Mission Period
Subject Matter: Social Studies
Grade Level: 4th
Lesson Objective: Learners will demonstrate knowledge about life in early California during this time and understand the different perspectives and effects this period had on both Native Americans and missionaries and what outcomes this period played in California's development.
Subject Matter Content Standard: 4.2 Students describe the social, political, cultural,
and economic life and interactions among people of California from the
pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.(http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf)
Background: The Mission Period took place in California from 1769-1833. We will examine some websites that describe the Spanish exploration and colonization of California, including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians, describe the daily lives of the native and nonnative people who occupied the presidios, missions, ranchos, and pueblos, and discuss how the development of the missions changed the economy of California
Use the following sites to help you answer questions in your scavenger hunt:
* Hispanic Heritage (Information
about Junipero Serra, daily life, architectural style, and Native
Americans)
* California Missions Resource Center (Timelines,
stories, galleries, information on art, daily life, food, etc.)
* California Mission Life (Information on mission life, Junipero Serra, and mission economy)
Essential Question:
How did the Mission Period affect the course of California's history?
Questions:
* Why did the Spanish build the missions?
* What was mission life like for the missionaries?
* What was mission life like for the Native Americans?
* How did one travel from mission to mission?
* What kind of animals/livestock were found at the missions?
* What goods were produced at the missions?
* What role did the development of missions play on Native American culture?
* What role did the development of missions play on California's economy?
