American West-The Railroad

ear Colleague,

Imagine a United States divided in two — settlers desperate to move west, industries hungry for resources, and Native American lands about to be transformed forever. The answer came with steel and steam: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad after the Railroad Act of 1862.

This lesson is the eighth in a unit on the American West. It explores why the railroad was needed, how it was built, and its lasting impact on both settlers and Plains Indians. Students will develop their knowledge through interactive tasks and apply it to an exam-style question.

All lessons in this series follow a consistent structure, supporting coherent learning and helping students track their progress:

LO 1:To discuss the reasons why the US needed a national railroad.
LO 2: To understand the outcomes of the railroad.
LO3: To evaluate the outcomes of the railroad.

Learning Features:
Fully assessed tasks with opportunities for feedback
Extension activity for higher-achieving students
Resources provided at the end of the PowerPoint

This is a knowledge-rich lesson that can run for 1.5 hours; alternatively, it can be split across two sessions.

If you are happy with your resource, PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW – it really helps my shop grow and allows me to keep creating high-quality lessons for you. If you encounter any issues, please email me at alepitirra@hotmail.it
and I’ll do my best to resolve them.

Best regards,
Alessio