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Lesson Plan
PBS

Baker's Gold

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine art of the California Gold Rush. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze the photography and art of Isaac Wallace Baker. Young scholars also conduct further research about the miners of the era in order to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Klondike Fever

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars consider the geographical aspects of the gold rush. In this gold lesson plan, students research just what gold is and where it has been found. Young scholars create maps that highlight the regions of the world where gold...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gold Rush Experience: Create Your Own Exhibit

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners create a virtual exhibit. In this gold rush lesson, students watch a movie about the California gold rush, view a virtual image of the gold nugget that started the gold rush and examine the sources. Learners research and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching with Objects The Gold Nugget

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete activities related to the California gold rush. In this gold rush lesson, 4th graders go to an Internet website video that discusses the gold rush. They complete discuss miner's experiences, sing a gold rush song,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Movement and Migration: the Gold Nugget that launched the Gold Rush

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars learn what it was like to be a gold miner. In this California gold rush activity, students watch a movie about the California gold rush and discuss what they learned. Young scholars use the Internet to examine the gold...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heading West

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study the concept of the westward expansion. In this exploration of the western U.S. lesson, students participate in different activities that explain economic hardships, jobs, and land opportunities. Students describe...
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Worksheet
abcteach

Gold Found in California

For Students 4th - 5th
For this historical reading comprehension learning exercise, students read a factual account of the Gold Rush. Students answer 14 questions about the passage.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do We Explore Strange Environments?

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Las Misiones de California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work in partners to complete a series of activities. After reading the introduction, Students select a role of either a "Padre" or "Indigena." As partners, they need time on the computer for research as well as time to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Legacy of War -- The Gold Rush and the Foreign Miner's Tax

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the results of the Mexican War from both countries. They analyze the impact of a war for the losing side. They also compare the politics of the time of the Mexican war with those of today.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Mission: The Last Mission

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders develop a research report to determine the best location for the final California mission. They conduct Internet research, create charts and diagrams, and develop a presentation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rancho San Pedro

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars perform 15 different activities in order to investigate what life on a rancho in California was like in the 1800's.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Striking It Rich!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the California Gold Rush. They explore the lure of gold and the Wild West, how pioneers traveled to the West, and the hardships and people they encountered along the way. Activities be authentic, hands-on, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Census and Gold Rush Town

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners analyze data and form a mental picture of the make up of a gold rush town. They explain social life in a gold rush town. They use online sources to see paintings of camp life and read accounts of miners' lives.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Skagway: Gateway to the Klondike

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore the impact of the Klondike Gold Rush on the development of Skagway, Alaska. Lesson can be used in units on western expansion, late 19th and early 20th-century commerce, and urban history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring California

For Teachers 4th
While incomplete, this lesson plan could be used as a starting point for an exploration of the geographic features of California. Learners describe the four regions of California and discuss population and economic development. Then,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eureka! You've Struck

For Teachers 4th
While incomplete, this lesson could provide ideas for a lesson on the California gold rush. Learners look at a chart to analyze population growth in San Francisco after the discovery of gold, analyze political changes that occurred, and...
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PPT
Curated OER

Chapter 12: American History

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Short and to the point, these slides cover some basic points about life in 19th centrury America. Topics such as Texas Independence, the California Gold Rush, and the Oregon Territory are briefly mentioned, and some of the facts are hard...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced.  Students create a map of migration...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Gold Rush Quiz

For Students 4th - 8th
In this Gold Rush worksheet, learners answer multiple choice questions about the Gold Rush. Students answer 20 questions total.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Rush Quiz

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners take a quiz about the Gold Rush that happened in California. In this Gold Rush lesson plan, students complete 8 multiple choice questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Destination Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study Mars and what it would take to man a mission there.  In this solar system lesson plan students view a video and complete an art activity in groups. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Apollo 16

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine Apollo 16 and its significance.  In this Apollo 16 lesson students work in groups, answer questions and complete a worksheet. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Rush Abolitionists: How different was the role of Spanish-speaking blacks under Mexican rule from the role of English-speaking blacks under U.S. rule?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. For this emancipation lesson, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.