THERE ARE NEARLY HALF A MILLION FOURTH GRADERS WHO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA.. AND THEY ARE ALL ASSIGNED A REPORT ON ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S 21 SPANISH MISSIONS.
THE CAFETERIA AT FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ORLAND IS FULL OF STUDENTS EARLY ON A FRIDAY MORNING...BUT THEY AREN'T EATING BREAKFAST. THIS DAY IS THE REWARD FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THESE FOURTH GRADERS HAVE PUT INTO A PROJECT THAT HAS TAKEN THEM THE WHOLE SCHOOL YEAR.
Lisa says, "they learned more...bibliography, table of contents, connect state standards to the report and our history."
THE CALIFORNIA MISSION PROJECT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CURRICULUM FOR EVERY 4TH GRADER IN PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE, AND AS THESE KIDS FOUND OUT, THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF WAYS TO GO ABOUT BUILDING THEIR MISSION.
Trevor says, "we got all the styrofoam, materials, wood, and we just started from scratch."
Lisa says, "there were macaroni noodles, popsicle sticks, just amazing to see different ideas."
Mya says, "it's made out of wood, styrofoam, plastic..."
Hailey says, "cardboard, spray paint, lasagna, dirt, that's about it."
THE 21 SPANISH MISSIONS WERE BUILT IN THE LATE 1700s AND EARLY 1800s, ALL THE WAY FROM SAN DIEGO, NORTH TO SONOMA COUNTY. MYA STUDIED "MISSION SANTA BARBARA".
Mya says, "it's one of the queen missions...I like it because it's one of the biggest two...it was the tenth made."
HAILEY CHOSE "MISSION SAN FERNANDO REY DE ESPANA".
Hailey says, "it was built in 1797 and there's a day...bring candles...next to the church."
TREVOR BUILT A MODEL OF "MISSION SAN FRANCISCO DE SOLANO".
Trevor says, "it was the 21st mission, last built, and it was really fun building it."
ON THIS DAY, 123 MISSION MODELS WERE PRESENTED TO FAMILY, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE OTHER STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL, AND THE KIDS GOT TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT WITH THEIR GUESTS.
Mya says, "it helps bring your family together and learn social studies."
Lisa says, "it's an excellent history lesson...state history...connects Native Americans to current day."
