Lesson Description:

1. Gather as a whole group for discussion. Begin the discussion by asking students to recall and describe their journey so far across the lakes and rapids. You may want to remind students of the visual images from the film "Gold! The Klondike Adventure." Then tell students, "While going through the treacherous rapids, a boat overturned!" Don't disclose whose boat was overturned. Attaching a name to the crisis could create anxiety for you students. Continue with, "Everyone was able to swim safely to shore. But, all the supplies on the boat are lost! Don't fret because we're all committed to getting to the goldfields together. What should we do?" How are we going to help each other out?"

2. Have students work in small groups to decide what they will do to help. Have them list their ideas on large pieces of butcher paper. This activity is meant to give students an opportunity to empathize and brainstorm how they can help.

3. Gather as a whole group again to share ideas. Assign a recorder to record ideas on a class chart. Students reflect on this experience as they write a journal entry about the crisis and how they helped the victims.

Lesson 16

Title: Crisis on the River

Objective: To gain a sense of empathy for the hardships many Stampeders faced on their journey.

Materials:
Butcher Paper
Markers
Pencil
Student Journals

Time: 1 hour

Contents