A Timeline History of the Transcontinental Railroad

From the Series Timeline Trackers: Westward Expansion

  • Interest Level: Grade 5 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 5

In the early nineteenth century, much of the land west of the Mississippi River was not yet part of the United States. Many people dreamed of settling this huge area, but the journey to get there was long and dangerous.

By the mid-1860s, a bold plan had taken shape: the country had decided to build a single railroad stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Spanning North America, it would be the first railway to cross a continent: the first transcontinental railroad.

Follow along with the difficult and dangerous work of building the transcontinental railroad. Track the events and turning points of this major construction project that contributed to the westward expansion of the United States, yet created hardships and conflicts along the way.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-4677-8643-0
$34.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 5 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 5
Genre Social Studies
Copyright 2016
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Lerner Publications ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2015-08-01
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF025200, JNF038100, JNF057050
Dewey 385.0978'09034
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 7 x 10
Lexile 800
Guided Reading Level W
ATOS Reading Level 5.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 177856
Accelerated Reader® Points 1.0
Features Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Index, Photo captions, Reviewed, Sidebars, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, Timeline, and eSource

Author: Alison Behnke

Born in Rochester, Minnesota, Alison Behnke had the good fortune to live in Rome, Italy, for three years while in grade school. Not only did this move expand her horizons enormously and introduce her to one of the world’s best and most beautiful cities, but it provided her with a wealth of writing material. Even before her Roman holiday, however, Alison knew that she wanted to be an author—a desire which, according to her parents, she first voiced around age six. Good teachers, avid reading, and a children’s librarian for a mother all fed the fire. Alison went on to take a degree in English with a focus on Creative Writing, and at present count she has written more than thirty books. Alison lives in Minneapolis, and when she’s neither reading nor writing, she spends her time on pursuits including photography, travel, and striving to make the perfect espresso.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Timeline Trackers: Westward Expansion

Investigate key topics in US history through easy-to-follow timelines of major events. Covering achievements as well as setbacks, the timeline approach allows readers to follow the trail of US history. Each title builds an understanding of how major historical developments emerged… View available downloads →

Reviews

School Library Journal, Series Made Simple

“This series pairs dramatic narrative with visually arresting time lines, resulting in a well-thought-out foray into the years of America’s westward expansion. . . . A good option for collections where supplementary material on the American West is needed.”—School Library Journal, Series Made Simple