Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key terms aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad. It is helpful for students to preview vocabulary and important terms when studying history to help give them context.
Examples of Terms Related to the Transcontinental Railroad
ballast: Gravel or rocks used to hold ties in place and to provide good drainage.
continent: One of the earth's seven major areas of land. The continents are: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
couple: To hook two train cars together.
end o track: The railhead, or end of the tracks.
engineer: A driver of a train. Also, a person who designs and directs construction of a railroad.
fishplate: A flat piece of metal used to connect two rails end-to-end.
flatcar: A railroad car without any sides.
gandy dancer: A man who aligns the rails; also called a track liner.
gang: a crew of railroad workers.
gorges: Narrow spaces between rocky cliffs
grade: Ground that has been leveled and smoothed for a railroad
graders: Workers who level out roadways or other surfaces
granite: A hard stone that is created as a result of volcanic activity
hogger: The engineer, or driver of a train; also called a hoagie, or hoghead.
immigrants: People who settle permanently in a country where they were not born.
iron car: A flat car pulled over rails by men or animals, used to carry iron rails, tools, and supplies
Iron Horse: The Native Americans' name for a locomotive.
ironmen: The men who lay the rails onto the ties.
locomotive: An engine that pulls or pushes railroad cars that is powered by either steam, electricity or diesel fuel.
maul: A hammer for driving spikes.
pioneer: A person who aligns the ties.
rail: An iron bar forming a train track.
roadbed: The ground upon which the rails, ties and ballast rest.
settlers: People who make their homes in a new area.
siding: A set of tracks running alongside the main tracks.
spike: A large nail for securing the rails to the ties.
surveyor: A person who measures the land to determine the route for the railroad by measuring angles and distances with special instruments.
tamper: A person who packs down the ballast
telegraph: An instrument that uses electrical signals, in the form of coded signals, to quickly communicate over large distances.
territories: Regions that are claimed by and are run by a country.
thrusting bolt: A pin used to secure a fishplate to a rail.
ties: Pieces of wood that support the rail to which the rails are fastened.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary and terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitions | The vocabulary words are correctly defined. | The meaning of the vocabulary words can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The vocabulary word is not clearly defined |
| Illustrations | The storyboard illustrations clearly depict the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The illustrations relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words but it they are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Starting a unit or lesson with the key terms aids in overall comprehension and retention. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that defines and illustrates key terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad. It is helpful for students to preview vocabulary and important terms when studying history to help give them context.
Examples of Terms Related to the Transcontinental Railroad
ballast: Gravel or rocks used to hold ties in place and to provide good drainage.
continent: One of the earth's seven major areas of land. The continents are: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
couple: To hook two train cars together.
end o track: The railhead, or end of the tracks.
engineer: A driver of a train. Also, a person who designs and directs construction of a railroad.
fishplate: A flat piece of metal used to connect two rails end-to-end.
flatcar: A railroad car without any sides.
gandy dancer: A man who aligns the rails; also called a track liner.
gang: a crew of railroad workers.
gorges: Narrow spaces between rocky cliffs
grade: Ground that has been leveled and smoothed for a railroad
graders: Workers who level out roadways or other surfaces
granite: A hard stone that is created as a result of volcanic activity
hogger: The engineer, or driver of a train; also called a hoagie, or hoghead.
immigrants: People who settle permanently in a country where they were not born.
iron car: A flat car pulled over rails by men or animals, used to carry iron rails, tools, and supplies
Iron Horse: The Native Americans' name for a locomotive.
ironmen: The men who lay the rails onto the ties.
locomotive: An engine that pulls or pushes railroad cars that is powered by either steam, electricity or diesel fuel.
maul: A hammer for driving spikes.
pioneer: A person who aligns the ties.
rail: An iron bar forming a train track.
roadbed: The ground upon which the rails, ties and ballast rest.
settlers: People who make their homes in a new area.
siding: A set of tracks running alongside the main tracks.
spike: A large nail for securing the rails to the ties.
surveyor: A person who measures the land to determine the route for the railroad by measuring angles and distances with special instruments.
tamper: A person who packs down the ballast
telegraph: An instrument that uses electrical signals, in the form of coded signals, to quickly communicate over large distances.
territories: Regions that are claimed by and are run by a country.
thrusting bolt: A pin used to secure a fishplate to a rail.
ties: Pieces of wood that support the rail to which the rails are fastened.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a spider map that defines and illustrates key vocabulary and terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the title boxes, identify the terms you have chosen.
- In the description boxes, write the definition or description of the term.
- Create an illustration for each term using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Requirements: Must have 3 terms, correct definitions or descriptions, and appropriate illustrations for each that demonstrate your understanding of the words.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitions | The vocabulary words are correctly defined. | The meaning of the vocabulary words can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The vocabulary word is not clearly defined |
| Illustrations | The storyboard illustrations clearly depict the meaning of the vocabulary words. | The illustrations relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words but it they are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Transcontinental Railroad Visual Vocabulary
Organize a classroom vocabulary word wall for the Transcontinental Railroad
Create a dedicated space on your wall for key vocabulary terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad. Display each word with its definition and a student-made illustration to boost daily exposure and recall. This helps students see and use the words in context throughout the unit.
Assign students to become 'word experts' for specific terms
Divide the vocabulary list among students and have each student or pair research their assigned term. Encourage them to present the meaning, context, and a visual or real-life example to the class. This promotes ownership and deeper understanding of the terms.
Incorporate vocabulary games to reinforce learning
Use engaging games such as Vocabulary Bingo, matching terms to definitions, or Pictionary with railroad words. These interactive activities help students remember and apply new terms in a fun, low-pressure environment.
Connect vocabulary to primary source documents
Share authentic photographs, letters, or newspaper articles from the era. Ask students to identify and highlight key terms from your vocabulary list as they appear in these sources. This strategy builds critical reading skills and historical context.
Facilitate student-created quizzes for peer review
Invite students to write short quizzes or digital flashcards about the vocabulary terms. Have classmates swap and complete each other's quizzes for a collaborative review session that solidifies understanding and builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transcontinental Railroad Visual Vocabulary
What is a Transcontinental Railroad visual vocabulary activity?
A Transcontinental Railroad visual vocabulary activity is a lesson where students define and illustrate key terms related to the Transcontinental Railroad to boost understanding and retention. This often involves creating storyboards or visual maps for important vocabulary.
How can I teach Transcontinental Railroad vocabulary to middle school students?
Use visual vocabulary boards or spider maps where students select terms, write definitions, and create illustrations. This approach helps students grasp historical terms and see their context within the Transcontinental Railroad topic.
Why is it important to preview key terms before a history lesson?
Previewing key terms before a history lesson gives students essential context, making it easier to understand new material and improving long-term retention of concepts.
What are some examples of vocabulary words related to the Transcontinental Railroad?
Key terms include ballast, engineer, locomotive, spike, fishplate, ties, gorges, settlers, immigrants, and telegraph. These words help students understand the construction and impact of the Transcontinental Railroad.
What is the best way to assess students' understanding of railroad vocabulary?
The best way to assess is to have students define, illustrate, and explain the terms in their own words through visual boards or story maps, demonstrating both comprehension and creativity.
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