The Transcontinental Railroad

Social Studies American History Civil War Through 1900 The Transcontinental Railroad
Students create a visual about a mode of transportation and how it has contributed to human movement. Then they watch a brief video to learn about the construction of the transcontinental railroad and its contributions to the economic development of the United States. Next they focus on the role of Chinese immigrants in the construction work and analyze why immigrants often take low-paying jobs. Finally, they examine both primary and secondary sources about early train robberies.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for The Transcontinental Railroad:

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Overview

In this experience, students create a visual about a mode of transportation and how it has contributed to human movement. Then they watch a brief video to learn about the construction of the transcontinental railroad and its contributions to the economic development of the United States. Next they focus on the role of Chinese immigrants in the construction work and analyze why immigrants often take low-paying jobs. Finally, they examine both primary and secondary sources about early train robberies.

If you have access to leveled readers that describe modes of transportation, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience.

Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes

Vocabulary words:

  • land grant
  • acre
  • unrest
  • prejudice
  • efficient

Objectives

  • Describe the building of the transcontinental railroad.
  • Explain how railroads affected settlement patterns in the United States.
  • Analyze how railroads led to economic growth in the United States.
  • Identify the immigrants groups that helped build the railroad.


Engage


Before the Civil War, developments like steamships, canals, and the National Road were making travel westward much faster and cheaper. During the Civil War, Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act, calling for the construction of a railroad that stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. In this experience, you will learn about the economic and social impact of the transcontinental railroad.

Objectives
  • Describe the building of the transcontinental railroad.
  • Explain how railroads affected settlement patterns in the United States.
  • Analyze how railroads led to economic growth in the United States.
  • Identify the immigrants groups that helped build the railroad.


photo of train engine arriving into station with lines of people greeting it

The newly completed transcontinental railroad,
rails meet from east and west at Promontory Point, Utah, in 1869


Throughout human history, developments in means of transportation have enabled people to travel farther out into the world. From early traders traveling by ship or camel to modern jets crossing the globe, transportation has been important in moving both people and goods.


Choose any means of transportation. Draw or upload a picture of it and add a caption explaining how it has contributed to human movement.


Use this exercise to check student prior knowledge and to stir interest in modes of transportation.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

End of Preview
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