Make It Your Mission

Make It Your Mission

Spanish missions are distinctive features of South and Southwestern United States. Easter time is a good time to discover these historic structures.

CONNECT:

• Read about the role of Spanish missions in US history at https://www.history.com/topics/religion/california-missions
• See how Spanish missions were built: http://www.designing-america.com/contenido/the-spanish-missions-in-the-united-states/?lang=en
• Read about the cultures of Texas missions at https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Remember the Alamo! At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTCcnbzSMc8

CREATE:

• Sing about missions with these songs set to familiar songs: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/songs.htm
• Use games to teach about missionaries: https://oureverydaylife.com/childrens-games-to-teach-about-missionaries-12083036.html
• Use a map to virtually walk on the California Missions Trail: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/feature/california-missions
• Try living in a mission with these activities: https://education.texashistory.unt.edu/lessons/notebook/SpanishMission/docs/Mission_PlacardC_J.pdf

CARE:

• You can use crafts to remind the family about missionary work and caring for others at https://www.ehow.com/info_8170549_missionary-crafts-kids.html
• How were people cared for in mission times? It depends on whom you ask. Here is an indigenous perspective: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/its02
• Read how the National Park Service is trying to preserve historic Spanish Colonial missions: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelspanishmissions/architecture-and-preservation.htm
• Many missions were made of adobe clay; here is how to maintain it: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/5-adobe-buildings.htm

CAREERS:

Want to make it your mission to work on missions? You can be an historian, a preservationist, an archeologist, an anthropologist, a park ranger, an architect, a photographer or artist, a landscaper, a writer, or even a religious member. Get inspired from the possibilities.

https://www.drkit.org/historic-preservationist/

https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/preservation-planner

https://today.uconn.edu/2011/08/the-impact-of-anthropology-on-native-american-culture/#

https://www.saa.org/about-archaeology/archaeology-as-a-career