1849 California Gold Rush Interactive Adventure

This California Gold Rush activity is a great addition to your westward expansion unit! Similar to Choose-Your-Own-Adventure® stories, students make decisions which determine their story's outcome. 

In 1848, gold was discovered in California. As news of the discovery spread, many thousands of prospective gold miners traveled by sea or over land to reach California. They all planned to strike it rich! In this teacher-led simulation, students will join the masses headed for California. With the scenarios displayed onscreen, learners will work together to make important decisions. Collaboratively, they will discuss the options and vote for their choices.  

HOW I USE THIS ACTIVITY:

I give a brief introduction before we begin the activity. I use a simple one-page slide with bulleted talking points (included). I have also included two pages of teacher notes to accompany the introductory slide.

I use this interactive activity in live small group instruction online although it would work just as well for in person learning. We go through it multiple times to try different paths. In a one-hour meeting we typically go through the journey 2-3 times. The time to complete one path will vary greatly depending on the choices made and the time taken to discuss the options. In my class, I place an emphasis on cooperative decision-making. Therefore, I give students plenty of time to discuss the options.

This resource is a zipped folder containing an introductory one-slide PowerPoint, a PowerPoint version of the simulation and a PDF teacher file with notes and links to the Google Slide version of both PowerPoints. 

PREVIEW THIS RESOURCE

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This is a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. 
Filetype: ZIP folder
Nothing will be shipped.

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Enjoy!

SunnyDaze®

(This resource is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Commercial use is not permitted, including use on marketplace sites such as Outschool.)