DIY Homeschooler

Most youngsters love trains!  We can use this interest to engage them in learning while developing their reading, writing, and researching skills.  This free trains unit study from Jennifer Steward (Steward Ship Unit Studies) is a great start!

“TRAINS: Iron Workhorses in the Age of Steam” begins with the history of trains and the contribution of significant events to the railroad industry, such as the invention of the steam engine, the cattle drives to Abilene, and the California Gold Rush.

With this background we delve into the following areas of interest:

• Creating a biographical sketch of James Watt, inventor of the steam engine.
• Creating a timeline of significant railroad events.
• Understanding the different occupations on a train.
• Understanding the function of the various railway cars.
• Researching train disasters, problems, and solutions.
• Researching The Transcontinental Railroad and its contribution to the movement West.
• Calculating distances and understanding horsepower.
• Diagramming a steam engine and explaining how it works.
• Creating a train model.
• Drawing a train.

You’ll also find recommended resources, literature, and picture books.

Many of the projects are very open-ended.  Some like this, others find it daunting.  We’ve provided a few resources to help you out in either case.

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Further Information

Biography of James Watt
Includes timeline of his life.

Railroad Timeline History
Major events in railroad history.

Student Safety Guide
Railway safety information.

What is Horsepower?
Explanation and formula.

Activities

Amtrak Activity Book (archived)
Free download for youngsters to familiarize them with the trains and the people on them. Helpful info!

Toy Train
Create a paper train model.

How to Draw a Train
Jan Brett video!

Books

Trains at Work {Free eBook}
Great go-along in the public domain.

Trains and Tracks
34-page eBook download on railway safety aimed at younger children.

Unit Studies

The Transcontinental Railroad: A Unit Study
Our own unit with loads of historical information, interactive activities and maps, coloring pages, great books, lapbooks, and notebooking pages.

The Steam Locomotive: A Unit Study
Our own unit with information on how a steam engine works, along with biographies, animations, tours, recommended reading, and notebooking pages.

Notebooking Pages & Printables

Coloring Book Pages
Dealing with railroad safety.