Lesson Plan
Gold Rush Math Quest Lesson Plan
Students will embark on a Gold Rush–themed math adventure where they solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division challenges to earn virtual gold nuggets, sharpening mental math and collaborative problem-solving skills.
This engaging, game-based approach boosts motivation, reinforces core arithmetic in a real-world context, promotes teamwork, and builds fluency essential for 6th-grade math success.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction
3 minutes
Step 2
Rules Explanation
2 minutes
Step 3
Gameplay
20 minutes
Step 4
Debrief and Reflection
5 minutes
Slide Deck
Gold Rush Math Quest
Our Gold Rush Adventure
Learning Objectives
Game Materials
How to Play
Sample Math Challenge
Tracking Your Gold
Let the Quest Begin!
Debrief & Reflection
Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity
Lesson Plan
Three-Day Gold Rush Math Series
Over three 30-minute sessions, students dive into a Gold Rush adventure—building arithmetic fluency, tackling multi-step word problems, and competing in a “Claim Jumper” tournament to sharpen problem-solving, teamwork, and mental math.
Thematic, scaffolded games boost engagement, reinforce core operations, deepen reasoning through real-world contexts, and foster collaboration—key skills for middle school math success.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
20 minutes
Step 1
Day 1: Prospecting for Fluency
30 minutes
Step 2
Day 2: Digging into Word Problems
30 minutes
Step 3
Day 3: Claim Jumper Tournament
30 minutes
Worksheet
Lesson Plan
Gold Vein Geometry Expedition
Students will explore the geometry of “gold veins” on a mining map—measuring area, perimeter, and interior angles of various shapes—to apply and reinforce formulas in a hands-on, real-world context.
Connecting geometry to a Gold Rush scenario engages students, deepens spatial reasoning, and solidifies understanding of area, perimeter, and angle measurement.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Vein Geometry
5 minutes
Step 2
Measure the Veins
10 minutes
Step 3
Design Your Own Vein
10 minutes
Step 4
Share & Reflect
5 minutes
Lesson Plan
Gold Pan Probability Dive
Students will simulate gold panning to collect data, calculate experimental probabilities of finding a “gold nugget,” and compare their results to theoretical probabilities.
Hands-on probability experiments in a fun Gold Rush context help students connect theoretical concepts to real data, deepen understanding of experimental vs. theoretical probability, and practice data recording and analysis.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Introduction to Probability
5 minutes
Step 2
Gold Panning Simulation
15 minutes
Step 3
Data Analysis
5 minutes
Step 4
Debrief & Reflection
5 minutes
