acequia: canal (ditch).

natural resources: an aspect of the physical environment that people value and use to meet a need for fuel, food, industrial products, or something else of value.

Sangre de Cristo: blood of Christ.

Tierra Incognita: unknown land.

varas: poles, twigs.

vega: plain, meadow.

1. Ask the students what they know about the “gold rush.” Brainstorm with them what the effects of a gold rush may be, such as positive and negative impacts on both people and the land. Compile a list of these factors.

2. Discuss what a land grant is.

3. Using a map of the United States from the early 1800s, have the students outline where present-day Colorado is. They should be able to see that at the time, it was part of the Republic of Mexico. Refer to the time line made earlier, and have students insert when Colorado became a state.

1. Discuss with the students what makes a legend. Each student should write a legend about how another mountain, La Sierra Blanca (The White Hill), got its name.

2. Have students discuss their thoughts/opinions about which was more valuable, land or gold, to the early settlers of the San Luis Valley. Each student can then write an opinion essay expressing his/her ideas.

3. Middle school students could extend their learning by researching the Taylor Ranch dilemma in the San Luis Valley. This issue directly connects land grant issues of the past and present.