Creative Writing and the Railroad


Age:
4th grade and above

Objectives:

  • To develop writing skills.
  • To discover the history of the L&N railroad.

Preparation:

Students should visit First American Roads, Rails, and Rivers Online. Older students should do background research on life during a specific time period.

Instructions:

  • Have students portray a person associated with the L&N railroad such as a porter, engineer, cook, ticket salesman, or frequent traveler and develop a diary documenting their daily activities. Outside classroom research may be necessary to complete this assignment. Have students use their school library to increase their understanding of the character. Students should develop the person's sense of personality as it is associated with the railroad.
  • Divide students into groups of five to six and develop a history entitled the Railroad Times in Bowling Green and Warren County. Have each group investigate different aspects of the railroad including immigration to the area during this time, the building of the various depots, events surrounding the Civil War, employees of the railroad, existing neighborhoods, schools, and other related topics.


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December 3, 1999
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Created by Donna Parker
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