Week 22: The California and Klondike Gold Rushes
Homeschooling moms must fill up their knowledge bank in order to give the best to their kids. The more mom knows, the better she can teach. Research these topics and share the general idea with younger kids. For older kids, you might invite them to pick a topic to research.
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| John Sutter |
Topics for Week 22
California Gold Rush
Klondike Gold Rush
Northwest Coast Indigenous Tribes
Pony Express
Zachary Taylor
Discussion Questions
California Gold Rush
What did it mean to "Stake a Claim?"
Who were the "forty-niners?"
Those of Mexican and Chinese descent were banned from looking for Gold. What effect would this have on racial tension?
Klondike Gold Rush
How much food did Canada require prospectors bring with them ?
How were supplies moved into the Yukon?
Northwest Coast Indigenous Tribes
What role did Salmon play in indigenous life?
How did indigenous people explain geography? See story below
Pony Express
How old did you have to be to ride for the Pony Express?
What dangers lay on the trail for a Pony Express rider?
Zachary Taylor
Many southerners thought Taylor supported slavery but he was against secession. Why?
He was President for less than one year. What was he eating right before he died?
Resources:
Books (all links go to Goodreads)
Free E-Books
The Cave of Gold
Videos
Activities
1. Print this Salmon Activity Book provided by the Colombia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
2. Buy a bag of Goldn Paydirt to use in "panning" for gold
3. Continue a State Cards Project. As each state enters the union, create a card with fun facts about that state. Younger kids might enjoy a coloring/activity book about the states. Add California 1850.
4. Look up a Pony Express Poster. Talk about what should be on a poster advertising for new riders. Encourage your kids to make their own poster.
5. Read this story about the origin of Crater Lake
The following story is adapted from one that Chief Lalek, an 80-year-old Klamath Indian, told William M. Colvig, his 19-year-old visitor in 1865.
One time when Chief of the Below World was on top of Mount Mazama, he saw and fell in love with Loha, a Klamath woman who was cherished by all who knew her. Chief of the Below World told Loha of his love and asked her to return with him to his lodge inside Mazama. There, he said, she would live for- ever. But the tribal wise men warned Loha that even though they also loved her, she could never, nor should she ever, want to live forever. Following their instruction, she refused Chief of the Below World by hiding from him.
When Chief of the Below World learned that the people had unanimously refused his proposal, he became furious and in a voice like thunder swore that he would destroy all the Klamath with the Curse of Fire.
The mighty form of Chief of the Above World then descended from the sky and the two spirit chiefs began a furious battle on the mountaintop. The mountain shook and crumbled. Red-hot rocks as large as the hills hurtled through the skies. Burning ash fell like rain. Chief of the Below World spewed fire from the mouth of the mountain. Fleeing in terror, the people found refuge in the waters of Klamath Lake.
Then the oldest of the tribal wise men raised his voice so all could hear. Only a living sacrifice will turn away Chief of the Below World’s revenge. But who among us will offer himself as a sacrifice? “No young person will want to make the sacrifice” answered the second oldest wise man. “You and I have but a few more years to live. We should be the ones to throw our torches and ourselves into Chief of the Below World’s fire pit.”
After a period of silence, the two old men lit their pine torches and started toward Mount Mazama. From the waters of Klamath Lake the people watched in astonishment as their torches, brilliant against the night sky, moved to the crest of the volcano. There the old men paused, and then, with their torches high above their heads, jumped into the fiery pit. The generosity of the old men energized Chief of the Above World. Once more the mountains shook and the earth seemed to tremble on its foundation. When Chief of the Below World was finally driven back into his home, Mount Mazama collapsed upon him and after many years rain filled the great crater.
Source: McWilliams, R. G. (n.d.). The geology of North America as illustrated by Native American stories. [Online] Retrieved January 22, 2020, from https://www.units.miamioh.edu/cryolab/publications/documents/ McWilliams%20Geology%20NA%20Illus%20NA%20Stories.pdf
Image Credit: Frank Buchser / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
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