University of California
Impact of the California Missions on Native Americans
While the Spanish claimed to bring civilization to California indigenous peoples, in reality, they also brought violence and forced assimilation to European values. Primary sources, such as the reports of Catholic priests and Europeans...
Curated OER
Mission System of Texas
Students create a storybook about Texas missions including the history of why they were built. They research and create pictures depicting how and why the missions were built. They write and illustrate the primary groups of people found...
Curated OER
Life of a Mission - From Beginning to Now
Middle schoolers research the history of a Spanish mission. They create a timeline showing the major events of the mission. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson plan.
Curated OER
California Missions
Fourth graders explore the Spanish influence upon California missions. Using the internet and other resource tools, they research a particular mission and write about its schedule, events, and beliefs. In groups, 4th graders create board...
Curated OER
A Bishop's Description of the Christianized Indians of Spanish Florida, 1675
Students explore mission life in La Florida as observed by a Spanish bishop who visited in the 1670s. In this Spanish Florida lesson, students recognize the value of primary sources in illuminating the past and consider factors such as...
Curated OER
Las Misiones de California
Fourth graders work in partners to complete a series of activities. After reading the introduction, Students select a role of either a "Padre" or "Indigena." As partners, they need time on the computer for research as well as time to...
Curated OER
California's Mission/Rancho Era
Fourth graders complete a variety of activities as they study the Spanish colonization of California, including the relationships among missionaries and Indians and their interactions with soldiers and people in the pueblos and ranchos.
NASA
Let's Investigate Mars
Take your science class on a hypothetical field trip to Mars with an engaging astronomy lesson. After first learning about NASA's Mars rover missions, young scientists plan their own scientific investigations of Earth's...
Gobal Oneness Project
Building a Community of Trust
Barrio de Paz is the story of Nelsa Libertad Curbelo, a nun, who works with the gang youth of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The 17-minute documentary focuses on her explanations for the rise of gangs and for how gang culture reflects...
Curated OER
Space Flight Simulation
Students engage in the study of flight with the help of a computer flight simulation. They take part in a variety of activities that imitate the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Students work as teams like the astronauts would to complete mission...
Curated OER
Spanish Colonization: The Anza Expedition
Learners research the Spanish explorations and North American geography. They create web pages based on their study.
Curated OER
Exploration and Settlement of the American Southwest
Students scrutinize the Zuni Pueblo Revolt in this seven lessons unit on early Spanish explorers in the American southwest. The discovery of the Spanish missions, the search for the seven cities of gold, and particular geological...
Curated OER
Geografia de Espana
Students play a board game called "Geografia de Espana. The object of the game is to reach the desired destination or region according to the color chosen by each play or group. Each player takes a turn to spin the spinner to find out...
Curated OER
Savvy in Sacramento
Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...
Curated OER
Coming to California
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
Curated OER
Rincon History Museum
Students visit the Rincon History Museum in California. They discover different periods in the state's history and discuss. They view the art and explain what can be learned from it.
Buck Institute
Buck Institute for Education: Pblu: The 22nd California Mission
When fourth graders are required to learn their state history, this California teacher takes it across the curriculum implementing a project-based learning unit highlighting the Spanish Mission Era of California in the 18th and 19th...
Other
Uintah Basin Tah Project: Dominguez and Escalante Expedition 1776
The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776 was tasked with finding a route overland from Santa Fe, New Mexico to a Spanish mission in northern California. This page provides biographies of the people on this journey as well as the maps...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Spanish & Mexican Policy
How were the Native Americans of Texas affected by the Spanish rule from 1716 to 1821? How did Indian life change when Texas was led by Stephen F. Austin? This article addresses the relations between Indians and white settlers, as well...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Mission Possible: Spy a Book! (Bilingual Resources)
Explore history, culture, adventures, spies, secret codes, and mysteries through this collection literary activities and resources. Includes poems, clip art, and ideas for crafts.