Grades: 4-8
Length: 12/15 Minute
Rights: Annual Lease
Internet: http://www.ecb.org/tracks/index.htm

Video streaming option is available for this program at http://whro.unitedstreaming.com

Imagine literally tracing the path of this country's greatest historic events. Tracks relate the experiences of two young adults who investigate United States history as they travel by rail across the country. Tracing the country's biography through sites visited by train creates cohesion between the programs and reinforces the idea that students can experience history personally. (CC)

Block Feeds

Tuesday 3/18/08  2:00-4:00 a.m. #1-8
Wednesday 3/19/08  2:00-3:00 a.m. #9-12

1. Trekking Across Our Land, begins the series with a description of the early migration of people from Asia to North America and introduces Isadora and Duncan, two young people who meet on the train and end up spending their summer vacations learning about American history. H: 5.1

2. Spain Comes To America introduces some of the first European explorers in the Americas and describes their influences on colonization. Stops: Saint Augustine and an early Native American village. H: 5.2

3. Early European Settlements, describes the motivation and goals of early English settlers at Jamestown and their interactions with Native Americans. The early development of a slave economy in the South is explained. H: 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.3

4. Seeds Of Revolution. In Boston, Issy and Duncan learn about the diverse beliefs and independent thinking that laid the groundwork for the American Revolution as they meet an actor portraying the character of Paul Revere. H: 5.3

5. Independence! Issy discusses the state of the colonies with the character of Ben Franklin in Philadelphia and sees the conflict between Loyalists and those who desired a new nation dramatically depicted. H: 5.4

6. A New Nation, focuses on the creation of the Constitution and sketches the tree branches of the federal government as an actor who portrays Thomas Jefferson meets up with Issy and Duncan at Jefferson's home, Monticello and later in Washington D.C. H: 4.4, 5.5

7. Westward Ho! Studies the territorial expansion of European settlers and examines how westward movement of these pioneers affected the Native Americans. The Cumberland Gap is the site for this expedition.H:5.6

8. Divided And United, investigates the causes of the Civil War and its effects on the American people. Connecting events of the Civil War with the Civil Rights movement of the last half of the 20th century.H: 5.7

9. The Urbanization Of America. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the site to describe the waves of immigration that changed social patterns and labor relations in the late 19th century. H: 6.1

10. The Road To Mount Rushmore, explores the development of mining, ranching, agriculture, and the railroads , as the decline of buffalo herds and further armed conflict plagued relations between settlers and Native Americans. H: 6.1, 6.2

11. America At War, discusses America's reluctance to enter World War I and World War II, then explains why the U.S. eventually became engaged in conflict.H: 6.3

12. Changing Times And Modern Industries, examines the Cold War and the dangers and promises of the Atomic Age. H: 6.4, 6.5, 6.6