Exploring the History of Transportation: A Journey Through Time

It was so much fun to work with our students to choose our project topic for this quarter. Together, we chose the History of Transportation!

Our Exciting Journey Begins

To kick off our adventure, we traveled back 15,000 years to a time before vehicles or even domestic animals. We took a virtual field trip to the Lascaux caverns in France. There, we learned how archeologists uncover early human history. We discovered early innovations like the wheel and the domestication of horses. Inspired by these discoveries, we created our own cave paintings.

Chariots and Roman Roads

Next, we hopped forward in time to Ancient Rome. We explored chariots and the famous Roman roads. We watched a thrilling re-enactment of a chariot race. Afterward, we built our own chariots, which was a blast!

To our surprise, we learned that almost 2,000 years after the fall of the Roman Empire, people were still traveling in wooden carts pulled by animals! This week, we are diving into the challenges faced by families traveling the Oregon Trail. We are building our own covered wagons and playing an Oregon Trail simulation game. Hopefully, we will make it to Oregon!

A Visit to Roaring Camp

To cap off our studies this month, we traveled to Roaring Camp, a replica 1880s town with a historic railroad. We were thrilled to see a real covered wagon, and we were shocked at how small it was! It was a wonderful experience that brought our learning to life.

The Rise of the Automobile

In December, we'll meet Henry Ford and learn about the innovations that allowed the car to take over the world. We will follow the rise of the interstate highway system and explore some of the less wonderful side effects of our car culture.

The Future of Transportation

Finally, in the new year, students will use all they have learned to design and build their very own vehicles of the future. Are self-driving cars the future? What about flying cars? I can't wait to see what our students will invent!

Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking

This exploration of the History of Transportation is not just about the past. It’s about inspiring the future. I am excited to see how our students will apply their knowledge and creativity.

Together, we are building a supportive community where diverse learners can thrive. Let’s embrace this journey together!