California State University
Life in the Missions of California
Academics explore the topic of life in California Missions for Native Americas. Class members complete a research activity, respond to writing prompts, and engage in hands-on-activities to learn who lived in the missions and what life...
Curated OER
California Indians
Fourth graders discuss the major nations of California Indians, their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends and religious beliefs. They describe the function of Spanish missions and the influence of Catholicism. In...
Curated OER
The Latino Religious Experience: People of Faith and Vision
Students explain why Columbus said the native peoples he encountered when he reached the New World were "a people who lived in God." They explain if Latinos can still be said to be "a people who live in God." Students explain the role of...
Huntington Library
Religion & Spirituality - Exploring the California Missions
The California missions were built with the hope of converting the local Native Americans to Catholicism, but exactly how different were their beliefs to begin with? Through analysis of a series of primary source documents, young...
Curated OER
Martin Luther vs. John Calvin plus Jamestown
Eighth graders, using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast Protestantism and Catholicism. At the beginning of class, they participate in a simulation to explore the beginnings of Jamestown and Roanoke. After discussion and taking...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating and Remembering
Help scholars understand the history, geography, traditions, and art of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Find background information for your reference as well as a detailed cross-curricular lesson plan. Learners compare...
Curated OER
Literature and Thought of the American Colonies
Eleventh graders analyze works by John Donne and Thomas Heriot. In this Colonial America instructional activity, 11th graders examine pieces of literature, documents, and video clips to identify the issues regarding religion in the...
Curated OER
The Protestants vs. The Pope
Eighth graders study the Protestant Reformation. Using a Venn Diagram, they compare and contrast the Protestants to Catholicism. Students read selected pages from their text, write notes, and discuss the information. As a class, they...
Curated OER
World Religions: A Look at the Way the World Prays
An introduction to the characteristics of and differences between five world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism), this presentation will help to clarify some of the confusion surrounding the details of each...
Curated OER
Pre-Columbian Settlements and People
Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.