GOLD!

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GOLD!
A WebQuest designed for third and fourth grade
students by Terri Richter
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Introduction
GOLD!   Congratulations! Prospector Pete
has left you his goldmine! In his last will and
testament he stipulated a few rules in order to
claim the deed to the goldmine. You have just 1
week, yes 7 days, to discover where his mine is
located. You must work together as a group.
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Clues

• He has left a few clues to help you out.
• These are the clues New Helvetia
• the Consumnes Indian Tribe
• Mr. Scott
• the Sacramento River
• the American River
• vineyards
• orchards
• rare plants
• pine trees
• Can you find it? Will you all be rich next week?

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The Process
On this quest for gold, you will be working in
groups of four to complete your assigned task.
Each member of the team will explore a variety of
web pages that have been chosen to guide you in
locating the hidden goldmine.   Each member of
your team will research the background
information provided on the California Gold Rush.
You will decide as a group which role each
individual will play and follow the links
associated with your area of expertise. Your job
is important to the discovery of the goldmine.
Do your best work!
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The Roles

• The Geographer
• The Botanist
• The Anthropologist
• The Historian

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The Geographer   The job of the geographer is to
examine the land features of California. A
geographer examines the soil, cities, hills and
mountains, and river and streams.
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http//geography.berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/Pu
blications/Parsons_SauerLect.html

• What cities are nearby the mine?
• What is the soil type?
• Are there hills, mountains, rivers or streams?
• Can you figure out Prospector Petes clues?

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The Botanist The role of the botanist is to
examine the plant life in California. Before
beginning your research, learn more about what a
botanist does. As a botanist, you will be
researching the plants, and trees in the area.
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http//www.careers.co.nz/jobs/6b_lif/j26220a.htm

• What plants are found in the area?
• Are there trees?
• What kinds of trees are there?
• Can you make sense of Prospector Petes clues?

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The Anthropologist The role of the
anthropologist is to examine the people and
cultures the California Gold Rush. Before
beginning your research learn more about what an
anthropologist does.
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http//americanhistory.si.edu/hohr/springer/index.
htm 

• Who was there?
• How were they involved?
• Did you read about any interesting people?
• Can you make sense of Prospector Petes clues?

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The Historian The role of the historian is to
examine the past. You will journey through
history to discover what Prospector Petes clues
mean. Before beginning your research find out
more about what a historian does.
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http//americanhistory.si.edu/hohr/springer/index.
htm

• Who were the people involved in the California
  Gold Rush?
• What really happened?
• Where did it take place?
• Can you make sense of Prospector Petes clues?

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The Assignment

•  Each member of the research team will
  investigate their individual role by visiting a
  variety of web sites and collecting information
  from them.
• Focus on Prospector Petes clues searching for
  information.
• Record the facts you learn about California and
  the Gold Rush in your journal.
• Create a timeline relating to your discoveries.
• As a group you must compare notes and decide
  which gold mine belongs to Prospector Pete.
• You will be graded on the accuracy of your
  conclusion as well as how well you notate in you
  journal. The journal will be graded on its
  accuracy, neatness, and completeness.  Remember
  neatness counts!

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Resources
www.pbs.org/goldrush/funfacts.html www.isu.edu/t
rinmich/funfacts.html www.eduplace.com/ss/hmss/4/
unit/act3.2.html ceres.ca.gov/ceres/calweb/geolog
y/goldrush.html www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kids/goldr
ush
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Evaluation
Beginning   Developing Excellent Student Score
 Student Has Included Observations For their research area 0 points Nothing Listed  5 points Only One Observation  10 points More Than One Observation
Content is Accurate and Descriptive Timeline is included   0 points Incorrect Information 5 points Accurate Information/Few details  10 points Well Researched, Descriptive Observations
Student Journal is Neat and Well Organized 0 points Notes are Messy and Unorganized 5 points Minor Errors in Organizational Skills  10 points Notes in Correct Location/ Neat Handwriting
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Conclusion
Congratulations! Your determination and
perseverance has paid off. All of you are now
the proud owners of a goldmine! Enjoy your new
wealth but remember the lessons you have learned
from exploring the California Gold Rush.
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Teachers Resource
FOURTH GRADE Fourth grade Social Studies focuses
on the story of California. Students will bring
alive California's geography and history as they
study early exploration, settlers, immigrants,
Gold Rush, Statehood and Westward Movement.
FOURTH GRADE Students will continue to develop
an awareness of place by Social Science 4.1
Becoming aware of the state's geographical
features Discussing what were the geographic
factors vital to people of the past which are no
longer necessary for survival for the people of
today Develop location skills and
understanding Social Studies 4.3 Becoming
increasingly familiar with California geography
and large city locations Becoming familiar
with the routes early settlers took into
California Becoming familiar with routes of
specific immigrants such as the Chinese and where
specific groups of immigrants settled Social
Studies 4.4 Learning more about the specific
natural environment and how it affected the
location of the Gold Mining towns and mission
settlement
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Teachers Resource

• THIRD GRADE Third grade Social Studies focuses
  on continuity and change. Emphasis is on the
  physical and cultural landscape of California,
  including the study of American Indians, the
  subsequent arrival of immigrants, and the impact
  they had in forming the character of our society
• Social Science 3.1 Students identify
  geographical features in their local region.
• They also trace the ways in which people have
  used the resources of the local region and
  modified the physical enviorment.
• They will develop location skills and
  understanding.
• Social Studies 3.3 Students draw from historical
  and community resources to organize the sequence
  of local historical events and describe how each
  period of settlement left its mark on the land.