California Missions
A Pathfinder for Grade 4

Good books to start with.

There are several excellent reference books about the California Missions. Use the index of the book to find the words in the boxes below or ask your librarian to help you use the book. Most reference books cannot be checked out.

There are two series of books that have been written with the 4th grade Mission Report in mind. Many of our libraries have placed these books in a special section. Ask the Reference desk for assistance. They are: 

1. J 979.4 - Boule, Mary Null, The Missions: California's Heritage. Vashon, WA: Merryant Publisher, 1988.
2. J 979.4 - ____, The Missions of California. New York, NY: Power Kid Press, 2000.

Some books that will help with the construction your own mission are: 

3. R 626 C153 McCumsey, Robert, California Missions: Measured Drawing, Santa Margarita, Calif. : Learning Windows Publications, 1999
4. R J 979.4 C California Missions: Fact Cards. Milpitas, CA: Toucan Valley Publications, 1993. Quick facts, history and description of each of the 21 missions plus ideas for making a model of a mission.
5. R J 979.4 N Nelson, Libby, California Mission: Projects and Layouts, Minneapolis, Minn. : Lerner Publications, c1998.

SPECIAL NOTE: Because so many of our 4th grade students are researching the missions at the same time, our mission books have a limit of 7 days check out with no renewal.

How can I learn more about the California Missions?

To learn more about your California Mission, you will need to use the following important words:

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala	Mission La Purisima Concepcion	Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Mission San Antonio de Padua	Mission San Buenaventura	Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana	Mission San Juan Bautista	Mission San Francisco de Asis/Dolores
Mission San Francisco Solano	Mission San Gabriel Arcangel	Mission San Jose
Mission San Juan Capistrano	Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa	Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
Mission San Miguel	Mission San Rafael Arcangel	Mission Santa Clara de Asis
Mission Santa Cruz	Mission Santa Inez	Mission Santa Barbara
Missions - California	Serra, Father Junipero

You can use the keywords above to learn more about missions. Go to http://www.library.torrnet.com/  and click on NEW! Online Catalog of Books, Videos, CDs, DVDs & More

In the light blue search box, decide what you will search for: 

Subject 
Word or phrase 
Author 
Title 
Series 
Periodical title (Magazines and newspapers are periodicals)

Next, if you add the keywords juvenile literature to one of the keywords in the boxes above, you will find non-fiction items that the library has. If you add the keywords juvenile fiction to one of the keywords in the boxes above, you will find fiction items that the library has.

Call numbers to locate other books on California Missions: 

917.94 - California travel 
979.4 - California History 
J B Ser - Father Serra

Where else can I learn more about the California Missions? 

Websites: 

• California Mission Studies Association, 
  "Annotated Links to Websites Related to California Missions" - Links to websites on missions and related topics. 
• California Missions: A Virtual Tour
  Featuring two histories for each of the twenty-one California Missions, with beautiful color photographs, fascinating black and white sketches, and, for the first time ever, authentic mission music. This music was written in the missions during the late 1700's by the Spanish padres and the Native Americans who lived and worked there. 
• New Perspectives on the West: Father Serra
  Based on the PBS series, this website gives a brief biographical sketch of Father Serra and others who shaped the West.

People & Places: 

All of the missions offer tours to the public, but two of the missions have special days and programs. 

For more information: · 

• Mission San Juan Capistrano has many educational programs that would interest families. Check their website for dates, times and cost. 

Swallow Days - celebrates the return of the swallows on St. Joseph's Day (officially March 19). Festivities include pageantry, the traditional bell ringing at the sight of the swallows, entertainment, tasting ethic foods and live music. Check website for actual date and time.

Living History Society - On the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. -2 p.m., individuals portray Native Americans, founding padres, soldiers or Leather jackets, Weavers and Gold Miners.

• La Purisima Concepcion in Lompoc is a state park. Park visitors have an opportunity to experience the mission coming alive 7 times a year. Participate in some of the different crafts that helped make the mission a community. Check their website for dates and times.

Torrance Public Library--Youth Services
(310) 618-5964
http://www.library.torrnet.com