DiscoveringThe California Gold Rush: A Rush for Riches

The California Gold Rush: A Rush for Riches

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe the California Gold Rush and its impact on California.

Introduce the learning objective and explain what the students will be able to do by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about California and the California Gold Rush?

California: The Golden State

California is a state in the western United States known for its diverse population and geography. It is the most populous state in the US and home to many famous landmarks such as Hollywood and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Introduce the state of California and its significance in US history and culture.

The California Gold Rush Begins

In 1848, gold was discovered in California, sparking a rush of people from all over the world to come and search for the precious metal. This period of time is known as the California Gold Rush.

Describe the beginning of the California Gold Rush and its historical context.

Life During the Gold Rush

Life during the Gold Rush was difficult and dangerous. Many people traveled long distances to get to California and worked long hours in dangerous conditions to find gold. The Gold Rush also had a significant impact on California's economy and population.

Explain what life was like during the Gold Rush and its impact on California's economy and population.

Conclusion

The California Gold Rush was a defining moment in US history and played a significant role in the development of California. It remains an important part of the state's history and culture today.

Summarize the lesson and encourage students to ask questions or share their thoughts on the California Gold Rush.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Discovering California