Lesson Plan

Title: Trains Today

Level: Grades 4-7 or "middle school"

Length: 25-35 minutes. Can be divided into 2 or more segments.

Materials : A large map of the U.S. References can be made to usual social studies textbooks as appropriate.

Introduction: Ask pupils what they know already about trains and railroads. Have they seen a train in action? Have they ridden Amtrak? Do they know anyone who works for the railroad? Did they ever think of a railroad career?

Procedure and Development: Pupils can work directly with the computer. They can explore and read about the different railroad categories and items. (As they enter each, a train whistle will sound.) All can be downloaded to make transparencies to facilitate class discussion. Use questions under the Assessment portion to stimulate class discussion. Perhaps pupils could form groups to answer the questions collectively.

Convenient Helpers: Children in this age category can learn more about railroading through the Express - The Railroad Card Game . More precocious or talented and gifted students could benefit from the game Empire Builder which teaches both history and geography. There are two interesting movies on VHS available for this age group. The Great Locomotive Chase is an account of Union soldiers stealing a Confederate locomotive. (The soldiers received the first Congressional Medal of Honor.) Kansas Pacific shows the building of a railroad on the frontier and North-South tensions before the Civil War. Cecil B. DeMille's Union Pacific can also be useful. All three can be used to teach history and geography as well as creating an interest in the railroad.

Pupils would also enjoy learning about a nearby railroad through video. Various companies have such videos available. Their ordering information is available through their advertisements in popular railroad magazines: Railroad and Railfan , Trains and Vintage Rails . These are available at most newsstands.

Pupils are able to read articles in these magazines - perhaps give a report to class on a particular article.

Assignments can be given out of Trains Across the Continent by Rudolph Daniels. Pupils can easily relate events from railroad history and various aspects of U.S. history, economics, geography, and sociology. This book is an excellent addition to the school library.

Closure: Ask students how the railroads helped build the United States. Ask why trains are important for our future. Ask how many would like to work for the railroad. Which particular career?

Assessment: How well do pupils respond to discussion questions? Are pupils interested in learning more about trains and railroading? A field trip to a railroad museum or rail yard is a great reward to pupils. Could someone be a guest speaker in class?