GOLD    FEVER

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INTRODUCTION:
​Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!  The year is 1849.  Gold has been discovered in a faraway land called California.  
Your dreams of getting rich can come true! You have gotten this Gold Fever and can not wait to go stake your claim.
TASK:
​How will you travel to this land of golden opportunity?  Where is your home (e.g., China, Germany, Venezuela, Missouri, Virginia)?  What route will you take to get to California? You must make some important decisions before you begin your trip and then, keep a journal of the hardships and adventures that you experience along the way?
Part #1:
  *You and your family must travel using a simulation program, Oregon Trial. There are decisions to be made before the journey can begin. You may run this simulation several times until you have succeed in reaching your destination. Each of you must keep journal note on paper, then later transfer it to a blog style page using Google Sites. You are to post this blog at each rest stop along trip to document your journey and as a historical documentation of your existence. Each Blog post must include a picture.
Part #2:
   *To further show evident of your understanding of the California Gold Rush, each of you will create a Google Slide Presentation via Google Classroom and present it in class. Follow the process below to help you answer questions for your slides.
PROCESS: (for your Google Slides)
  • Slide 1 -Title Slide
    • ​Your name and your teacher's name.
  • Slide 2 -How Gold Rush Started
    • ​Watch this video (How Gold was Discovered), then write a paragraph about how California Gold Rush got started. Include a picture of Mr. Marshall.
  • Slide 3 -What happened Next?
    • ​Write a paragraph explaining what happened next after James Marshall found his first gold nugget. Include a picture after your writing.
  • ​Slide 4 -How did they get to California?
    • ​Write about the two ways that people were coming to California looking for gold. Include some pictures after your writing.
  • Slide 5 -How did they live?
    • ​Write a paragraph explaining the living condition of the 49’er, those that came to California in search of gold. Be sure to include a picture or two when you are done with your writing.
  • Slide 6 -Did they all make it rich?​
    • ​Write at least a paragraph discussing whether or not those rushing for gold in California ever made it rich. Add a picture or two after you finished your writing.
  • Slide 7 -Some Fun Facts
    • ​Write 3-5 fun facts about the California Gold Rush here. You may use Bullet Points. Add a picture when you are done with your writing.
  • Slide 8 -Bibliography
    • ​Must include at least 3 sources: (follow this format below.)
      Author, Title of Article, Title of website, Date visited, Web Address
Resources Links:
​1.  Plan the best route ... Will you go by land or sea? 
Where does the journey start? Why have you chosen the route you will take? 
2.  What are the hardships and adventures that you experience along the way?
3.  What supplies should you take?  Will you have milk or eggs?  Luxury items?
4.  Keep a journal to record your trip.  Your journal should talk about what it was like getting to California.  Tell about your hopes & dreams to get rich, to get your own land or for adventure.
5.  What decision will you make along the way to stay alive and survive this harsh journey.
​6. What life is like for the 49'er.
A really great website for full information is HERE
How Gold was Discovered
Gold Rush for Kids:
Anchor Text:
Google Sites Tutorial





​Standards covered: 
​SS4.3 -2. Compare how and why people traveled to California  and the routes they traveled 
SS4.4 -2. Explain how the Gold Rush transformed the economy of California, including the types of products produced and consumed, changes in towns ​
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7 -Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.9 -Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.​​​