CALIFORNIA MISSION PROJECTChoose a

COMPLETE AN OUTLINE OF INFORMATION

The outline is where you’ll get your information for your project.

You’ll add/create details as you go along.

You are only limited by your own imagination.

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WHAT IS AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY?

Definition: An account of a person's life written by that person

AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY FATHER SERRA

You will write from Father Serra’s point of view.

Chapter 1: The Natives When I first arrived at the San Gabriel Mission, I was greeted by the Tongva Indians. Later, I met the Chumash tribe that occupied most of the area in this valley. …. Both the Tongva tribes and the Chumash tribes built strong canoes……….

Example:

Remember:•Use the first person (I, me, we, us…) through out the entire book.•Create a “mind movie” of the events for the reader.•Invent details that you imagine Fr. Serra might have seen or experienced.•Use the outline to write the paragraphs. (The capital letters are your star ideas, and the dashes are your details.)

CREATE A MISSION HANDBOOK

You’ll have to pretend to sell this book to your class, so make it look nice.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

•It should look like a book when it is done.•Each section needs pictures with captions.•Each section has 1-2 paragraphs.•The information for each section will be found throughout the outline.

SERIES OF CARTOONS

What is a cartoon strip?

THINGS TO REMEMBER•Start by creating quick sketch-quick notes to use as your rough draft.•Use your outline to get ideas for each section.•You must use the Spaniard’s point of view. •It should be funny or entertaining.•Think about how you will act it out in front of the class.

SERIES OF LETTERSWrite your letters from the neophyte’s (Indian’s) point of view.

June 1, 1773Dear Unni, It has been six months since I was first brought to this place. Who would believe that the soldiers actually forced me to walk here from our village at gunpoint. I miss the days we spent gathering nuts and berries…….. I wonder if the Tongva people will forget………..

Your Loving Sister,

Beena

July 3, 1773Dear Unni, Everyday I spend at the San Gabriel Mission I learn something new. I wake up each morning………. The land that the priests have chosen for this mission is fertile land. It seems that almost anything will grow ……..

Your Loving Sister,

Beena

Examples

THINGS TO REMEMBER• The mission priests and

soldiers may be reading the letters, so a neophyte wouldn’t say anything too negative about them.

• The last letter before the war is the only secret letter, and it must be persuasive.

• Give at least 3 reasons why the Indians should stay at the mission or revolt.

May 1, 1783Dear Unni, Life at this mission has become unbearable. I believe it’s time we join together and start a revolt. There are many reasons why, and once I present them to you, you will understand why I’ve had to send this letter by secret messenger. First, the soldiers who are here are extremely unkind to us……

Hopefully, Beena

This is the letter that you will read to your class. Yes, you must dress up like an Indian.

Example

MORE THINGS TO REMEMBER

• The very last letter is written after the Mexican War, so you must describe how your life has changed since the downfall of the mission.

May 9, 1835Dear Unni, I hope this letter finds you well. I can’t believe how much my life has changed since I left the mission behind. Last month, my people were told that we would get back half of the land near this pueblo….. I am a great grandmother now, but still…….

Love always, Beena

Example

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

• Read the entire description of the assignment.

• There are many details that must be included in the final project.

WRITE A ROUGH DRAFT• The rough draft is simply the first attempt at the writing

portion of the assignment.

• I expect that as a student works on the project the writing portions will be edited and revised at least once.

• On the due date for the rough draft, I want to see that the student has attempted to write his ideas down.

• It may be handwritten on white-lined paper or blank paper.

• Use complete sentences and paragraphs for the autobiography, series of letters and handbook.

• Quick Sketch-Quick Notes are only an appropriate rough draft for the series of cartoons.

Have fun with it!

Don’t really do it. You might get in trouble.