Participant Name(s): Rosanne Boyan

The Last Great Canal

Curriculum Project: Interpreting Maps

Unit/Lesson Title:  Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal

Intended Grade Level: 5-Social Studies Ch.14

Approximate length 2-3 45 minute periods

Applicable Illinois Learning Standards:

           Mathematics 6.B.2b, 6.C.2a, 6.C.2b, 7.A.2a, 7.A.2b, 7.B.2a, 7.B.2b, 7.C.2b

           Social Studies 10.C.2a, 15.B.2b, 16.C.2c, 17.A.2b, 17.C.2b, 17.D.2b  

Goals/Objectives:

Given a map of the I & M Canal, the student will-

§         read the key and interpret data illustrated through written or oral responses.

§         estimate the distance between given points (towns or locks) on the map.

§         use a ruler to measure the distance between given points on the map.

§         locate specific points and label according to the given key.

§         calculate a set of 8 story problems that relate to the I & M Canal.

 

Procedures:

1. To extend the information given in the Build Our Nation Chapter 14 text on transportation, that included the development of roadways, canals, and railroads.  Read excerpt from the picture book The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal by Cheryl Harness. (Students are generally familiar with roads and railroads, so extra emphasis should be placed on discussing canals.)  Determine what experiences the class has had with canals through discussion.

2. Recall the previous study of the explorers during the 1600’s, specifically, Joliet and Marquette. Read the quote from Marquette’s journal- “Someday a canal could be dug between the Illinois and Chicago Rivers so ships could pass all the way from the great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.”               Explain that the I & M Canal project accomplished just what Joliet had proposed- and that it happens to be right in our own backyard!

3. Turn to p.117 in text to review the exploration path of Joliet & Marquette.  Have students trace the area near Chicago where the explorers had to portage their canoes. Have one or two students trace Joliet’s path from the book using a plastic overhead sheet.

4.  Place an overhead copy of Map A (Illinois & Michigan Canal) and have the students who traced Joliet’s path on the sheet to place the tracing over the Map A overhead sheet. (The rivers and major cities should be aligned as well as possible.)  Discuss what they discover.  (The I & M Canal was built right over the area that Joliet & Marquette had to portage!)

5. Distribute a copy of the I & M Canal-Map A to each student.   Give them a few minutes to review Map A and discuss briefly. 

6. Distribute copies of the “Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal” activity sheet and have students complete individually, with a partner, or in small groups as appropriate for their cognitive abilities.

7. When completed, discuss responses orally to clarify and extend learning.

Materials (handouts, worksheets, equipment, etc.):

·        Gr. 5 Social Studies textbook:  Build Our Nation, Houghton Mifflin- 1997

·        The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal by Cheryl Harness

·        Map A – Illinois & Michigan Canal

·        Overhead projector & sheets

·        Activity Handout:  “Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal”

      (3 levels: A- easiest, B- moderate difficulty, C- geared toward average 5th grader)

 

Resources (traditional & electronic):

The Last Great American Canal:  How the Illinois & Michigan Canal United 19th Century        America workshop binder

Lewis University website for links applicable to workshop (www.lewisu.edu) 

 

Assessment(s):

1. Anecdotal notes of student observations during map skills activities and discussions.

2. Student completion of Activity Handout that is appropriate for their individual ability level              with 80% success.

  

 

 Student Name:____________________________________             Date:______________

Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal-A

[Social Studies & Mathematics Map Skill Applications]

 

1.  Use a green marker to circle the beginning and end of the I & M Canal on the Map.

 

2. Count the number of locks along the I & M Canal.  Write the number: ____________

 

3. Draw a canal boat with its captain.

 

 

 

 

4. It took canal boats about 26 hours to go through the whole I & M Canal.

      Is that more or less than a day?  Circle:    more        less

 

5. Canal boys got paid $.50 a day to work with the mules who pulled the boats along the

      canal.  What could you buy with that much money today?  ______________________________ 

 

6. Look at the path of the I & M Canal on the map.

      Is the canal   straight   or    crooked  ?  (Circle)

 

7. Use a blue marker to trace the rivers and creeks on the map.

 

8.  Chicago is in the county where the I & M Canal began.  Circle the name of that county:

            COOK CO.                 GRUNDY CO.               WILL CO.

 

Student Name:____________________________________                          Date:______________

Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal-B

[Social Studies & Mathematics Map Skill Applications]

1. Why did towns get settled along the I & M Canal? _____________________________________

     _____________________________________________________________________________

 

2. If a canal boat had to pay $1.00 to pass through each lock, how much did it cost to ship a load

    from LaSalle to Chicago?_______________

 

3. Canal boats were about 16 feet wide and 100 feet long.  Draw and name the shape of a canal boat.

 

 

 

4. It took canal boats about 26 hours to go through the whole I & M Canal.  Multiply to find out

        how many hours it would take to make the trip 5 times. ____________________________

 

5. Canal boys got paid $.50 a day to work with the mules that pulled the boats along the canal. 

       Multiply to figure out how much they would have after 7 days. _______________________

 

6. Look at the 96 mile long path of the I & M Canal on the map. What town is near the middle?

        _____________________________

 

7.  Find and list the rivers and creeks on the map that intersected or crossed the I & M Canal:

_________________________     ________________________      _______________________

________________________       ________________________

 

8. According to the map, the I & M Canal passed through how many counties? _________________

Student Name:____________________________________                          Date:______________

Finding Your Way Around the I & M Canal-C

[Social Studies & Mathematics Map Skill Applications]

1. Why did towns get settled along the I & M Canal? _____________________________________

     _____________________________________________________________________________

 

2. If each canal boat had to pay $1.00 to pass through each lock, how much did it cost to ship a            load from LaSalle to Joliet and back?________________________________

 

3.  Canal boats were about 16 feet wide (W), 100 feet long (L), and 4 feet deep (H). Use the   formula for volume (LxWxH= ) to calculate the volume of a canal boat._________________

 

4.  If it took about 26 hours for canal boats to go through the whole I & M Canal, about how    many days would it take them to make 5 trips? ____________________________

 

5. If canal boys got paid $.50 a day to work with the mules who pulled the boats along the        canal, estimate how much they would have after a month. __________________________

 

6. Study the 96 mile long path of the I & M Canal on the map.  If it was cut into thirds, name the            towns that are located at those dividing points. __________________  _________________

 

7. Use the scale on the map of the I & M Canal to estimate the miles between the aqueducts that had to be constructed over the DuPage River and the Fox River. _______________________________

 

8.  Study the map and list the counties through which the I & M Canal passed:

     _______________________________     _________________________________

     _______________________________     _________________________________