Grade 2 Read-Aloud

164 Westward Expansion: Supplemental Guide 8 | Working on the Transcontinental Railroad

 Compare and contrast similarities and differences between the

steamboat and the locomotive (RI.2.9)

 Write simple sentences to represent details or information from

“Working on the Transcontinental Railroad” (W.2.2)

 With assistance, categorize and organize information within a

domain to answer questions (W.2.8)

 Draw pictures to represent details or information from “Working

on the Transcontinental Railroad” (SL.2.5)

 Use word parts to determine meanings (L.2.4c)

 Provide antonyms of core vocabulary words, such as convenient

and inconvenient (L.2.5a)

 Prior to listening to “Working on the Transcontinental Railroad,”

identify what they know and have learned about transportation

and people moving westward

 Share writing with others

Core Vocabulary

ancestor, n. A family member who lived a long, long time ago; a forefather

Example: Michelle’s ancestors came to the “New World” on the

Mayfl ower many, many years ago.

Variation(s): ancestors

convenient, adj. Comfortable or easy to use; easy to get to

Example: Living close to the center of town is convenient because we

can walk to the store, library, bank and restaurant.

Variation(s): none

iron horse, n. A nickname for the fi rst locomotives

Example: The loud whistle and hissing steam of the “iron horse” was a

shock to the Native Americans living on the previously quiet prairie.

Variation(s): iron horses

spanned, v. Covered the length of something from one end to the other

Example: Maria’s large chalk drawings spanned from one end of her

driveway to the other.

Variation(s): span, spans, spanning

transcontinental railroad, n. A railroad system that stretches all the way

from the East Coast to the West Coast of the continental United States

Example: Many people across the country contributed to the building of

the transcontinental railroad.

Variation(s): transcontinental railroads