Unit

Theme:
6-day Unit
Here Comes the Iron Horse

Social Studies: Wyoming History

With reading and writing elements

Unit Objectives:

1. Students should know
Rock Springs History
Where Wyoming is Located
That Wyoming was not a state during the construction of the
Railroad
2. Students will understand
How the railroad shaped Wyoming becoming a territory
How it started population of the territory
The hardships of the railroad to various groups (ex/ Native
Americans, immigrants, and workers)
3. Students will be able to
Understand where the railroad was located in Wyoming
Who worked on the railroad
Specific dates important to the railroad in Wyoming
How they built the railroad in the Wyoming area and other
neighboring territories
4. Students will know the following vocabulary words

 Transcontinental
Laborer
Railcar
5. Students will know the following concepts
Transcontinental Railroad
Union Pacific
Central Pacific
Golden Spike
Iron Horse
Utah common core standards:
Standard 2
Students will understand how Utah's (Wyoming) history has been shaped
by many diverse people, events, and ideas.
o Objective 1
Describe the historical and current impact of various cultural groups
on Utah (Wyoming).

Wyoming common core standards:

WY.4. Content Standard: Time, Continuity and Change
o Students demonstrate an understanding of the people, events,
problems, ideas, and cultures that were significant in the history of
our community, state, nation and world.
4.3. Benchmark:
Students describe the chronology of exploration,
immigration and settlement of Wyoming.

Essential Questions:

How did the Transcontinental Railroad shape the Wyoming Territory?

What was it like to be an immigrant working on the railroad in the 1800s?

Understandings:
The transcontinental railroad was an occasion for the country to become united.

Outline:
Day 1
o Pre assessment for the unit
test
Day 2
o Sort the patterns: an intro into the transcontinental railroad in
Wyoming
Group work
Exit ticket
Day 3
o Video and highlight of unit in Prezi
Using information from the textbook
Exit ticket
Day 4
o Read to gain more information

 Coolies by Yin read aloud

Exit ticket
Day 5
o Project day (writing prompt)
Day 6
o Post assessment of the unit
test