Transcontinental Railroad Bundle

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Content Standards Addressed:

4.4 Students explain how California became an agricultural and industrial power, tracing the transformation of the California economy and its political and cultural development since the 1850s.

1. Understand the story and lasting influence of the Pony Express, Overland Mail Service, Western Union, and the building of the transcontinental railroad, including the contributions of Chinese workers to its construction.

Includes 4 Transcontinental Resources ready to use in your classroom today!

1. Choice Menu (offers choice)

2. Hyperdoc (tech integration, self-paced learning)

3. Digital Breakout (cooperative learning, critical thinking)

4. Depth and Complexity Frames (critical thinking, extension of learning)

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Choice Menu Info:

a variety of activities for students to choose from

sample of what is included:

Railroad Collage

Create a collage in a creative shape (ex: railroad car, RR crossing sign, etc.) to show important events and ideas of the transcontinental railroad. Write a paragraph explaining the pictures you’ve included. Be creative!

Railroad Map

By 1890, there were five transcontinental railroads in the United States. Research the locations and paths of the five transcontinental railroads and draw these paths on a blank map of the United States. Label major cities that each railroad passes through. Write a paragraph that explains what happened to the growth of these cities as a result of the railroad.

Pony Express Advertisement

Imagine your job is to hire new riders for the Pony Express. Write a ½ page ad that summarizes the tasks involved as well as the skills and personal qualities a successful rider needs. Include an illustration.

Biography

Choose an important person discussed in the chapter. Create a poster honoring that person in some way. Include symbols and pictures that represent the person’s contributions to CA. Write a paragraph explaining the significance of symbols and pictures you used. You may also include a drawing of the person.

Basic Rubric Included

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Hyperdoc Info:

This hyperdoc style doc enables your students to explore many aspects of the Transcontinental Railroad!

Students are asked to examine photos, watch videos, read information from websites, etc. Students utilize many skills such as synthesizing, inferring, examining, comparing/contrasting, etc.

Students share their thinking through padlet and flipgrid (*optional component)

Topics covered:

The Big Four

The Union Pacific and Central Pacific

The Golden Spike

Challenges Workers Faced

Impact of the Railroad on America's economy and much more!

Students are asked to create several products such as a google slides presentation, utilize google my maps to create an interactive map, and more!

Engage your students today with this great resource! Just post the link on your Google Classroom page, and BAM! Students are ready to learn!

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GATE FRAMES Info:

Two depth and complexity frames about the Transcontinental Railroad are included

Focus on Sandra Kaplan's icons

Help your students critically think about this major invention and learn about the rr with multiple lenses!

Sample questions:

What three details show that the railroad was beneficial to America?

In your opinion, what do you think was the biggest challenge for a railroad worker?

What new words and meanings helped you understand this topic better?

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Digital Breakout Info:

Increase your students' critical thinking skills and knowledge about the Transcontinental Railroad with this digital escape room! Check out my store for other railroad resources (both digital and non-digital).

Students can work in pairs or small groups to navigate the Google Site to gather clues to break out! Students work through various locks in this fun, interactive, and engaging way to review the novel and integrate technology!

Scenario: It is May 10, 1869 in Promontory Summit, Utah. You are about to hammer in the final spike to join the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad tracks.  You realize you don't have the the golden spike, and it will only be handed over to you if you solve and unlock these codes! Good luck!

Directions: Use the clues provided to decipher each lock. Type your answers in the correct space on the Google Form below. Be sure to pay attention to the answer format. Click submit when you think you've answered each question correctly. A "Congratulations" message will appear if you're right! If not, go back and re-work the items you've answered incorrectly.

What is a digital breakout?

A digital breakout has students find a series of online clues to unlock "locks." Breakouts are a great way to increase student engagement in the 21st century. The 4Cs are incorporated as students must collaborate, communicate, create, and think critically!

5 Locks (Google Form):

ABC Lock

Crossword Lock

Number Lock

True/False Lock

Rebus Lock

Answer Key Included!

30-45 min time limit is suggested. Groups of 2-4 sharing one device suggested.

Purchased document is a PDF that includes a Google Sites link with the breakout. Google Classroom ready!

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