End of the Missions

Students first create a chart summarizing what they have learned about the Spanish missions in Texas. Then they examine the factors that led to the closing of the missions. Next they give the missions a pass/fail grade and explain the grade. Finally, they create a poster celebrating Spanish culture in Texas.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Overview

In this experience, students first create a chart summarizing what they have learned about the Spanish missions in Texas. Then they examine the factors that led to the closing of the missions. Next they give the missions a pass/fail grade and explain the grade. Finally, they create a poster celebrating Spanish culture in Texas.

Estimated duration: 30–40 minutes, unless you want to allow more time to summarize the unit and to let students be creative with the activity in scene 4.

Experience Article

A summary article is included in the student pack to support students with the core content from the experience. This article can be used as a reference for students who need additional support reviewing key ideas about the experience.

Vocabulary Words:

These vocabulary words are used in the experience or connect closely to the standards and content students examine. Students should understand these terms as they work through the experience.

mission: a religious settlement started by the Spanish to convert Indigenous people to Christianity and support Spanish settlement in Texas
friar: a Catholic religious leader who worked in the missions and helped teach Christianity
secularized: no longer run by the church and used for other purposes, such as a town or military use
Indigenous people: the first people who lived in Texas before Europeans arrived
culture: the language, customs, beliefs, and traditions shared by a group of people
Spanish culture: the language, customs, and traditions brought by the Spanish that still shape Texas today

Objectives

Explain why mission activity was stopped.
Describe the Spanish cultural contributions found in Texas.

Engage

In this unit you have learned a lot about the Spanish missions in Texas. Now you will learn why the Spanish stopped their support of the missions.

Objectives

Explain why mission activity was stopped.
Describe the Spanish cultural contributions found in Texas.

Map of the Spanish Missions in Texas, 1659–1795

First, as a class summarize what you know about missions. If someone has already listed what you know, try to think of something else to post.

Use student posts to correct any misconceptions before this concluding experience about the Texas missions.

Students do not need to post in the table in order to proceed to the next scene.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.