Brown-Gold Simulation Adapted by Ms. Nelson

Quick Thoughts for you Journal Define EXPLORATION How does exploration differ from colonization? What does this mean to us today? What is left to “explore”?

Post Video Discussion Turn with your table group and discuss the videos. Use the following questions as a guide. What did you learn about Leif Erickson? Who do you think really discovered America? Why do you think there is a debate about who really discovered America? What do you think it is like to be an explorer?

Age of Exploration Simulation Find the GOLD!

You have been chosen…. Today you and your team of explorers will represent your country in a quest for treasure!!!! Somewhere in the room is treasure and it is your job to find it. Once you find it, you must bring it back to your King or Queen ….or else risk beheading!! Teacher begins lesson with a brief oral review of lessons learned about explorers.... as she is asking questions and students are sharing their learning, teacher takes out a small bar of chocolate and unwraps it. She tastes a few pieces, remarking on its smell, texture, yumminess.... giving a few bits to a few students. She asks students questions about the gold the explorers had searched for.. and then tells them that they will pretend to be explorers on a search for gold... not real gold.... but a very large bar of "brown gold" (chocolate) which is hidden in the classroom

How the Search for GOLD will work Brainstorm: Appropriate behavior while searching the world (aka the room) for gold ???

How the Search for GOLD will work Before explorers are sent out, “Countries” must first make a plan/strategy.

How the Search for GOLD will work Explorers are only allowed to look for treasure in one place and report back to their “King” or “Queen” what they found - then they can send the next group out to look another place

Countries Represented Spain – 3 Explorers Portugal – 2 Explorers England – 2 Explorers France – 1 Explorer Netherlands (Holland) – 1 Explorer Native Americans Not every country has equal resources or drive to explore. Therefore, when dividing the class, MAKE SURE Spain has the MOST members & France/Holland should have the LEAST members. Portugal should have slightly more than England. IMPORTANT: Once class is divided, the group will only send the above allotted # of explorers out at a time. See next slide.

What did you learn about explorers FEELINGS or MOTIVES? Discussion What did you learn about explorers FEELINGS or MOTIVES? IMPORTANT: This is the key question.... spend some time developing it with students. Possible questions to ask: •Were you excited about finding the Brown Gold? How do you think the explorers felt about finding gold? Can you make a connection between the numbers of explorers and the chances of finding the Brown Gold? Was there also a limited amount of gold in the New World? How did you feel when the other "country" found the Brown Gold? What did you want to do?

Now that our quest is done. Flip to the back of your paper. Put your name and date at the top. Label it “exploration simulation” HOT DOG FOLD IT.

Make a T- Chart. On the left put SIMULATION On the Right put REALITY

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy.

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. Spain discovers gold in the new world.

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Spain discovers gold in the new world.

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources).

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources).

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources). Gold was rare (hidden).

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Students search for candy. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources). Gold was rare (hidden).

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Students search for candy. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources). Gold was rare (hidden). Explorers sent to new world.

Simulation Reality Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Students search for candy. 1 group finds candy. Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for claims (resources). Gold was rare (hidden). Explorers sent to new world.

Simulation Reality Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for Claims (resources) Gold was rare (hidden). Explorers sent to new world. Successful countries find gold. Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Students search for candy. 1 group finds candy.

Simulation Reality Spain discovers gold in the new world. European countries compete for Claims (resources). Gold was rare (hidden). Explorers sent to new world. Successful countries find gold. Other countries are jealous and angry. Teacher ate the candy. You were put into groups representing countries. Candy was hidden. Students search for candy. 1 group finds candy. Other students are jealous and angry.