Introduction
- It’s 1849, and gold has been discovered
at Sutter’s Mill. The California Gold Rush has begun, and
you want a piece of the action! Your bags are packed, but
there are a few decisions you’ll have to make along the way. Ready,
set, go!
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Task
- Your first decision is how to get
to California. Once your there, you’ll have to decide which
method your going to use to mine for the gold. Finally
you’re going to get sentimental about the people besides the
miners who live in your mining town. What would it be like
to be a Native American, an African American or a Chinese immigrant
during this time?
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Process
· Part One- There were a few different ways
miners could get from the eastern part of the United States to
California. Miners could take the sea route, the sea route
via the Panama Canal, or the Oregon-California trail. You’ve
chosen to take the Oregon Trail to California. First, do
the research by clicking on the wagon train. Next write a
one page diary entry telling me what life is like for you on the
trail.
- Part Two- Now that you’ve reached
California, you need to decide how you’re going to get that gold
out of the mountains. Are you going to go fancy, or is
panning the best method. Click on the miner to read about
different mining techniques, then write a paragraph telling me
what method you chose and why.
- Part Three-Miners weren’t the only
ones in California during the Gold Rush. There were also
Native Americans, African Americans and Chinese immigrants, among
others. Find out what it would be like to live in a gold
mining town as someone from a different ethnic background by
clicking on the Chinese man. Pick one of these groups to
belong to and write one page about what a day in your life would
be like.
  
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Resources
· California History Online
· The Oregon Trail
· Mining
for Gold
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Evaluation
This rubric will be used
to evaluate student work.
Oregon Trail Journal
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Journal is only
half a page and doesn’t include much detail.
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Journal is too short
and doesn’t include enough detail.
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Journal is long
enough, but doesn’t include enough detail.
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Journal is long
enough and has plenty of details.
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Mining Method
Paragraph
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Mining method is
not well described and the reason given to use this method
is not given.
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Mining method is
described, but the reason for using it is not given.
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Mining method is
described and but reason for using it is weak.
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Mining method is
described as well as the reason for using it.
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A Day in the Life
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Paper is short,
and few details are given.
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Paper is too short,
but more details are given.
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Paper is a good
length, but it could use more details.
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Paper is a good
length and is very detailed.
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Conclusion
In 1848 thousands of people
started moving west to California. They were coming in search
of a better life. They thought that riches were easily found
in California, but they were in for an unpleasant surprise. The
life of a miner was not so easy as they had believed. After
completing this project you will know more about what it was really
like to be a miner during the gold rush.
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