TRANSPORTATION LESSON PLAN

Subject: History Grade: 8 Duration: Two classes

Objectives
Students will be able to: 1. Recognize railroads function as a means of travel. 2. Compare benefits of traveling by various means.

Materials
For this lesson, you will need: Art materials. Internet access.

Procedures
1. This project requires students to look at their hometown from the perspective of transportation options and to determine what option, if any, the railroads offer. With maps readily available, ask each student to select as a travel destination a large city at least 500 miles from where he or she lives. Each student's objective is to figure out the best way of getting to that destination and back. Options they should look into include train, bus, and plane. 2. Lead a class brainstorming session on how students can initiate research on the best way for them to travel roundtrip between home and their target cities at least 500 miles away. The goal is to help students determine, first of all, which modes of transportation are available to them for their imaginary trips. 6. Give each student an opportunity to explain in an oral presentation how he or

she has decided to travel from home to the destination city and back. At some point in each presentation, the student should clearly state whether it is possible to travel between the two places by train and, if so why that option is or is not attractive.

Evaluation Rubric

Three points: extremely well ordered presentation with clearly stated travel preference; smooth presentation with no hesitation; consistent loud voice and good eye contact Two points: adequately ordered presentation with clearly stated travel preference; smooth presentation with minimal hesitation; occasionally muffled voice and sometimes absence of eye contact One point: poorly ordered presentation without clearly stated travel preference; presentation marked by many hesitations; voice not loud enough and eye contact absent