The mission is due in class on or before February 12, 2009. The mission should be a scale model of  the California mission that your child has already picked out and had approved.  Please know that the Santa Barbara mission was not an acceptable choice since we should all know about that one.

The model needs to be of the whole mission not just the church part.  The model needs to be 3 dimensional, not too fragile to be moved by 9 and 10 year olds, large enough to see detail, small enough to fit through the classroom door (we have had a problem with this).

The mission may be constructed from just about anything that will achieve the look you want. (ie. Cardboard, sugar cubes, lasagna, styrofoam, wood, plaster, etc.)  Michaels (and perhaps other craft stores) have styrofoam models for you to construct and embellish-if you purchase one, see me about making it not warp!!  (These are expensive and will have no effect on the grade one way or the other)

This is a project that parents may be a significant part of, but please remember that it is the child's project, they need to do the majority of the designing and constructing.

Parts to consider and perhaps include in your model:

a. Church
b. Bell tower
c. Priest quarters
d. Cemetery
e. Livestock
f. crops
g. Indian quarters (or huts)
h. Fountain
i. Kitchen/dining area
j. use your imagination

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to drop me a note, send me an email to labadie@notredamesb.org, come by before or after school (make sure you check in at the office), or call school, 965-1033, and leave me a message.  There is lots of information on the web and in our library.  The city library also has a lot of information and your child has a "Mission Book".  On the web they can search with Yahooligans, Ask Jeeves for kids,  or other search engines.  Mrs. Viani has provided a list of links posted below.  Scroll down...