California Gold Rush Titles...

While studying the California Gold Rush of 1848-1849, we read The Story of the Gold at Sutter's Mill by R. Conrad Stein, which is a Cornerstones of Freedom book, and California Gold Rush by Catherine E. Chambers, which is part of the Adventures in Frontier America series.  Each book gave factual information regarding the Gold Rush, with very little overlap.  Both books are illustrated, adding visual stimulation to the story.  I broke the reading into two days each.  Stein's book is a TruthQuest History recommendation.  In addition, we read By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman as our bedtime read aloud, which is a Beautiful Feet, TruthQuest, and Sonlight recommended book. 

We also studied Levi Strauss and "Snowshoe" John Thompson by reading, Mr. Blue Jeans, A Story of Levi Strauss by Maryann N. Weidt, a Creative Minds Biography, and Snowshoe Thompson by Nancy Smiler Levinson, an I Can Read Book.   Both of these men were significant to the Gold Rush.  The kids and I were intrigued by Levi Strauss.   He was a hard working humble man with a servant's heart.  

I didn't realize the Gold Rush was so short lived.  I love re-learning history with the kids!