The Big Idea Activity

What happens when different peoples first meet?

Conduct an Interview About How Life Changed

  California 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.

Interview

Teaching Tips

Students may take the part of a Native American who has lived both in and outside of a mission or of someone interviewing the Native American.

Additional Links

For more information on California missions and their history, go to the California Mission Studies Association Web site.

Research some excellent links appropriate for fourth-graders on this Native Americans Web site.

The Web site sponsored by theCalifornia Historical Society provides in-depth information on Native American life before Spanish settlement.


Elsie Allen

  California 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.

Basket

Teaching Tips

Explain to students that Elsie Allen was a great influence in promoting the traditions of her culture.

Additional Links

Visit this Web site for more information about who Elsie Allen was and about her basket artistry.


San Juan Capistrano

  California Standard 4.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California. California 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.

San Juan Chapel


Additional Links

For more information on the history of Calfornia's missions, go to the following Web sites.
History of California's Missions

Play About the Missions, Their Founding and History

The following Web site includes a link to San Juan Capistrano as well as several links to other sites about the California missions.
California Missions Web Site