Students brainstorm how the European empires funded the exploration expeditions. Then they examine the goals of the Spanish missions and presidios. Next they interpret a map of the Spanish missions and presidios in Texas. Finally, students create a timeline of the history of settlement in El Paso.
Students read an introduction explaining Spain’s power during the Age of Exploration and the goals of Spanish settlement in Texas, then view an image of Mission Concepción. They recall what they have learned about the costs of exploration and respond to a word cloud prompt by suggesting ways a European monarch might raise money to fund a new expedition.
Teacher MovesPresent the lesson overview, vocabulary, and objectives. Encourage creative thinking as students brainstorm funding ideas, and prepare them to see how Spain actually addressed this problem in the next scene.
Students review background information about Spanish and French competition for Texas and view an image of Mission Espada. They read an explanation of how Spanish friars established missions to convert Native Americans to Christianity and support Spanish settlement, how presidios protected missions and territory, and how these institutions shaped ranching and town development. Students then complete a drag-and-drop activity matching “mission” and “presidio” to their correct definitions.
Teacher MovesRemind students of prior learning about Spanish and French claims in Texas and explain Spain’s strategy of using missions and presidios to secure territory. Clarify the differences between missions and presidios, emphasizing religious versus military purposes and the skills taught at missions. Optionally, show the video Early Texas Beginnings to summarize the rise and fall of the Spanish missions.
Working in small groups, students examine a map showing the locations of Spanish missions and presidios in Texas. They discuss patterns they notice and record their observations in a shared table, then post a group response explaining what the locations of the missions reveal about Spanish settlement in Texas.
Teacher MovesGuide students to notice key geographic and strategic patterns on the map, such as proximity to rivers, clustering of missions with nearby presidios, and regional concentrations of settlements. Highlight strong group responses and use them to discuss why Spain chose these locations and how missions and presidios supported Spanish control of Texas.
Students read a narrative about the history of El Paso, including Indigenous presence, early Spanish exploration, the founding of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Ysleta Mission, and the growth of El Paso’s diverse population and agriculture. In small groups, they use this information to create a visual timeline of key events in El Paso’s development.
Teacher MovesClarify the sequence of events in El Paso’s history and, if needed, model how to construct a timeline before students begin. Invite selected groups to present their timelines and use their work to reinforce understanding of chronology, settlement patterns, and the role of missions in the region’s growth.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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