Ms. Ruiz's Fourth Grade Field Trip to Mission Basilica San

Diego de Alcala

California’s First Mission

Standard 4.2- 3

Describe the Spanish exploration and colonization of California,

including the relationships among soldiers, missionaries, and Indians (e.g. Juan Crespi, Junipero Serra,

Gaspar de Portola)

Objectives

• Students will learn when and why Spanish settlers came to California

• The role that Native Americans, Religious leaders, and soldiers played

• Students will also map out the California Historic Mission Trail

List of Materials

• Students are required to bring a lunch as well as water on the day of the field trip.

• The mission tour is not always on level ground, so students will need to wear adequate walking shoes.

IntroductionMission de Alcala is the first religious settlement on the Pacific

Coast. It was founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra, who was named the Superior of the Franciscans, and Gaspar de Portola, the military leader.

The purpose of mission establishments was to convert local Indians to the Christian faith. The Native Americans were not welcoming at first, but soon become friendly; however a revolt did occur and the Natives burned much of the mission down. The mission was promptly rebuilt, but this time like a military fortress.

Spanish colonizers introduced livestock, fruit, vegetables, cattle, horses, and ranching. These introductions had a large impact on the Native Americans.

Presentation at the Mission

• Historically trained Docents will take the students on guided tours of the mission.

• Why the missions were established in California, early mission life, and conversion of Native Americans will be discussed by the Docents.

• Students will also be able to learn about the artifacts and architecture at the mission.

• Cross-cultural differences between the Spanish settlers and Native people, which played a large role in the colonization on California, will be addressed.

Learning Activity:California’s Historic Mission Trail

• There will be a map activity given to the students to complete at home after the field trip.

• Students will be given a map of California and they will need to draw in El Camino Real.

• After mapping out El Camino Real, they will fill in where each of the 21 missions of California are located.

Evaluation:

• 1. Who was the founder of Mission San Diego de Alcala? • a. Fermin Lasuen

b. Gaspar de Portolac. Junipero Serrad. Sebastian Vizcaino

• 2. Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded....?• a. July 16, 1769

b. September 21, 1769c. April 21, 1782d. June 14, 1804

• 3. What Indian Tribe was in the area of the San Diego de Alcala Mission?• a. Gabrielino

b. Yumac. Mohaved. Salinan

• 4. Mission San Diego de Alcala is know as...?• a. King of the Missions

b. Mother of the Alta California Missionsc. Princess of the Missionsd. Queen of the Missions

• 5. Who did the actual building of the missions?• a. construction companies

b. the priestsc. the soldiersd. the local Indians

• 6. What happened to the missions in 1834?• a. They opened

b. The Indians took overc. Secularizationd. nothing

• 7. Mission San Diego de Alcala was the...?• a. only church that has been completely rebuilt

b. only mission without soldiersc. first of the California Missionsd. only mission with a bell tower

• 8. The water system at the mission was...?• a. built by soldiers

b. is on the Navajo reservationc. used to irrigate the fieldsd. a complete failure causing a long draught

• 9. What happened in 1775?• a. Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded

b. Secularizationc. Missions were taken over by Mexican priestsd. Indians attacked the mission

• 10. What did Abraham Lincoln agree to in 1863?• a. Formally return the Mission lands to the Church

b. Run for President of the United Statesc. Visit the San Antonio de Padua Missiond. force the Indians to leave the Mission

An in class quiz can be given after the lessons and field have been completed

National Geography Standards

• How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information.

• The process, patterns, and functions of human settlements.

• How forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth’s surface.