History Colorado

The clues spell out the name of a Spanish town in Colorado. What does the word mean in English? Tell your teacher when you escape the room!

In the middleground is probably an official astride a horse, he is wearing a suit white shirt and tie. Long hair, goatee, hat with brim. Two other horses are on his right side, Grass, rocks, flowers, trees, hills in the distance are around the area. To the left are two Mexican men , one is throwing rocks the other is kneeling pulling grass, which was the custom when an official rode with the grantees out the the land, orally granted them the land and then the grantees pulled grass and threw stones wishing long life to the Sovereignty of The Mexican Nation. In the third line of the text is a strip of cardboard with "Colorado" glued over perhaps a correctio;ns. The last paragraph has a strip of cardboard glued over another correction.

*In pencil bottom right margin: "49 1/4"\
*In pencil on back: "29/ 23/ Colorado Sketchbook/ 3 wl X 4 1/2' unsure of word / Empire Monday Cit 1245/5

Drawing, pen and ink, Mexican Land Grants.jpg

Drawing, pen and ink, Mexican Land Grants

Shows land grants in Colorado and northern New Mexico; gives pictorial representations of historical places, events and people. Includes trails, forts, and old settlements.

The Mexican land grants in Colorado

Map, Mexican land grants in Colorado

BONUS: Escape Room!

Discuss with your group and record their ideas.

Engagement 3: Take a Stand (Group)

Think about the timeline and the maps that you just explored.

Go through the slides and complete each step to answer the Guiding Question.


Engagement 1: Color, Symbol, Image

Read the dilemma, then answer the following question. When you're done, it will be time to discuss with your group (next activity).

Engagement 3: Take a Stand (Independent)

As you explore the information on each slide; did the impact of the war last for a short period of time or a long period of time? Who and what were most impacted?

Lasting Impacts

Step In, Step Out, Step Back protocol show above.

Engagement 2: Step In, Step Out, Step Back

The territory Mexico lost to the United States after the war has a unique culture and history. This region - historians call it "the Borderlands" - has been claimed by multiple American Indian tribes as well as France, Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Explore the timeline to understand why.

Timeline of Events

As you read about the impacts of the Mexican-American War in the slides, thing about if they are positive or negative. Who and what was most impacted?

The Mexican-American War

Explore how Colorado has changed from the 1600s to today. What do you notice about the cultural groups in the region and how they change over time?

Maps of Colorado (1600-Today)

The town of San Luis is the longest continually-inhabited non-indigenous or non-native settlement in Colorado, meaning people have lived there since the town was first settled in 1851. San Luis was part of the New Mexico territory until Colorado became a territory in 1861. The Hispanics who founded the town of San Luis came from New Mexico and spoke Spanish. They moved into the valley to farm and to raise sheep and other animals. 

Colorado's Oldest Town: San Luis

Record anything you may be thinking now, then rejoin your group for the last question.

Engagement 3: Take a Stand (Independent & Group)

Welcome to the Borderlands of Southern Colorado, an ancient crossroads. They have a violent history of conquest and enslavement, but also traditions of beauty and diversity. A place where Indigenous cultures blend with Spanish, Mexican, and American traditions to create a unique identity unlike any other in the world. This identity lives within the people of the Borderlands, and it goes with them wherever they move. Borderlands people don’t stay still. By choice, by force, or by necessity, they have moved a lot. They are mobile people who have lived beyond boundaries and between languages. They are people who live "sin fronteras" - without borders.

Educator Overvie -  Colorado Borderlands (Grades 6-8).pdf

Directions for Engagement activities found below;

Take a Stand Student Handout for Engagement 3 can be printed for students (optional): 

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Colorado Borderlands

BONUS: Escape Room!

Reflection

Escape The Gallery