C.+Lesson+Plans

Gold Rush Migration []

In early 1849 the major gold rush began: people stampeded to California from all over the United States and Europe, Mexico, Chile, China, as well as the Sandwich Islands and Australia. In the same year about 85,000 people migrated to California: 40,000 came by ship, 15,000 via Mexico, and 30,000 by trek on the notorious California Trail over the Rocky Mountains. In May 1848 displays of gold in the small village of San Francisco reduced its population from approximately 1,000 people to less than 100 as the men rushed to the mining sites, abandoning their homes and workplaces. This lesson will explore these ideas by the students and what it meant to travel during this era. * []  The Mexican-American War had a major impact on California. Many Mexicans in Alta California were fighting for the independence from Spain. California was once ruled by Spain and then ruled by Mexico. These international rulings have made a major impact on the development of California. From The names of towns to the political struggles, the Mexican War has affected California in strongly impacted ways. **
 * The Mexican-American War

The World Rushed In http://lesson.taskstream.com/lessonbuilder/v.asp?LID=kez0h8eph8egzifa **

Kickball http://lesson.taskstream.com/lessonbuilder/v.asp?LID=fpc5esc2cmzphifk News of gold found at Sutter's Mill and other places in California caused one of the largest and wildest migrations in history. Between 75,000 and 100,000 people made their way to the California gold fields in 1849. Nicknamed "Forty-Niners," most of the gold seekers were men. According to the legends, Tommyknockers were gnomes who lived in the mines. If the supports in a mine were about to collapse, the Tommyknockers tapped on the wooden beams to warn miners of danger. According to the stories, the gnomes cared for the safety of the miners, and the warnings gave miners an opportunity to escape. In this lesson, the students will learn about the Forty-Niners and the Tommyknockers. The lesson was designed to be informative and fun. The students will be able to describe the Forty-Niners and the Tommyknockers role in the Gold Rush era and also enjoy a game of kickball. Gold Rush Journey []