Planes, Trains and Automobiles

People have come to Sacramento from all over the world. How did they get here? Did they fly, walk, or drive? Did they come by horseback, wagon, or train? For this activity you will use the People of Sacramento software to investigate various modes of transportation.

Activity One - Modes of Transportation

Consider the many forms of transportation that have been used and are used today. How many modes of transportation can you think of?

• Use the People of Sacramento software to search for four different modes of transportation that may have been used by twentieth century immigrants who have come to Sacramento. Consider the pros and cons of each type of Transportation. Record your findings below:

• Discuss your findings with a group of classmates. How many modes of transportation were identified by your class? What were they?

back to top

Activity Two - Using Transportation to Reach Sacramento

Keeping in mind the various modes of transportation identified in Activity One, think about the ways you think people have used transportation to immigrate to Sacramento.

• Use the People of Sacramento software to search for images of three different ethnic groups using some form of transportation to reach Sacramento. Record your findings below:

• Interview someone who recently came to Sacramento from another country. What mode(s) of transportation did they use to get here? Why did they choose those forms of transportation? Write a paragraph telling about the person's use of transportation for immigration.
• Based on the information you have gathered, write a paragraph explaining what you have learned about transportation.

Activity Three - Transportation Poster

Choose one form of transportation you have learned about in the previous activities. Use a variety of resources to learn about that form of transportation. How was it developed? How long has it been in use? Is it an efficient form of transportation? What are the pros and cons? How is it similar or different from other forms of transportation?

• Design a poster to teach the rest of the class about the form of transportation you have researached
• Present your information to the class.

View Teacher Notes

Lesson developed by Heidi Dettwiller, San Juan Unified School District