ProCon
Gold Standard
If all the mined gold in the world was melted across a football field, it would rise 5.4 feet. That's just one interesting fact pupils learn when using the debate topics website to determine if the United States should return to a gold...
Curated OER
Africa: Economics And Change
Learners examine the gold-mining industry in Africa. In this geography skills lesson, students watch "Africa: Economics and Change," investigate the challenges of working in mines, research attributes and production of gold and discuss...
Curated OER
The Times and Life During the California Gold Rush
Fourth graders read about the era in their history books, write in their journals revolving around the Gold Rush, making crafts such as newspapers, and also play the part of the Forty-niners.
Curated OER
California's Golden History: 1848-1880
Using a variety of online resources, learners study life and society in California during the gold rush. They use a map to identify area where gold was located, explore pre-selected websites, describe mining practices, and create an...
Curated OER
The Stock Market: High School Economics
High school economists learn about the stock market in a project where they "buy" and track stocks. The author of this resource reports it is the high point of her 12th grade economics course, but no resources are attached. After viewing...
Curated OER
A Dollar Goes A Long Way
Investigate life along the Old Spanish Trail! They visit websites and identify the history and environment. They create journals, dramatic enactments, and maps to discover the role individuals played in society. They also explore the...
Curated OER
"you Shall Not Crucify Mankind Upon a Cross of Gold!": The Issue of Bimetallism in the Late Nineteenth-Century
Young scholars investigate the monetary system during the late 19th-century. They view a video, answer discussion questions, read and discuss text, and write an essay justifying either the pro-silver or pro-gold standard side.
Curated OER
Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced. Students create a map of migration...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Free Silver Movement and Inflation
Why are US dollars no longer backed by gold and silver? What is our medium of exchange, and what would it be like to live in a barter economy? Learners consider these questions, as well as learn about the major historical events in the...
Curated OER
Stay Gold, Ponyboy: A Guide to The Outsiders
How to use thematic focus, social context, and creative visuals to teach S. E. Hinton's timeless classic.
Curated OER
Heading West
Students study the concept of the westward expansion. In this exploration of the western U.S. lesson, students participate in different activities that explain economic hardships, jobs, and land opportunities. Students describe...
Curated OER
The Election of 1896 - Gold or Silver?
Learners analyze the issues behind the Election of 1896 and describe the positions of William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. They evaluate editorial cartoons supporting McKinley's candidacy via editorial cartoons. Each student...
Curated OER
Gold Rush Abolitionists: How different was the role of Spanish-speaking blacks under Mexican rule from the role of English-speaking blacks under U.S. rule?
Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. In this emancipation lesson plan, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.
Novelinks
Lord of the Flies: Themes and Notetaking
William Golding's Lord of the Flies is a treasure trove of symbolism and literary themes. Help your kids note the richest passages in the book with a lesson and graphic organizer. The lesson prepares kids to come up with a thesis...
Curated OER
"You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!" The Issue Bimetallism in the Late Nineteenth-Century
Students research the basis of the monetary system suring the 19th century. They complete a worksheet and justify the pro-silver or the pro-gold argument.
Curated OER
Economy Introduction: Jack and the Bank Stock
Third graders explore the functions of money. In this economics lesson, 3rd graders read Jack and the Beanstalk to discover the three main functions of money.
Curated OER
History of the American West
Ninth graders research early mining in California. They study the "placer method" for mining gold, which is surface mining that does not involve tunneling. They examine what it was like for the early miners to pan for gold with...
Curated OER
Salt: White Gold
Students examine the importance of salt for trade routes and the economy of a community.
Curated OER
The Stock Market
Twelfth graders study the stock market and how to read stock market pages. They write reports about and graph the performance of various stocks. They examine economic crashes in history and write and perform a skit about the market.
Curated OER
Chinese Immigration in the Mid-19th Century
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Chinese immigration lesson, students research the Chinese immigration between 1850 and 1882.
Curated OER
Monetary Mania
Students participate in an online quiz program that reviews economic concepts and vocabulary. They apply concepts learned through the International Money Fund Center.
Curated OER
Gold Mountain
Young scholars read primary and secondary sources to find jobs as a Chinese immigrant. In groups they create a chart listing jobs for Chinese and write a letter about employment and living conditions to a Chinese friend.
Curated OER
Ancient Hebrews
Sixth graders analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of the Ancient Hebrews, and write an essay.
Curated OER
MEDIEVAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Seventh graders examine the area of medieval Sub-Saharan Africa through eyes of travelers in the company of one of history's greatest travelers, Ibn Battuta. The project has been structured to include all the State standards for this unit.