Part II Introduction

Part II, Introduction (continued)

D. Culminating the Topic
LESSON TITLE	ACTIVITIES	CLASS SESSIONS	PAGE

11. Extra! Extra! Write All About It!	Students create a newspaper using information gathered in research and previous lessons.	4-5	42

12. Doing Your Part for the Environment	Students research and design a plan of action for a current environmental concern.	3-4	43

13. The Real Cost of the Gold Rush (Assessment)	Using information gathered in their Investigation Casebooks, students assess the pros and cons of the Gold Rush.	1	47

E. Framework/Course Model Connections:

These activities will focus on Unit Five in the fourth-grade framework (see page 48 of the History-Social Science Framework) covering the Gold Rush. The element of the standard that these activities reflect is to "Describe how the Gold Rush changed California, including population size, diversity; the buildup of settlements; statehood; the effect of sudden wealth on the state; the Gold Rush's effects on the environment and its impact on the lives of the people already here." Concepts focused on will include technology and human-environment interaction.

F. Focus Questions and Student Outcomes:

Was gold really free?

Through the use of primary sources, students will assess the costs and benefits of gold mining.

What was the cost of mining to the environment?

Through the use of primary sources and group collaboration activities, students will determine the costs to the environment of various mining methods.

G. Assessment:

Student learning will be assessed throughout the activities in terms of the individual student Investigation Casebooks, quickwrites and cooperative group participation. The assessment project can be evaluated according to a rubric developed by teacher and students for the Cost and Benefits chart. This lesson/assessment can be found in "Culminating the Topic."