Lesson Plan

Title: Trains for Tots

Level: Preschool - Kindergarten

Concept/Objective: Children learn to identify railroad items and develop the ability to read certain terms.

Length: 10-12 minutes. Divided into 3-4 minute segments.

Materials : Child care providers and teachers can print the various screens off the FRA Web site.

Introduction: Ask children if they have ever seen a train and/or railroad tracks in real life, on television, or a movie. Do they know anyone who works for the railroad?

Procedure and Development: Children can work directly with the computer. They can associate pictures/drawings with words by clicking the mouse on the correct answer. (A train whistle will sound.) The teacher can make transparencies or hard copy from the screen to go over the lesson if more convenient. The drawings can be displayed in various parts of the room, colored with crayon, etc., to reinforce learning.

Convenient Helpers: There are many inexpensive items available about trains for this age group. Children are attracted to videos, games and other items of the cartoon series "Thomas the Tank Engine" . (A tank engine is a steam locomotive without a tender. The coal is kept in a small area behind the engineer. It was used for very short distances or freight yard work.)

"Operation Lifesaver" has available the tape "Sly Fox and Birdie". It is about public railroad safety and is directed at the preschool and early grades.

Closure: Ask children to look for and bring with them photos of trains for display. Ask if anyone would like to work with trains when he or she grows up.

Assessment: Look over their ability to identify the various railroad items. The lesson may have to be repeated several times.

Resources : The best and most readable source is Trains Across the Continent by Rudolph Daniels.