Conclusion

You will have learned the complexities of the time in United States history in which the states truly became united.

Golden Spike Celebration

As a concluding exercise your class can celebrate with a Golden Spike day in which the teams can share with the class what they learned in the research:

Suggestions:

• You can dress in costume.  Regional, period music can provide a backdrop. Students can take turns in character reading their letters out loud in a poet's corner.
• The construction projects can be displayed in an area of the room which may feature other decorations or artifacts from the time period.
• All students will receive a commemorative newspaper which has all of the articles, want-ads and advertisements submitted by the teams.
• Parents and family members can be invited to assist in the celebration by helping to provide ethnic food. (Chinese, Irish, native American and Frontier fare).
• All students can take home as a souvenir a golden spike (spike spray painted gold) and lasting  memories of a time period that came to life.