This handbook outlines the grade 4 course entitled "People of a Region: California." A statement of the California philosophy of history-social studies education precedes the handbook's three sections. The first two sections present major goals of the overall program, an overview of social studies content for grades K-6, and a chart of content areas for grades K-12. Section 3 describes the topics, concepts, skills, learning activities, and media resources for the fourth grade level. Topics covered include community-state relationships, peoples of California, California geography, state history, state leaders, state government, California's place in the United States and the world, and the future. Appendices contain California education codes concerning history and social science instruction and the observance of special events. (LP)