Spanish California
revised 9-4-15
Places to Go
Mission San Rafael Archángel
1104 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
1104 5th Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901
Olompali State Historic Park
Novato, CA 94945
Novato, CA 94945
Sweeney Ridge
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
San Bruno, CA
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
San Bruno, CA
Classroom Curriculum
Interact makes a California Missions curriculum.
Students are in "sailing crews" who journey to California and trade with the missions.
The trading and sailing challenges part of the simulation are awesome. The student guide is a solid non fiction source which I often use for summary. The sailing journey is based on student research of all 21 missions. That seems a fairly time consuming way to learn about this period of history.
Whispers along the Mission Trail by Gail Faber and Michele Lasagna is an "old school" curriculum (1986) which provides a solid overview of the Spanish explorers and mission life at a 4th grade reading level.
The discussion questions, glossary, and extension activities are worth exploring.
Students are in "sailing crews" who journey to California and trade with the missions.
The trading and sailing challenges part of the simulation are awesome. The student guide is a solid non fiction source which I often use for summary. The sailing journey is based on student research of all 21 missions. That seems a fairly time consuming way to learn about this period of history.
Whispers along the Mission Trail by Gail Faber and Michele Lasagna is an "old school" curriculum (1986) which provides a solid overview of the Spanish explorers and mission life at a 4th grade reading level.
The discussion questions, glossary, and extension activities are worth exploring.
Books, Maps, Websites, and Videos
The study of the missions is a part of a traditional 4th grade California history curriculum.
Therefore, there are many grade level appropriate non fiction texts on every California mission.
Here are three that I found at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL).
Contillo, Oscar. Discovering Mission San Francisco de Asís. New York: Cavendish Square, 2015. Print.
California Missions.
Edgar, Kathleen J., and Susan E. Edgar. Mission San Francisco de Asís. New York, NY: Rosen, 2001.
Print. The Missions of California.
White, Tekla N. San Francisco Bay Area Missions. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 2008. Print. Exploring
California Missions.
Also with access to a library card, SFPL has a series of social studies fact cards
that provide overview information about each mission.
Andrew Galvin, curator of Mission Dolores, made a fascinating short video
offering a Native perspective on the missions.
Therefore, there are many grade level appropriate non fiction texts on every California mission.
Here are three that I found at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL).
Contillo, Oscar. Discovering Mission San Francisco de Asís. New York: Cavendish Square, 2015. Print.
California Missions.
Edgar, Kathleen J., and Susan E. Edgar. Mission San Francisco de Asís. New York, NY: Rosen, 2001.
Print. The Missions of California.
White, Tekla N. San Francisco Bay Area Missions. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 2008. Print. Exploring
California Missions.
Also with access to a library card, SFPL has a series of social studies fact cards
that provide overview information about each mission.
Andrew Galvin, curator of Mission Dolores, made a fascinating short video
offering a Native perspective on the missions.
Another great text is this one about the impact of Europeans on the Native Americans.
Not exactly an elementary reading level but could be used as a resource.
Stanley, Jerry. Digger; The Tragic Fate of the California Indians from the Missions to the Gold
Rush. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.
Not exactly an elementary reading level but could be used as a resource.
Stanley, Jerry. Digger; The Tragic Fate of the California Indians from the Missions to the Gold
Rush. New York: Crown, 1997. Print.
Resources for Adults
A Cross of Thorns, by Elias Castillo
A Time of Little Choice, by Randall Milliken
Children of Coyote: Missionaries of Saint Francis by Steven Hackel
Converting California by James Sandos
Indians, Missionaries, and Merchants, by Kent Lightfoot
Missions of California: A Legacy of Genocide, by Rupert Costo and Jeanette Costo
Saints and Citizens, by Lisabeth Haas
A huge "THANK YOU" to Ethan up at the State Indian Museum for many of these recommendations.