Teacher's Guide prepared by: Mary Shea, Ph.D.
Dr. Shea teaches undergraduate and graduate reading courses at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.

The following activities can be used both during and after reading the articles in this issue. Assumably, prereading activities that built background knowledge and familiarity with new vocabulary were completed.

Objective: Students will take notes while reading (or immediately following their reading of the selections) that are focused on the cause and effect relationship for Blacks in the Gold Rush. Information on graphic organizers will be used by students in composing an essay on the event, its multiple causes and multiple effects, and their opinion on the most significant cause and most significant effect.

Higher Level Thinking Skills: Knowledge, Comprehension, Analysis, and Synthesis

Materials: January / February 2000 issue of FOOTSTEPS, graphic organizers, and writing paper

Anticipatory Set:

1. Ask students to consider why people would want to move to a new place. Develop the concept of multiple causes or reasons. Ask students how a person's daily life changes when she or he moves to a new place. Develop the concept of multiple effects or results.
2. Tell students that as they read the articles in this issue to examine the many reasons why people, and particularly African Americans, came to California during the Gold Rush period and the effects of this influx of new settlers. This includes contributions made by particular individuals.

Teacher Input:

1. Review good reading strategies. The teacher and / or peers in read-alouds have frequently modeled these (out loud). Strategies may include:
   • predicting what information will be presented in the text
   • asking questions and looking for answers as you read
   • rereading when meaning is confused
   • using context to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word
   • determining main ideas and significant details for paragraphs and sections
   • attending to signal words that identify causes, effects, sequence, or opinions
   • making a picture in your mind as you read a descriptive part
   • summarizing to yourself what you just learned from the reading
2. Introduce the graphic organizer to students. Explain the areas and the information that will be recorded in each. Model how to record and what to write in a specific area.
3. Explain the process for recording information as you read - section by section. After reading the whole article, students should read over their notes and fill in as needed to clarify and complete facts. They should skim the articles to be sure key ideas have been included.

Guided Practice:

1. Have students read the articles and take notes on their organizers. This may take a few sessions or reading periods.
2. Circulate and give individual support as needed. (A small group may be gathered to provide more intensive support for struggling readers while other students work independently.)
3. Facilitate an open discussion on the information that students gathered related to the causes and effects for Blacks in the Gold Rush. Have students use notes on their organizers when discussing the topic.

Independent Practice:
Later in the day (or for homework) have students write an essay on The Causes and Effects of "Blacks in the Gold Rush." They should describe multiple causes and effects (including significant contributions made by individuals) and give an opinion on the most significant cause and most significant effect with reasons to support each.

Closure:
Review key ideas that were identified. Students should check that they've included these ideas on their organizers. If not, make additions.

Evaluation:
The teacher will assess:

• students' ability to gather notes focused on the identified topic
• students' ability to listen carefully during the class discussion and expand on their own notes and understanding
• students' ability to engage in a focused discussion, clearly expressing relevant information and elaborating on what is stated by others
• students' ability to compose an essay that addresses the assigned points with creativity, clarity, completeness, and a high level of technical (grammar and spelling) accuracy

Name ___________________________________________ Date_________

Blacks in the Gold Rush - Causes and Effects

Directions: Gather information from articles in FOOTSTEPS (Jan./Feb. 2000) that explains causes and effects of the migration of black Americans to California during the Gold Rush era. Record information on this organizer. Be ready to share ideas with classmates.

Causes: Why did black Americans come to California in the Gold Rush era?		Effects: What were the effects of an increased number of black Americans in California? (Include contributions they made.)
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________	Event / Situation:     Blacks in the Gold Rush	_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
Which cause was the most important one? Give reasons to support your answer.		Which effect was the most important one? Give reasons for your answer.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________		_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

Write an essay describing the causes and effects of the migration of black Americans to California during the Gold Rush era. Include contributions made by these settlers. Identify the cause and effect that you feel is the most important one and give reasons for your opinion. After writing a draft, check that you've:

• written an introduction,
• identified multiple causes and effects (including significant contributions made by these early settlers),
• identified the most important cause and effect,
• given reasons for your opinions, and
• written a good conclusion.