To teach the subject of railroads in the West is to teach geography, social and technological history, and the wonders of big business. This module, comprised of background essays, primary source documents, an interactive activity for young learners, and lesson plans provides a multitude of opportunities to examine both Washington and U.S. history.

Lesson plans for elementary classes examine the concept of time and how it came to be precisely measured due to demands of the railroads. Building a water clock, examining the birth of time zones, and pondering ideas of marked time and mechanical clocks are all part of the experience.

Lesson plans for middle and high school classes encourage students to debate issues surrounding the Chinese Expulsion from Tacoma through interpretation of primary source documents - letters, images, posters, and first-hand accounts. In this Classroom Based Assessment, students look at the situation from multiple points of view and participate in a Socratic seminar.

Whether used in its entirety or used in part, the information and lesson plans presented here will help students build an understanding of the dreams, challenges, payoffs, and trade-offs faced by those who dared to envision the West the Railroads Made.



PHOTO: Classroom interior at South School, Seattle. About 30 children work with pencil and paper at their desks. Washington State Historical Society Collections.