Green Room: Eras In Transportation

During week 1 in the Green Room, students will be introduced to the history of modern transportation. Students will begin their journey by first exploring modes of transportation in the Wild West! In the days of pioneers, cowboys rode horses, families traveled in wagons and goods were brought from one county to another through the use of stagecoaches. Throughout the week students will learn about a variety of ways to travel during this time in history, however, an emphasis will be placed on early versions of planes, trains and automobiles. By placing a greater amount of focus on these three types of transportation, students will be able to clearly see the incredible progress that transportation has made over the years.

Week 1 Sub Theme Objectives:

1. Become familiar with the types of transportation used during the Wild West with special attention paid to the beginnings of planes, trains and automobiles.
2. Know the purpose of each mode of transportation (i.e. traveling, moving goods, etc.).
3. Know the weaknesses of each mode of transportation (i.e. stagecoaches were robbed, horses were stolen, etc.).
4. Be challenged to think about how weather could have affected each mode of transportation and the alterations that may have been necessary to the transportation or journey because of it.

Week 2 in the Green Room will be focused on the transportation of the early 20th century. The world of transportation experienced many firsts at this time in history. It was during this time when the mass production of automobiles first came into view and Henry Ford’s famous Model-T was born! Airplanes also took hold of the world’s attention when the Wright Brothers first flew their airplane in 1903. Throughout the week students will learn about a variety of ways to travel during this time in history, however, an emphasis will be placed on early versions of planes, trains and automobiles. Like in week 1, by placing a greater amount of focus on these three types of transportation, students will be able to clearly see the incredible progress that transportation has made over the years.

Week 2 Sub Theme Objectives:

1. Become familiar with the types of transportation used during the early 20th century specifically planes, trains and automobiles.
2. Know the purpose of each mode of transportation (i.e. traveling, moving goods, etc.).
3. Be challenged to think about the types of things these modes of transportation allowed people to do in the early 20th century (i.e. work further from home, purchase goods from a city, etc.) and how it changed society at this time.

Week 3 in the Green Room will be focused on the transportation of today! The progress that the transportation industry has made since the early 20th century is remarkable. Some automobiles now reach speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour and military airplanes consistently fly three times as fast as the speed of sound! Throughout the week students will learn about a variety of ways people travel today, however, an emphasis will be still be placed on planes, trains and automobiles. Like with previous weeks, by placing a greater amount of focus on these three types of transportation, students will be able to clearly see the incredible progress that transportation has made over the years.

Week 3 Sub Theme Objectives:

1. Be familiar with the types of transportation used today, specifically planes, trains and automobiles.
2. Discuss the opportunities people have today due to the types of transportation available to them (i.e. fly somewhere for a meeting, commute long distances in a car, take a cruise for vacation, transport goods around the world, etc.).
3. Discuss the focus of the automobile industry in today’s “green” climate i e alternative fuel sources).

Week 4 in the Green Room will turn its’ focus to the future of transportation! This is a week to let students’ imaginations take hold! By using the information they have learned throughout the month, students will make informed predictions about what types of vehicles may exist in the future, including their appearance, purpose and fuel sources. Throughout the week students will make predictions about how they believe people will travel in the future, however, an emphasis will still be placed on planes, trains and automobiles. Students will be asked to think about and discuss whether or not these modes of transportation will still exist in the future, and if they do, to predict how they will look and function.

Week 4 Sub Theme Objectives:

1. Think about and discuss the types of transportation that may be available in the future with an emphasis on the types of planes, trains and automobiles that may or may not be around.
2. Participate in the creation of a vehicle that may exist in the future including discussing what thevehicle looks like, what type of fuel it uses and what purpose it would serve.

A Child’s Place in Time & Space (1st grade level):

1.2.4 Describe how location, weather, and physical environment affect the way people live, including the effects on their transportation

Statistics, Data Analysis & Probability (level k):

1.1 Pose information questions; collect data; and record results using objects, pictures and picture graphs

Numbers and Shapes:

Recognition, Writing Numbers and Drawing Shapes