Gold+Inquiry+Group+Tasks

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GOLD INQUIRY ORGANISATION


 * Now that we have learnt about MINING, you are now going to branch off into an expert group.

Your group will develop a 10 minute presentation to conduct with the other grade 5/6 classrooms. Your group will become the teacher. Remember to always do your best and work hard as a team to develop a great presentation.

You group will be presenting on // TUESDAY 16TH JUNE //. This means you have 10 Inquiry lessons to get your presentation organised.

So let's not waste time and get cracking!

Good luck. **

Group Members: Tiarnah, Jayke, Kosta, Holley, Aethan **
 * GROUP 1 - Licensing

Create an audio recording using audacity to provide information about why the gold license was used and some information about it. What were the conditions? How did the diggers respond to the license? Remember to speak clearly and add effects to the presentation.

When the other classrooms come to visit they will find out about the license from your group. Present the MP3 recording and then perform a mini role-play with your group. Demonstrate the treatment that would have been imposed on the diggers by the troopers. Pretend to be doing a license check on the group. Remember when presenting anything to show enthusiasm and take on the role with conviction. Some suggestions: Dress up as a digger/trooper.

Group Members: Zahra, Tyler, Joel, Clara, Nala **
 * GROUP 2 - Effects on the environment

Students present a powerpoint presentation showing the effects of mining on the environment. It must include at least 4 slides. Present the information to the other classrooms showing the effects that mining had on the environment. Allow for students to ask questions.

A useful link: []

Each student in the group will be provided with a small piece of fruit cake. Students will dig for the cherries and sultanas (resembles gold).

Ask, 'What is left of the cake now? How is this similar to when the diggers were mining for gold?' Have a discussion with the group. Remember to be confident in your presentation and have a good understanding of the topic as you will become the teacher.

**GROUP 3 - Equipment used to mine Group Members: Ryan, Jarrod, Ethan, Duygu, Zoe**

Create an early poppet head, miner's windlass, miner's cradle (use boxes), wheelbarrow and a range of other miner's equipment. I have some templates available. When teaching your group go through the definition board specifically looking at the terms used for mining. Create more definitions if needed. Explain how a cradle was used to mine and some of the other types of equipment. Set up an area in the classroom where all of the equipment can be displayed. Explain what alluvial gold was and what led to shaft mining?

Students will then have a go at panning outside on the grassed area and see if they have any luck digging for gold.

** GROUP 4 - Interview with a miner of the gold era Group Members: Rochelle, Anthony, Nathan, Dion, Bri**

Create an interview with a miner of the gold era. He will be an alluvial miner from the early period of individual diggers. Find out from him a little of his background, what his experiences on the goldfields have been, and what he does at work every day. What are the dangers involved in mining? Is it easy work? What does the day in the life of the miner involve? You need to write down your questions and responses and have it checked by the teacher. Discuss the dangers of life down the mines, the working conditions, and why men did the job in those days? Your group needs to work together to develop some good responses to the questions you are asking this miner. You may like to film the interview and play on the day or conduct the interview live for the other classrooms.

**GROUP 5 - Townships/ Famous Australian Nuggets Group Members: Vera, Alana, Vita, Damla, Venessa, Michael**

Develop a large map of Australia and plot some key towns where gold was found in Australia. Develop information about the different towns where gold was found and write this information on cards to be discussed with the other classrooms. Highlight where some famous Australian nuggets were found. For instance, 'The Welcome Stranger' was the largest nugget found in Victoria. It was found near a town called Dunolly. You may like to use gold paper to plot places on the map.

Develop a quiz to test the other classrooms on the information you have shared with them.

For instance: In which town was gold first found?

To provide assistance with this task refer to the website: []