Fall+2012+Fiesta+7+-+Cougill

I decided to create a starter for a lesson on canal systems in America. This late elementary project is intended to introduce basic concepts about canals and transportation systems of the past. It is certainly expandable beyond the first few pages and could include navigation guides, crew composition, tolls, locks, and so on. It could be built into a complete unit or used to introduce the topic with just a few "thinking projects".

For the second starter I simply updated the project with information to teach about the railroad and its capabilities. This format could also be used for horse-drawn wagons, shipping freighters, trucks, airplanes, or just about any other mode of transportation. The goal is to give students a better understanding of transportation during different eras and the volume different modes of transportation can provide. Comparing modes of transportation will help students grasp why trains quickly replaced canal boats!

First Starter:



Completed Example:



Second Starter: