Westward Expansion: Supplemental Guide 8 |Working on the Transcontinental Railroad 163 Lesson Objectives
Core Content Objectives
Students will:
Identify steamboats, canals, and trains as new means of travel
that increased the movement of people west
Identify the transcontinental railroad as a link between the East
and the West
Explain the advantages of rail travel
Identify “iron horse” as the nickname given to the fi rst
locomotive trains in America
Demonstrate familiarity with the song “I’ve Been Working on the
Railroad”Language Arts Objectives
The following language arts objectives are addressed in this
lesson. Objectives aligning with the Common Core State
Standards are noted with the corresponding standard in
parentheses. Refer to the Alignment Chart for additional standards
addressed in all lessons in this domain.
Students will:
Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in
the song “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” (RL.2.4)
Identify the main topic of “Working on the Transcontinental
Railroad” by creating a quilt square (RI.2.2)
Describe the connection between a series of historical events such
as the transcontinental railroad and westward expansion (RI.2.3)
With assistance, create and interpret a timeline related to the
transcontinental railroad and westward expansion (RI.2.7)WWorking on the orking on the