Week 28: Reconstruction and The Transcontinental Railroad
Homeschooling moms must fill up their knowledge bank in order to give the best to their kids. The more mom knows, the better she can teach. Research these topics and share the general idea with younger kids. For older kids, you might invite them to pick a topic to research.
President Andrew Johnson
Topics for Week 28
Andrew Johnson
Reconstruction
Steam Locomotives
Transcontinental Railroad
Discussion Questions
Andrew Johnson
Why was Andrew Johnson impeached?
Reconstruction
How did the Northern States and the Southern States define the idea of "Reconstruction" differently? The South wanted to go back to the way it was before.
What was the Freedmen's Bureau?
How was Sharecropping like slavery?
Steam Locomotives
Steam engines have less thermal efficiency than modern engines. Does the steam engine have potential to become a sustainable method of high-speed transportation?
Transcontinental Railroad
How do efficient freight networks increase a nation's economic prosperity? Who is currently building freight networks in Africa?
Resources:
Books (all links go to Goodreads)
Free E-Books
Activities
1. Find a way to ride a historic train
2. Visit a model train club
3. Research the legacy of slavery in modern culture
4. Continue a State Cards Project. As each state enters the union, create a card with fun facts about that state. Younger kids might enjoy a coloring/activity book about the states. Add Nebraska 1867
Image Credit: Mathew Benjamin Brady / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain