Having introduced the children to the stories of the European settlers, The Louisiana Purchase and the resulting westward expansion, we spent an hour or so learning about the Gold Rush and the 49ers (those that arrived in California in search of riches in 1849). I used gold beads and bells hidden in water, sand and stones and the kiddies collected what they could find...
...and traded in their gold for supplies and shelter.
Because of the sudden rush of towns being built around the main gold sites, there were often fights and robberies, turning the towns into the lawless places we often associate with the 'Wild West' today.
Monkey Girl's wanted poster
The Boy's wanted poster
The youngest two made Navajo flat bread.
It was "heavenly" according to Monkey Girl. This Boy was pretty impressed with himself too!
He made some mini ones for everyone.
The eldest two followed a design to make ankle bells.
I love them!
And we finished off our morning learning about totem poles.
