Grade 3 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 8, Lesson 4

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
From Sea to Shining Sea

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 8, Lesson 4: Life in a Mining Community (pp. 160-163)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Change Leadville became a boom town when silver and gold were discovered there.

Begin by asking students what they know about mining for gold and silver. Discuss where these minerals have been found, what happens when mines are discovered near a small town, and who makes money when gold or silver is found near a mining town.

Have students name examples of objects that are made of gold and silver. Ask them why they think gold and silver are such valuable minerals.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Ask students to write a newspaper article for an eastern newspaper entitled "Leadville: A New Boom Town." As they write, ask them to answer these questions: Where is Leadville? Who lives there? Why is Leadville a boom town? How did it become a boom town?
Have students draw a picture of Leadville when it was a boom town and another picture of Leadville in 1916 after the boom.

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