THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

Aligned with National and State Standards

National Council for the Social Studies Standards

Economics Standards

Geography Standards

Iowa History Standards

US History Standards

Iowa Teaching Standards

National Educational Technology Standards

Information Literacy Standards

 

National Council for the Social Studies Standards

(Executive Summary)

      I.               Culture: Social Studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity.

    II.               Time, continuity and change: Social Studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ways human beings view themselves in and over time.

  III.               People, places, and Environments: Social Studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and environments.

  IV.               Individual Development and Identity: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of individual development and identity.

    V.               Individuals, Groups and Institutions: ...  for the study of interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions.

  VI.               Production, Distribution and Consumption: ... for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

VII.               Science, Technology, and Society:  ... for the study of relationships among science, technology and society.

VIII.               Global Connections:  for the study of global connections and interdependence.

 

Economics Standards

1. Understands that scarcity of productive resources requires choices that generate opportunity costs

6. Understands the roles government plays in the United States economy

       

Geography Standards

The World in Spatial Terms

1. Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies

2. Knows the location of places, geographic features, and patterns of the environment

3. Understands the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface

Places and Regions

4. Understands the physical and human characteristics of place

5. Understands the concept of regions

6. Understands that culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions

Human Systems

9. Understands the nature, distribution and migration of human populations on Earth's surface

10. Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics

11. Understands the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface

12. Understands the patterns of human settlement and their causes

13. Understands the forces of cooperation and conflict that shape the divisions of Earth's surface

Environment and Society

14. Understands how human actions modify the physical environment

15. Understands how physical systems affect human systems

16. Understands the changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution and importance of resources

17. Understands how geography is used to interpret the past

Uses of Geography

18. Understands global development and environmental issues

 

Iowa History Benchmarks

6. Transportation

        a. Transportation was very important for Iowa's early pioneers. Not only was it important for people coming to Iowa, but after arriving, people relied on transportation for their livelihoods.

        b. The major means of commercial transportation - steamboat, stagecoach, and railroad - developed significantly during the 19th century.

        c. Each of these means of transportation had positive and negative aspects, and each helped Iowa develop economically.

        d. The railroad was the most important form of transportation for 19th-century Iowa. It was faster and more dependable than any other form of transportation. It greatly assisted new settlers coming to the state and also aided in the development of new industry.

 

United States History Standards

Era 6 - The Development of the Industrial United States (1870-1900)

16.   Understands how the rise of corporations, heavy industry, and mechanized farming transformed American society

17.   Understands massive immigration after 1870 and how new social patterns, conflicts, and ideas of national unity developed amid growing cultural diversity

18.   Understands the rise of the American labor movement and how political issues reflected social and economic changes

19.   Understands federal Indian policy and United States foreign policy after the Civil War

 

Iowa Teaching Standards

1.DEMONSTRATES ABILITY TO ENHANCE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SUPPORT FOR AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GOALS. The teacher:

a. Provides evidence of student learning to students, families, and staff.

b. Implements strategies supporting student, building, and district goals

c. Uses student performance data as a guide for decision-making.

d. Accepts and demonstrates responsibility for creating a classroom culture that supports the learning of every student.

e. Creates an environment of mutual respect, rapport, and fairness.

f. Participates in and contributes to a school culture that focuses on improved student learning.

g. Communicates with students, families, colleagues, and communities effectively and accurately.

 

2. DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE IN CONTENT KNOWLEDGE APPROPRIATE TO THE TEACHING POSITION. The teacher:

a. Understands and uses key concepts, underlying themes, relationships, and different perspectives related to the content area.

b. Uses knowledge of student development to make learning experiences in the content area meaningful and accessible for every student.

c. Relates ideas and information within and across content areas.

d. Understands and uses instructional strategies that are appropriate to the content area.

 

3. DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE IN PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR INSTRUCTION. The teacher:

a. Uses student achievement data, local standards and the district curriculum in planning for instruction.

b. Sets and communicates high expectations for social, behavioral, and academic success of all students.

c. Uses student developmental needs, background, and interests in planning for instruction.

d. Selects strategies to engage all students in learning.

e. Uses available resources, including technologies, in the development and sequencing of instruction.

 

4. USES STRATEGIES TO DELIVER INSTRUCTION THAT MEETS THE MULTIPLE LEARNING NEEDS OF STUDENTS. The teacher:

a. Aligns classroom instruction with local standards and district curriculum.

b. Uses research-based instructional strategies that address the full range of cognitive levels.

c. Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness in adjusting instruction to meet student needs.

d. Engages students in varied experiences that meet diverse needs and promote social, emotional, and academic growth.

e. Connects students' prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests in the instructional process.

f. Uses available resources, including technologies, in the delivery of instruction.

 

5. USES A VARIETY OF METHODS TO MONITOR STUDENT LEARNING. The teacher:

a. Aligns classroom assessment with instruction.

b. Communicates assessment criteria and standards to all students and parents.

c. Understands and uses the results of multiple assessments to guide planning and instruction.

d. Guides students in goal setting and assessing their own learning.

e. Provides substantive, timely, and constructive feedback to students and parents.

f. Works with other staff and building and district leadership in analysis of student progress.

 

6. DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE IN CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT. The teacher:

a. Creates a learning community that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-regulation for every student.

b. Establishes, communicates, models and maintains standards of responsible student behavior.

c. Develops and implements classroom procedures and routines that support high expectations for learning.

d. Uses instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.

e. Creates a safe and purposeful learning environment.

 

7. ENGAGES IN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. The teacher:

a. Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.

b. Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and student learning.

c. Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.

 

8. FULFILLS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. The teacher:

d. Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and staff.

e. Collaborates with students, families, colleagues, and communities to enhance student learning.

 

Other Professional Standards:

National Educational Technology Standards

  1. Basic operations and concepts

  1. Social, ethical, and human issues

  2. Technology productivity tools

  3. Technology communications tools

  4. Technology research tools

  5. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

 

Information Literacy Standards

Information Literacy

Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.

Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.

Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.

Independent Learning

Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

Social Responsibility

Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

Standard 8: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.