by Alan Haskvitz

Transportation is a great theme to develop applied learning and integrated lessons for all ages. Math, reading, history, art, geography, economics and science are all part of this theme.

I strongly suggest you find a variety of maps for students to examine prior to introducing this theme, and label your room north, south, east, and west to help orientate students if necessary.  Creating a mural of transportation history is a fun activity, and students can even bring in news articles to show current events in this area.

You can also incorporate civics into transportation lessons with studies of transportation’s impact on the environment both in the form of global warming and land use, as well as public transportation issues.  My students really get into transportation and write their elected representatives, expressing themselves on issues that concern them.

Start your transportation unit with the following resources:

Beginnings
Basic lesson plans
For primary level students
History of transportation
Links for advanced students

Beginnings

America on the Move 
Contains games, stories and an interactive section that traces transportation back to the 19th century

REC Geography 
Try the excellent geography resources here.

Remember the Wright Brothers’ Historic Flight
Excellent flight resources for all levels here

Travel Across America 
Interactive exhibition site

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Basic lesson plans

An Era of Innovation 
Innovation lessons related to transportation

From the Flintstones to the Jetsons 
Transportation through time unit -- lacks quality content, but has good ideas and a basic rubric.

Historic Maps in K-12 Classrooms
Integrated unit of study for middle and high school

Lesson Plans for Grade PK-5th 
Canal-based lessons

Teaching with Historic Places – Transportation 

Transportation History
Link site with good lesson possibilities

Transportation in the United States
Not much depth, but could be made valuable with more resources

Transportation Lessons for Teaching English Language and Vocabulary
For ESL Students

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For primary level students

Color Cars and More 
Coloring pages

Traffic & Transportation Themes 
You need to look a bit to find them.

Transportation 
Primary lesson using felt board

Transportation Activities 

Transportation Coloring Pages

Transportation Themes 

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History of transportation

Bicycle History 

Boat and Ship Types 

A Canal Chronology 

Covered Wagon 

Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Transportation History

First Flight Bicycles 

Has Transportation Changed Since the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition?
A very basic lesson with a couple of good ideas, you can change the Harriman topic for more relevant learning.

Historical Stagecoach 

History and Directory of Electric Cars 

History of Canals 

History of Commercial Vehicles 

History of Railroads and Maps

History of Ships and Boats 

History of the U.S. Highway System 

History of Transportation, General Resources 

How the Wheels Got Turning 

Inside a Pioneer Covered Wagon 

Links to Railroad History Resources in the United States 

Myths and Milestones in Bicycle Evolution

Roman Roads 

Travel and Trade in the Middle Ages 

Transportation History Videos 

Timeline of Railway History 

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Links for advanced students

Air Quality and Transportation

REC Auto Companies 
This list of most major automobile company websites is a great place to get photos and promotional material to decorate the classroom.

Trade and Transportation in the United States

Transportation Career Guide 

World’s Fastest Cars  
A great place to find data to motivate students and to integrate math