Bodie: Boom or Bust

BODIE: Boom or Bust

Late 19th Century life in a wild California gold mining town.

Author / Carol Franklin
Grade Level / 4th – 8th
Duration / 1 - 2 class periods
National Geography Standards / Arizona Geography Standards / Other Standards
Geography standard 9 (grades 5-8). The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface. / Strand 4, Concept 2, PO 3. describe the interactions of people in different places and regions.
. / Science Standards: Concept 1. Changes in environments. Describe the interactions between human populations, natural hazards, and the environment.

Bodie: Boom or Bust

Overview

In an era of difficult and hazardous travel, why would people move from one location to another? The motivation of 19th century Americans to head west were many and varied. This lesson will explore this movement and the history of one California town.

Purpose

This lesson is intended to allow participants to experience the rewards and dangers of one of the last gold mining boom towns, Bodie, California.

Materials

Bodie: boom or bust game rules, board and cards

Game pieces (tiles)

Poster board or butcher paper

marker

dice or spinners

Objectives

The student will be able to:

-identify reasons people were attracted to Bodie

-identify similarities and differences between their lives and life in Bodie

-identify the reasons Bodie became a ghost town

Procedures

1.  On a poster board, list reasons why the students’ families are living in your town.

2.  On another poster board list the transport that got the students’ families to town.

3.  On the board list what students already know about 19th century life and travel.

4.  Introduce the game board and rules to the students.

5.  In groups of 3-5 have students play the game.

6.  As a whole group have students discuss and list what they found out about Bodie.

7.  Compare the reasons people went to Bodie and how they got there with the brainstorming before the game was played.

8.  Discuss the reason Bodie became a ghost town. Could it ever happen to your town?

Assessment

Students would take the test provided. Or, by drawing pictures, students could demonstrate why people moved to Bodie, how they got there, and why they left.

Extensions

Take a field trip to a mining town, either a functioning one or ghost town. Have someone from the mining business come in as a guest speaker. Have students write a diary about what their life would be like if they lived in 1881 Bodie.

Sources

Cain, Ella M. The Story of Bodie. Pearson Publishers. San Francisco CA. 1956.

Lescohier, Roger P. The stamp mill for Recovery of Gold – from Hard Rock. Buttonworks. 1992.

DVD Bodie – Ghost town Frozen in Time by Peter Dallas. Produced by Sierra State Parks Foundation.

SPECIAL THANKS

For technical support: Lisa Williams

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Bodie: Boom or Bust