Alexander+County


 * Alexander County: Focusing on Hiddenite Gems, Inc. & Tie it in to the NC Gold Rush**

Introduce the topic of Alexander County's rich supply of precious gems through artifact based inquiry and viewing images. As a class and in small groups, we will explore different examples of gemstones and learn about the geography and minerals that create gemstones. In addition to gemstones, we can tie in the NC Gold Rush as well as the CA Gold Rush into the lesson.
 * The Lesson:**

After a lecture on the creation of gemstones, as well as the NC and CA Gold rushes, the class will break up into small groups that explore different stations around the room.
 * The Activity:**
 * students will identify different types of stones.
 * create a short story about the man who found the first lump of gold in Cabarrus county.
 * explore the journey out west to find gold and look at different letters and artifacts from men and families who traveled west.

Students can turn in their work at the end of the day to show their participation at each station. Through analyzing depth of knowledge and completion of work, the teacher could assess student work.
 * The Assessment:**