Synopsis
JB, a Hollywood director, is making a movie -- a tour of early California up to statehood. We'll join her and the cast and crew on the set to watch all the drama of California history unfold. The story begins just before the arrival of Cabrillo in 1542, when we're introduced to the varied Native American tribes settled in California. Then the Spanish arrive with their three-point expansion plan: missions, presidios, and pueblos. As Mexico achieves independence from Spain and the mission era comes to a close, we'll meet the Californios who converted the mission lands to ranches, and then learn about the many people who came west for trade, gold, and other opportunities. Our thrilling blockbuster ends with California's annexation and statehood.
Preview the script and songs!Key Concepts
California Missions -- and More reinforces students' familiarity with the following people, events, and concepts:
- The many Native American tribes settled in California
- History of Spanish claims on California
- Joseph de Galvez's expedition to Alta California for colonization and expansion
- Purpose of missions, presidios, and pueblos
- Establishing the missions; Junipero Serra and Don Gaspar de Portola
- Breakup of missions after Mexico's independence from Spain; effects on the Mission Indians (Native Americans)
- Californios/rancheros and the establishment of ranches on former mission lands
- "Yankee" migration to California for gold and trade (Jedediah Smith); conflicts between locals and newcomers
- James Polk and western expansion
- Discovery of gold; John Sutter and James Marshall
- California statehood and symbols
California Missions -- and More, filled with colorful characters and catchy tunes, is a great complement to your curriculum resources in social studies. And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!
Aligned with national standards! View the standards and vocabulary.Publication Info
Author: Ron Fink (Composer) and John Heath (Book and Lyrics)
ISBN:
978-1-886588-23-3
© 2001
Bad Wolf Press, LLC
Rebecca (verified owner) –
The play is cute and very adaptable. All the students are enjoying the play. The CD singers are very difficult to follow due to pitch and intonation issues. So, I ordered the sheet music and taught the children the songs via use of the piano so they could actually know the pitches. Consequently, they are singing better than the singers on the CD and are more confident. I felt that if we relied on the CD to learn the songs, the singing would be sloppy and out of tune.
Griffin (verified owner) –
Great fun
Skrouse (verified owner) –
This is the third year I have taught this play (this is my second school district) and the all the students really enjoy it. The play was recommended to me by another teacher.
I love this play because the kids learn about the history of California, they get to sing and act, and they become more confident people. The script is simple yet interesting and the songs are catchy. In my class students practice the play just before they are going to recess. Eventually the play occupies more of our class time as we make final preparations to put on a performance for parents and fellow classes.
Lili Husseman (verified owner) –
We performed CA Missions for the 4th/5th grade classes last week. The teachers LOVED it and the kids were mesmerized! They enjoyed watching their friends and classmates perform in a show that had content they have recently been learning. The feedback we received was so positive. We also invited a 1st grade class and I was amazed that even they sat through, no fidgeting, thoroughly entertained the entire time. It was so fun!
4th/5th teacher (verified owner) –
I own four plays now and have been putting on a musical by Bad Wolf Press at the end of each school year now for 10 years. My students are able to learn all the lyrics in a period of two weeks and absolutely love putting on the plays. They beg for time to practice and sing. I love the content imbedded and the connections my students make to their learning. The parents of course love seeing their kids on stage and enjoy the humor of the scripts. I originally purchased the musicals with a CD and was so appreciative to find the music able to be downloaded since I no longer have a CD player.
Leonna Tate (verified owner) –
We have done this play now for three years. I ordered the extra CD's for new teachers in our grade level. The play provides an interesting way to learn about the explorers and mission construction. The songs are easy to learn and the music is engaging. Our class loved it. The parents were very impressed with the content and the vocabulary that was mastered. I highly recommend this play for fourth grade.
Mrs. J Music (verified owner) –
This is a great musical for 4th grade learning about California Missions. However, keep in mind that I did need to adjust and cut out three songs, which was relatively easy to do, as the time on it with seven songs currently is about 35-40 minutes. However, script was easy to modify to time length and I was able to expand parts to meet my 22 speakers, so everyone got a speaking part. The lingo of Galvez is a bit hard for 4th graders (discussing Imperialism?, resumes, etc), so I had to dull down a bit. Parents thoroughly enjoyed.
Mrs. J (verified owner) –
I've been working with my 4th graders on this play and Missions is always a hard unit to teach. It is good to see them portraying the characters and understanding the history a bit more by being part of it than just reading it from a book. The music is also upbeat and I like that it has instrumental/vocal tracks. I've seen this play performed many times and it always works out.