Students Create History (Page 1 of 2)	
Students Create History	
When people work together "a lot can be accomplished.  Great dreams c
an come true," says Alex Lehman, 
science teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School in Madera (Central California city).  Lehman’s 
science students dreamed of honoring one of California’s most precious resources by naming San Joaquin 
Soil Series (group of soils with similar characteristics) the official state soil — because San Joaquin soil 
helps support the agricultural industry in California which 
feeds millions of people around the world.
The San Joaquin Soil Series covers over 500,000 acres of 
land.  It is made from the runoff of swollen streams from 
the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  Twelve states have 
honored their agricultural industry by adopting official 
state soils —  Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Nebraska, 
South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. 
"Before I thought soil was just dirt and I didn’t think much 
about it.  But now I know it’s an important resource," said a student who worked on the soil proje
ct.  King 
Middle School students gathered nearly 1,000 soil samples from all over 
California and tested soil for 
texture	 (percent sand, silt, clay); 	critter count	 (microscopic organisms and bugs); and 	filtration rate	 (how 	
fast water goes through soil).  San Joaquin Soil is found in the following counties:  Butte, Fresno, Kern, 
Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, and Yuba.  
After completing soil research, King Middle School students studied 3 steps in the law-making process —
How to turn their 	idea	 for official state soil into a 	legislative bill 	and then into 	California law	.  The 	
lawmaking process was discussed in social studies classes; rough-draft b
ills were written in English classes 
as well as poems about San Joaquin soil; displays for the soil science f
air were completed in science and art 
classes; and an official state San Joaquin soil song was written in music classes.  "Press on; nothing in the 
world can take the place of courageous persistence and determination,"
 said science teacher, Mr. Lehman.  
When the bill was complete, a senator was found to sponsor the bill in t
he California legislature.  Senator 
Dick Monteith of Modesto thanked the students for their "courage, for
esight, and stick-to-it-ivness."  When 
he first went to the California Senate floor to present the bill, the bill was voted down because of a political 
squabble (argument).  The senators were too busy arguing with each other to think about a state soil.  	
Even though the King Middle School students were disappointed, they trie
d 
again by going to Sacramento and talking to other senators in person.  This 
time it worked.  The bill was passed.  On January 1, 1998, San Joaquin Soil 
Series was named the official state soil.  With this project, students learned 
the truth in a Native American saying, "	Tell me	, and I will forget.  	Show me,	 	
and I may not remember.  	Involve me,	 and I will understand."

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Students Create History (Page 2 of 2)	
Fun Facts About California	
1. What was the dream of Lehman and his students?
2. From what is San Joaquin Soil Series made?
3. List 5 other states that have official state soils.
4. a) At first, what did the student think soil was?  	
b) What does the student now know?	
5. a) What number of California soil samples did 	
students gather?  b) For what 3 things did they 
test the soil samples?  c) What did they discover?	
6. List 3 steps in the "law-making process."
7. What did King Middle School students do in:  
 a) social studies classes?  b) In English classes?  	
c) In science and art classes?  	
 d) In music classes?
8. What is the name of the senator who sponsored 	
the bill in the California legislature?	
9. Why was the bill voted down?
10. a) What did King Middle School students then 	
do?  b) Did it work this time?	
11. On what date was the bill passed?
12. What 3 truths in the Native American saying 	
did the students learn?	
13. What is the California state:  a) Nickname? 
  b) Colors?  c) Mineral?  d) Mammal?  
 e) Rock?  f) Fish?  g) Bird?  h) Insect?  i) Tree?  	
j) Fossil?  k) Folk dance?  l) Soil?	
14. a) Do you think it is possible for students at 	
your school to turn their idea info a California 
bill, then help the bill become a California law?  
b) Describe one idea you have for a California 
bill and law.	
Desert Tortoise: 	 State reptile.	
Golden Trout:  	State fish.  Native to	
California. Found in the icy streams of 
the high Sierra mountains.
Dog-Faced Butterfly: 	 State insect.	
It is found only in California.
Redwood: 	 State tree in both types: Coastal	
and Sierra.  Except for Oregon, forests of
redwood trees are found only in California.
Golden Poppy: 	 State flower.	
California Valley Quail:  	State bird.  	
Bear Flag: 	 State flag.  It was first used in 1846 by 	
American settlers during uprising against rule from 
Mexico.
Saber-toothed cat: 	 State fossil.	
West Coast Swing Dance:	  	
State dance.
Square Dance:  	State folk dance.	
San Joaquin Soil: 	 State soil as of January 1, 1998, 	
due to the efforts of Martin
Luther King Middle School
students and teachers in 
Madera.  San Joaquin
soil is found only in 
California.	
Eureka: 	 State motto.  A Greek 	
word meaning "I have found it" 
referring to the discovery of gold.
The Golden State:  	State 	
nickname because California 
development and prosperity 
(financial well-being) began with 
the discovery of gold.	
Blue and Gold:  	State colors.  	
These colors are also used as 
school colors for University of 
California (UC) campuses.
I Love You, California: 	 State song.	
Gold:	  State mineral.  California has	
produced more gold than any other state, and gold 
can still be found in some stream beds.
California Gray Whale: 	 State marine mammal.  	
Gray whales can be seen swimming the coast of 
California for their annual 14,000 mile migration 
from the Arctic to Baja.
Serpentine:	  State rock.	
Benitoite:	  State gemstone.	
Grizzly Bear:  	State animal.  	
Appears on the State Flag and the 
Great Seal.