Discovery Kits
Bring local history into your classroom with our interactive Discovery Kits! Each Discovery Kit includes lesson plans, books, DVDs, and dress-up clothes, as well as reproduction artifacts that students can touch and interact with. They contain everything you need to create a hands-on history exhibit in your classroom.
Designed to align with the 3rd- and 4th-grade History/Social Studies content standards, they are ideal for all elementary-age children. HAHS Discovery Kits are also easily customized to cover the Language Arts, Visual Arts, Science, and Environmental Education Standards.
Reservations for Discovery Kits must be made at least two weeks in advance by phone or by using this form. Please call the Education Department at (510) 581-0223 for more information.
Fee: $30 per week
Pick-up/Drop-off on Fridays
Discovery Kits are replica steamer trunks that measure 31 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 16 inches tall. They weigh approximately 30-40 pounds, but do have wheels on one end. Please ensure you have space in your car when picking them up!
The renter will be responsible for replacing any lost or damaged items ($20 minimum)
Classrooms in Title I Schools within the Hayward Unified School District may qualify for a fee waiver thanks to support from the Community Services Grant from the City of Hayward.
Ohlone Discovery Kit
Who were the first people to live in this area, and what was life like for them?
The Ohlone Discovery Kit was created in collaboration with cultural consultants from the local Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and with feedback from teachers and students. The aim of the curriculum is to tell the story of the local Muwekma Ohlone people as they want it to be told, to question and counterbalance earlier narratives, and to tell a more complete story of Ohlone history in the East Bay.
The curriculum consists of 6 units, each containing 1-2 slide decks, reflection prompts, classroom activities, individual worksheets, and a video featuring contemporary Ohlone voices. Also provided are teacher readings, a vocabulary list, a pronunciation guide, slideshow resources, a timeline, and supplemental resources.
ALTA California Discovery Kit
California was once a part of Spain and Mexico. What was the experience of those living at Mission San Jose and the ranchos of the East Bay?
The goal of the curriculum is to increase students’ knowledge of Alta California, as the area was once known, emphasizing the impact of Spanish and Mexican culture on today’s local community and society at large.
The Alta California Discovery Kit contains suggested activities, background information, and student worksheets. The curriculum consists of 5 units, each containing recommended activities, replica artifacts, period clothing, primary resources, images, videos, music, and maps that help bring the lessons to life. Also provided are teacher readings, a vocabulary list, a timeline, and supplemental resources.
Early Settlers Discovery Kit
How did the communities of Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo get started?
The curriculum in this kit begins with the end of the Mexican era, when California became a state, and former gold miners and other immigrants began to settle here. It includes the latter half of the 19th century, as Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo grew into agriculturally based towns.
The Early Settlers Discovery Kit contains suggested activities, background information, and student worksheets. The curriculum consists of 5 units, each containing recommended activities, replica artifacts, period clothing, primary resources, images, maps, music, and period toys that help bring the lessons to life. Also provided are teacher readings and supplemental resources.
Immigration Discovery Kit
Who has come to California and the Hayward area over time, and why?
The Immigration Discovery Kit lets students learn about the stories of 12 children who represent different waves of immigration/migration to the Hayward area over time.
In this kit, you will find heritage bags of artifacts for each child, lesson plans, images, and storybooks that reflect the different waves of immigration/migration. The stories of these children provide insight into the experiences of immigrants and offer historical information about why people came here, how they got here, and some of the traditions they brought with them.
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