Lesson Description:

Before the time when we could hop on a plane for a few hours to get to the other side of the world or take a quick drive to the store, humans relied on animal-based transportation. In this lesson students will examine the history of animal-based transportation and discover why many cultures increasingly rely on machines for transportation. Students will contrast modern methods of transportation with those of the past to examine the pros and cons how transportation has developed in the modern world. Finally, students will design their own imaginary animal with characteristics that will meet the transportation needs for their own lives. They will compare their designs to modern mechanical transportation in order to understand.

Objectives:

After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
· Evaluate the positive and negative attributes of various transportation methods
· Consider the abilities of animals to be used for transportation
· Comprehend the issues people are confronted with when deciding on a feasible transportation method
· Create their own ideal form of transportation

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Lesson Type:

• Discussion
• Group Work
• Other

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Sustainability Topic:

• Climate Change
• Other

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GEF Program Category:

• I Ride Green

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Materials Needed:
This lesson addresses the following National Standards for History from The National Center for History in the Schools:

· Content Standard: NSS-USH.K-4.4 THE HISTORY OF PEOPLES OF MANY CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD
Understands selected attributes and historical developments of societies in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe
Understands major discoveries in science and technology, some of their social and economic effects, and the major scientists and inventors responsible for them

This lesson addresses the following National Geography Standards from The National Geographic Society:
· Content Standard: NSS-G.K-12.1 THE WORLD IN SPATIAL TERMS
As a result of their activities in grades K-12, all students should:
Understand how to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective.

This lesson addresses the following National Standards for Arts Education from the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations:
· Content Standard: NA-VA.K-4.3 CHOOSING AND EVALUATING A RANGE OF SUBJECT MATTER, SYMBOLS, AND IDEAS Achievement Standard:
Students select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning
· Content Standard: NA-VA.K-4.6 MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN VISUAL ARTS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES Achievement Standard:
Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum

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Lesson Documents:
Before we drove cars.pdf

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