The Gold Rush (Nonfiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: Who do you think got rich when thousands of people rushed to find gold? Then have students read the passage on page 1, about 220 words in 5 short paragraphs, pencil in hand. They can underline facts as they go. The second page asks five questions. Have students mark the sentence that proves each choice, then write the two responses in complete sentences. Check the work with the answer key.

The Gold Rush gives 4th grade students a nonfiction passage of about 220 words about the California Gold Rush and who really made money from it, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2. An answer key is included.

The Gold Rush is a nonfiction passage of about 220 words about the California Gold Rush and who really made money from it. It is written for 4th grade readers (ages 9-10) and has 5 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice vocabulary in context, key details, the main idea and cause and effect. Questions include "Which detail shows that the Gold Rush was hard on most miners" and "Why did some towns become ghost towns". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: Who do you think got rich when thousands of people rushed to find gold? Ask students to name one thing they wonder about the topic, then read to find out. Come back to the question after the last paragraph.

Expect about 20 minutes from first read to last answer. It suits homework, a sub plan or small group reading time, and the answer key makes it quick to check the main idea and vocabulary in context.