Description

California Gold Rush Simulation Activity

History can be difficult for students to understand and experience. Simulations help students put themselves in the past, learning about history in an authentically engaging way. Students love simulations because they don’t know what the final outcome will be. It’s an exciting learning experience!

Want to try a FREE simulation? You can download my free World War 2 Battle of Iwo Jima simulation to get a closer look!

This minimal prep simulation puts students in the role of a miner who decides to risk it all to strike it rich in California during the gold rush. Students will learn about the dangers the miners endured. This resource is aligned to my Age of Jackson & Sectionalism Unit Bundle.

This California Gold Rush Simulation includes:

★ 48 colonist ID cards (24 men & 24 women)
★ 8 danger cards
★ 8 leisure cards
★ 8 mining cards
★ 8 mining town cards
★ 8 choice cards
★ star cards
★ student instructions page
★ student simulation recording page
★ teacher instructions page
★ RAFT task

The cards have a colored background to differentiate between the different types. However, if you prefer to save color ink, I have included black line versions, and you can print onto colored paper OR you can lightly color the pages. The only item you need besides what is included in this resource is one die. That’s it! Everything else you need is right here!

Students begin the simulation with 50 points. Students want to end the simulation with as many points as possible. As students progress through this simulation, there are different ways in which their fates are determined. Sometimes students simply draw a card and their fate is shown, sometimes students have to roll a die, and sometimes students can make a free choice. Each decision affects their fate. There are multiple outcomes based on the cards drawn, the choices students make, and what the student rolls. Students can go through this simulation multiple times and have a different outcome each time!

My students LOVE simulations! Not only are they engaging and fun, but students are also LEARNING more about the topic.

Looking for something more comprehensive? Check out my Age of Jackson & Sectionalism Curriculum unit. THIS RESOURCE IS INCLUDED IN THIS CURRICULUM PACK.

If you are looking for a comprehensive curriculum, be sure to check out my Yearlong US History Curriculum.

++++++++++++++++SIMULATIONS Available++++++++++++++++
♦ Colonial America: A New Life in Plymouth
♦American Revolution: No More Taxes!
♦Constitution & A New Nation: Lewis & Clark Expedition
♦Civil War: Tour of Duty
♦Gilded Age: Life of a Factory Worker
♦World War 1: Life in the Trenches
♦Roaring ’20s & Great Depression: Life of a Farmer
♦World War 2: Code Talkers
♦World War 2: Battle of Iwo Jima FREE

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Heather LeBlanc, LLC