Sunday, April 8, 2007

California Missions

There are 21 Spanish Missions in California. Part of the 4th grade curriculum is the study of the California Missions. During the Spring Break, I encourage all 4th graders to visit at least one Mission. Of course, we are very fortunate to live close to Mission San Gabriel Arcangel and most Washington 4th graders visited during a field trip earlier this year. Here are some photographs I took a few years ago:




Father Junipero Serra (depicted in the statue) chose the site of Mission San Gabriel. Today, a street near the Mission is named after him. The Mission Bells represent the path of the old El Camino Real (King's Highway). All of the Missions and Presidios were linked by this road. Designed to look like a fortress, it is the only mission to have 6 bells in it's companario (bell wall).

Final drafts of the Mission Reports will be due on April 27. Mission Projects for extra credit are optional and may be brought to class during that week to be displayed until Open House.

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