Paz, to learn the story of César Chávez and the farm worker movement. Reservations are required for school groups.

 

General Information

César E. Chávez National Monument provides opportunities for students to connect with their local national park site through exploring the rolling hills of Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz in the Tehachapi Mountains. Through free, curriculum-based programming and 4^th grade field trip transportation provided via grants, we have been able to address accessibility issues that otherwise would prevent students and educators from connecting with their public lands. We are offering in-person field trips to the park and curriculum resources for educators to use. We look forward to connecting with students in a safe and welcoming environment. All programs are free for schools.

 

Field Trip Experiences

Connect your students with your National Park Service site and local history through fun, hands-on education programs that meet California Curriculum Standards! Engage your students with the story of Cesar E. Chavez and the farm worker movement with an in-person visit!

Self-Guided Tour

• Explore the monument with your students without a formal guided tour (you will provide the instruction).
• Fall 2024:
  • Monday - Friday
  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Time Slot
  • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Time Slot
• Spring 2025:
  • Monday & Tuesday
  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Time Slot
  • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Time Slot

Guided Staff Tour

• Explore the monument with your students AND park staff on a formal tour. 90 Student Maximum.
• Fall 2024:
  • There are no guided tours in the Fall.
• Spring 2025:
  • Wednesday - Friday
  • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Time Slot

 

Field Trip Reservations

Both self-guided and staff-led field trips to the monument require advanced reservations.

Make a Reservation

Step 1: Book an available time and date at this link.
Step 2: Submit a field trip request form.

Note: Response time varies, depending on the time of year, but please expect a response no earlier than one week after submitting your form.

Cost

Programs are offered free of charge.

Transportation

Thanks to the generosity of the National Park Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids Program, we are able to offer a limited number of bus reimbursements for 3rd – 5th grade classes for the 2024/2025 school year. In order to secure bus reimbursement for your 3rd – 5th grade class, please fill out this Bus Transportation Interest Form.

In order to qualify for bus reimbursement, your students will participate in both an in-classroom ranger visit and an onsite field trip. Please book both of these program options when scheduling your tours.

 

Know Before You Go

Directions and Map

Group Size & Safety

It is recommended to limit field trip groups to 120 students or less with a minimum chaperone to student ratio of 1:10 depending on the age group.

Accessibility

All park facilities are wheelchair accessible.

General Parking/Bus Parking

Free general parking and limited bus parking is located in the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Schedule your field trip ahead of time to increase chances of available bus parking.

Picnic Area

Planning to have lunch at César E. Chávez National Monument? The picnic tables in the National Chavez Center’s Picnic Grounds only a few steps from the Monument Visitor Center are a great place to rest and take a leisurely lunch with your class.

Curriculum Materials for Classrooms

César E. Chávez National Monument : Lesson Plan | CyArk

 

Our Educator's Toolkit is a collection of lesson plans, classroom activity handouts, primary documents, technology-based activities, and resources for K-12 teachers. It's designed to provide educators with step-by-step guidance to enable you to design, implement, and deliver interesting and informative lessons about the life and work of Cesar Chavez. We hope that these materials will help you develop and customize lessons to fit the needs of the students you serve.

 

In-Person Guided Program Descriptions (Offered Wednesday - Friday in Spring 2025 Only)

Staff-led programs generally last one to two hours, not including transportation or lunch time. Expect total time at the park (program, lunch, gift shop, free time) to be approximately two to three hours. Teachers and chaperones are expected to support student learning and positive behavior expectations.

We are allowing a maximum of 3 classes (approximately 90 students) per program (usually 2 busses) due to limited space capacity for busses and restroom accommodations.

Curriculum Based Elementary School Offerings

Champions of Change: Learning Leadership at La Paz (Grades: 3-5)

Transportation funding for local schools may be available.

Length: 1.5 hours
Maximum group size: 90 Students. In order to maintain a high-level interactive educational experience, coupled with the capacity restrictions of our both our restroom and picnic facilities, the maximum number of students per field trip is 90.
Teachers & Chaperones: 1 adult per 10 students
CA Standards Addressed:

• History Standards:
  • 4.4.4: Immigration
  • 4.4.5: Great Depression
  • 4.4.6: Industrial Change
  • 4.4.7: CA’s Water System
  • 4.4.9: 20th Century CA Influence
• Next Generation Science Standard:
  • 4-ESS3-1: Earth and Human Activity
• Health Standards:
  • 4.1.18.S
  • 4.5.3S
• Art Standard:
  • 4.VA: Cr1.2

Description: This guided program involves three stations that give context to Cesar’s childhood, philosophy and tactics. These stations typically include a guided tour of the visitor center highlighting Cesar and the farm worker’s struggle for justice and equality along with a nature walk highlighting nature’s value to Cesar and to each of us.

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For more information about planning an educational program for teachers and school groups, please e-mail us, or use the contact information below:

César E. Chávez National Monument
PO Box 201
Keene, CA 93531
661-579-6134