All Aboard

Transcontinental Railroad

By

Kristin Delzer - Suring High School, History Teacher

Molly Marquardt - Suring Junior High, History Teacher

Marc Kinziger - Oconto Falls High School, History Teacher

This WebQuest is best viewed in Internet Explorer

{Introduction} {Task} {Process} {Resources} {Evaluation} {Conclusion}

{Teacher's Notes} { ITLS Standards} {WI Social Studies Standards}

INTRODUCTION

CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected from thousands of applicants by the "ALL ABOARD" game company. Our company creates mind-stimulating board games about planes, trains, and automobiles. Your first project on your new job is to create a game detailing the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. You will be working in teams of 4 to 5, and be asked to produce a game that depicts important historical data related to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. You and your team are responsible for all research on the topic, as well as, the writing of questions and providing the answers for these questions. A complete guide to all game rules is also required. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

TASK

JOB DESCRIPTION

As part of this position, each team member will be required to take on the role of one of the following professionals. {1. Geographer 2. Investor/owner 3. Railroad Worker 4. Engineer 5. Historian} These professionals will help you gather the information needed to create your game. It is your duty to find out all pertinent information on your assigned role and report that information back to your team.

PROCESS

1. Establish the needed role for each team member {1. Geographer 2. Investor/owner 3. Worker 4. Engineer 5. Historian}
2. Research your assigned role on the Internet or outside sources noting important facts or details.
3. Decide on a game format and name for your game. (To help with this, look at other games, discuss goals, scorekeeping, and rules for your game.)
4. Plan your game on paper before you develop it.
5. Together as a team write relevant questions pertaining to the given topics and provide answers for these questions.
6. Produce the game components using rulers, stencils, and a compass to plan your layout.
7. Play your game and modify as needed.
8. Play other classmates' games and provide feedback.
9. HAVE FUN!

RESOURCES 

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

At the conclusion of the unit, the students will be evaluated on both group and individual performance. A rubric will be used for both peer and instructor evaluations. A student self-assessment is also provided.

To see the Wisconsin Information and Technology Literacy Standards, click here. To see the Wisconsin Academic Content Standards for Social Studies, click here.

CONCLUSION

Upon completion of this WebQuest you will have gained a better understanding of the Transcontinental Railroad. You will also understand its effects on our growing nation, the people within, and its economy. Also, you will learn how to use the computer as a resource and how to work as a team to complete a task.

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