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Mission Lesson Plans
These free lessons plans were carefully developed to align with California Core Standards in US, World History and Social Studies. Each 75 minute lesson is designed to build on the history told through our immersive experiences, offering an interactive project-based approach for High School students. Read on for an overview of all 3 lessons, or download the attached PDFs to see the full lesson outlines, supplementary materials and instructions, as well a a detailed breakdown of the educational standards each lesson meets.
LESSON 1
A Very Dirty Cup of Coffee: American Cold War Intervention in Central America
American Imperialism and Interventionist Policies, Oligarchies and Military Juntas
This lesson plan provides students an opportunity to examine key documents illustrating the effects of American imperialist and interventionist policies in Central America during the twentieth century.
Essential Question
How did American actions in Central America during the twentieth century destabilize the region, with significant lasting consequences?
Objectives
Cold War, American Imperialism and Interventionist Policies, Oligarchies and Military Juntas
- Explore the ramifications of American imperialist intervention
- Examine key documents to make an argument about this intervention
- Engage in historical analysis to make a defensible historical argument
Materials
- Students will need a pen and blank 8 ½ x 11 paper or the blank umbrella outline
- Example umbrella
Key Ideas
Imperialism, Cold War, Military Juntas, Oligarchies
Assessment
Students will examine the role the United States played in destabilizing El Salvador by creating an outline/essay for a Document Based Question.
Grade and Standards
- U.S. History and World History
- On level through Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate
LESSON 2
Centerpiece of a Bygone Era: The Boom-and-Bust Cycle of San Francisco’s Mission District
Immigration, Resistance, Advocacy and Cold War Politics
This lesson plan gives students a chance to synthesize the cycles of immigration in San Francisco through periods of boom and bust in the twentieth century through a key medium of the twentieth century, newspapers.
Essential Question
How did immigration affect the Mission District in San Francisco through cycles of boom and bust in the twentieth century?
Objectives
- Explore the different immigration patterns in the Mission District
- Synthesize the broad trends of the twentieth century
- Visualize and identify modes of resistance to displacement
Key Ideas
Immigration, Displacement, Cold War Politics
Assessment
Students will synthesize the boom-and-bust immigration trends in the Mission District by creating a newspaper from the perspective of those living in the Mission.
Materials
- Students will need markers, large poster paper, their computer.
- Example Newspapers
Grade and Standards
- U.S. History and World History
- On level through Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate
- Historical and Social Science Analysis Skills (p727-728)
LESSON 3
Twin Pillars of Conscience: Exploring Sanctuary and Civil Disobedience in History
San Francisco, Sanctuary Cities and Civil Disobedience
This lesson plan gives students an opportunity to pull the concept of sanctuary away from the political implications, locate it as part of the historical timeline, and relate it to American interpretations of civil disobedience.
Objectives
- Examine the historical precedent of the concept of sanctuary
- Understand the concept of civil disobedience as interpreted by American society
- Relate the concepts of sanctuary and civil disobedience to the Sanctuary City Movement in San Francisco in the 1980s and the decision of the city to declare itself a sanctuary city in 1989.
Key Ideas
Imperialism, Migration, Sanctuary
Assessment
Students will explore the idea of sanctuary cities through the historical concept of sanctuary and American interpretations of civil disobedience.
Materials
Students will need a pen and a computer.
Grade and Standards
- U.S. History and World History
- On level through Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate
- Historical and Social Science Analysis Skills (p727-728)
