General goals: To use a discussion of the Klondike Gold Rush so students understand the role technology plays in their lives.

Curriculum links: Economy and Technology: It is expected that students will describe how technology affects individuals and communities.

Materials and equipment: A Klondike Cat by Julie Lawson. Box for "time travel mail box". Students will need writing materials.

Introduction: Introduce the story by explaining that over 100 years ago, a ship carrying more than one ton of gold from the Yukon arrived in Seattle. (Or if you have been studying the gold rush, remind them of this part of the story) Ask students to imagine how exciting it would be to see that. Many people made plans to go to the Yukon and get gold for themselves. This story is about a boy who went to look for gold with his father. Read the story aloud with the class.

Activity:Brainstorm ways that the world is different now than it was in Noah's time. Comparing the methods of transportation that Noah and his father used to transportation today may be a good place to start this discussion. As a class, come up with a definition of technology. Have each student pick one aspect of modern technology and write a letter to Noah explaining it to him.
They should explain what it is, what it is used for, and how their lives
are different than Noah’s because of it. Set up a special box in the classroom to be a "time travel mail box" Students mail their letters in the time travel mailbox when they are finished writing. After you have read the students’ letters write a "reply" from Noah and read it with the class the next day.

Extension: Have students imagine something that has not yet been invented. How might this technology change the lives of students in the future? Students should draw this invention, and write a few sentences underneath their picture explaining what the invention is and what it does.