We just learned about how the California Gold Rush of 1849 and building of the Transcontinental Railroad led to immigration and emigration. My greatgrandfathers actually came to America from Germany and Poland to work on the railroad! I had to throw in the fact that the San Francisco 49ers, who our NY Giants beat in the NFC Championship, were named because of this event! We read a couple of books about the Gold Rush from Scholastic, checked out Way Back from PBS, and went on a Gold Rush Virtual Field Trip.
Students were so interested that I put a few books on my birthday wishlist:
Dear America: Seeds of Hope, The Gold Rush Diary of Susanna Fairchild
By the Great Horn Spoon (Newbery Medal winner)
The best part is you can choose which way the plot and endings go!
