“All Aboard the Transcontinental Railroad!”

1. “All Aboard the Transcontinental Railroad!” Webquest by Martha Thornton, Paris Elementary School, Greenville, SC

2. Welcome aboard! Hope you’re ready for an amazing adventure! Going West for anyone in the late 1800’s was always adventurous, but especially for those working on the railroad.You have decided to join the workforce, building the railroad that is supposed to cross the continent. One company, the Union Pacific Railroad, starts in Omaha, Nebraska. The other one, the Central Pacific Railroad, begins in Sacramento, California.Your team will need to choose a Railroad Company to work for by clicking on a link below. Once you agree to work, there’s no turning back until the railroad is complete. Good Luck! Central Pacific Union Pacific

3. You are a newspaper reporter following the Central Pacific Railroad. Your job is to learn as much as you can about the life of a railroad worker. Divide the jobs below between your team members and fill out the graphic organizers to help you collect your information. Once your team has enough information, you will be creating a newspaper to tell about your experience. Welcome to the Central Pacific Railroad! Geographer Daily Life Native Americans Lookout Photo Assignment

4. You are a newspaper reporter following the Union Pacific Railroad. Your job is to learn as much as you can about the life of a railroad worker. Divide the jobs below between your team members and fill out the graphic organizers to help you collect your information. Once your team has enough information, you will be creating a newspaper to tell about your experience. Welcome to the Union Pacific Railroad! Geographer Daily Life Native American Lookout Photo Assignment

5. The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range The Central Pacific built their track through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. This was the most difficult task for the entire Transcontinental Railroad project. Click on the following links to learn about the land and the dangers that it caused for the workers. The Land The Chinese The Experience

6. Use these maps to answer questions in your Geographer Notepad about the land in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Sacramento Area

7. Answer questions in your Notepad about the precipitation in the mountains. Sacramento Area

8. The Great Plains The Union Pacific built their track through the Great Plains. Even though they had great, flat land for most of their journey, they faced many different challenges along the way. Click on the following links to learn about the land and how it helped the railroad, as well as the difficulties it gave them. The animals The land The Experience

9. Use the map to answer the questions in your Geographer Notepad about the precipitation in the Great Plains.

10. Answer the questions in your Geographers Notepad by using this map about the land in the Great Plains.

11. Native Americans Conflicts While these articles are specific for the Central Pacific, both sides experienced very similar issues with the Native Americans. Native American Life Why The Conflict?

12. Transcontinental Railroad Photo Gallery Choose a photo from the link below (you may use photo #6-9). Use the page in your Reporter Notepad to write a story about what is happening in the picture. Make sure to use what you have learned on your adventure on the Transcontinental Railroad in your description. Photo Gallery Link

13. Congratulations! You have successfully finished your research. Now, begin working on your article for your newspaper. You group can work together. Use Microsoft Publisher to create your paper, be creative, and have fun!