Lesson 2: Gold Rush online- Interactive game

Estimated time: 80 minutes

Objective/s:
1. View, read, navigate and select texts from specific personal, social and
learning purposes (VR5, i).
2. Use interaction and communication skills to contribute to and extend
discussion by: clarifying ideas, offering explanations for a point of view and
introducing topics using agreed protocols (LS5, V).
3. Use text-processing strategies when viewing and reading including: skimming
and scanning texts, comparing content from resources and analysing
similarities and differences (VR5, iii).
4. Use new learning area vocabulary to provide specific meaning (LS5, vii).
5. Students will Investigating with ICTs by selecting and evaluating data and
information and locate, generate and access data and information

Classroom Organisation:
1. At the start of the lesson the class will be located at the front of the classroom, near
the whiteboard. All students will be sitting on the classroom mat/floor.
2. Students will then have access to the classroom laptops, and complete the online
activity at their desks.
3. Literacy Support Teacher to cater for diverse needs

Resources:
1. Nicholson, J. (1994). Gold: The fascinating story of gold in Australia. NSW: A little Ark
Book
2. Word Wall
3. Laptops
4. National Museum Australia. 2013. Gold rush- flash interactive. Retrieved from:
http://www.nma.gov.au/education-
kids/classroom_learning/multimedia/interactives/gold-rush

Learning Experiences:
1. The Teacher is to read the book: Gold by John Nicholson (pages 8-11).
2. Whilst reading each page, as a class really decode what is being read and the
pictures on each page and build a large discussion.
3. As there a new/significant words read in relation to the Gold Rush, place on the
word wall.
4. The teacher will remind the students of the rules and expectations of behaviour
when using ICTs.
5. The teacher explains to the students that they will be completing an online Gold
Rush game.
6. The teacher will give the students information on how to use the program and how
to access it.
Take yourself back to the Ballarat goldfields of 1865 and mine for gold. Your mission is to
use limited financial resources to select and buy food, shelter and other requirements
related to gold mining at the time to complete a successful dig.
You may choose to dig by either alluvial or shaft mining, and must buy a miner's permit,
equipment and supplies appropriate for your chosen mining method. Prices are given in
pounds and shillings and a currency converter allows you to convert amounts to current
dollar values.
As you start your dig on the goldfields, you receive feedback advising whether or not your
purchases have been appropriate. By completing this interactive, you will recognise the
challenges that miners faced finding gold, and the importance of the Gold Rush era in
shaping Australia's population during the mid to late 1800s.
Objects from the Museum's collection used in this interactive include a gold washing cradle,
a miner's licence, scales and a digger's brooch.

7. The students till log on and begin the online game.
8. The students are given a 10 minute warning before packing up and then again a 5
minute warning before packing up.
9. After the students have packed up, gather as a class and discuss any new
information they have learnt and any new words/terminology that can be placed on
our word wall.

Assessment: Formative assessment is shown within the learning experience sequence
through observations and immediate teacher feedback.