Lesson Plan: Exploring America's Train Stations: A Captivating Walking Tour
Lesson Plan: Exploring America's Train Stations: A Captivating Walking Tour
Grade Level: K-12
Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to investigate the historical and cultural significance of American train stations through a virtual walking tour, and develop an appreciation for the role they played in shaping transportation and communities.
Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.7: Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person's life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.
Materials:
- Access to the internet or library resources
- Paper and pencils
Procedure:
1. Introduction (5 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of train stations and asking students about their experiences or knowledge of them.
- Show pictures or videos of different American train stations to pique students' interest.
2. Research and Discussion (15 minutes):
- Instruct students to research and find information about American train stations, focusing on their historical and cultural significance.
- Encourage students to explore topics such as the development of railroads, architectural styles of train stations, and the impact on local communities.
- Allow students to discuss their findings in small groups or pairs.
3. Virtual Walking Tour (15 minutes):
- Guide students through a virtual walking tour of selected American train stations, using online resources or multimedia presentations.
- Highlight key features, architectural details, and historical anecdotes of each train station visited during the tour.
4. Class Discussion (10 minutes):
- Lead a class discussion on the historical and cultural significance of the train stations visited during the virtual walking tour.
- Encourage students to cite textual evidence and share their inferences drawn from the information presented.
5. Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes):
- Have students individually write a short paragraph reflecting on what they learned from the lesson and whether they find train stations interesting or would like to visit one.
- Allow a few students to share their reflections with the class, if time permits.
Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.7
Join me for a walking tour of an American train station in Washington D.C. Union Station is a beautifully restored historic landmark serving the metropolitan Washington D.C. area. New York City is a 4-hour train ride away.
