Alice Ramsey's Cross Country Drive

Plan Your Way Across The U.S.A.

Objective: Students will plan their own trip across the country

Curriculum Area: Social Studies - Map Skills, Critical Thinking

Materials: Paper and pencil, USA road map

Ask several children to describe how they get to school. Point out to the children that though all the students end up at the school, they take a variety of routes to get there. Discuss Mead and Mello's route. Do the children see any inherent problems?

(The route goes across the northern part of the country which could produce certain weather conditions. Also, they will have to cross mountains.)

Challenge students to use their maps to plan an alternate route for Mead and Mello. You may want to place some restrictions on their choices such as it must be along major highways or it must pass through the same number of states as the original. Can they plan a shorter trip? A longer trip? What would they like to see if they were to drive across country?

Your local AAA probably has someone who will visit your school to do a map reading lesson. Contact them and see if they will provide some additional materials such as brochures for the students to look at in planning their trips. Travel agencies are another good resource for brochures that might give your students some ideas.

There are a million different ways to go with this lesson. All of them will increase the students' knowledge of United States geography. If the task seems too daunting for students, suggest mapping a trip across your state or even across your county or town. This will give the students practice at reading road maps and tracing routes. It's also a great way for students to become familiar with their own "backyard."

Geography Word Search

Curriculum Area: Social Studies

Materials: The word scrambles provided

Explain that the places listed in these word scrambles are all places through which Tara Baukus Mello and Sue Mead traveled through as they drove across the United States. There are names of cities, towns, and some states themselves. The object is to find as many of them as you can. Remember, words are written left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, diagonally left to right, and diagonally right to left. Occasionally a letter is contained in two words. Good luck!

States Word Search

California

Iowa

New York

Utah

Illinois

Nebraska

Ohio

Wyoming

Indiana

Nevada

Pennsylvania

Who Is That? What Does It Do?

1. Students will research various topics relevant to this recreated journey, automobiles,

transportation, and women pioneers in the field.

2. Students will create a brief description of information and one visual about their topic.

Materials: research materials to find background information about topics (see bibliography),

drawing paper or 4x6" index card to create visual of topic, list of topics (provided), markers,

crayons or colored pencils, writing paper or 4x6" index card

Tara and Sue recreated a journey, which originally took place 90 years ago. So much has changed since then and this activity is an opportunity for students to research various topics so they may further understand the background of this recreated journey, the development of the automobile, influence of technology on automobiles and transportation, and the women who have pioneered in this field, and continue to do so today!

Teacher is to use the list of provided topics for students to choose for their research. A brief background of information about the pioneers in transportation are provided if you do not have access to these resources. An alternative to using the provided list is for students to brainstorm a list of topics based upon their knowledge of these topics. After the students have determined their topic, it is up to the teacher to decide how much time children are to spend on the project and what the

product should be. There are many choices. If you do not have a tremendous amount of time to dedicate to the research, but wish for the students to have some background, you may want them to only write their information on an index card. A card about 4x6" works best. Students may also use this size card to produce a visual of their pioneer, automobile or technology.

If you have more time to dedicate to this activity you may wish to word process or create a larger visual.

Read the topics listed below and choose one that interests you.

Plotting Along The Beautiful American Highway

1. Students will be able to use their map skills of longitude and latitude to locate the cities where Mead and Mello traveled.

2. Students will locate the cities Mead and Mello traveled through and plot them on a map.

3. Students will use mileage data to determine the longest and shortest distances of the trip.

4. Students will use creative writing to create a travel log and their own travel itinerary.

Materials: student desk map of the United States (activity #1/#2), classroom map of the

United States (activity #1/#2), small pin with 'flag' attached (activity #1), list of longitude and

latitude coordinates (student worksheet), list of trip's cities and states (answer key), markers

or other marking tool (activity #1), writing paper or journal (activity #2)

Mead and Mello traveled throughout various states and cities during their adventure across the United States. This activity will provide students the opportunity to locate those destinations through the use of longitude and latitude coordinates or simply plotting them on a map. It is up to the teacher's discretion at which level of activity the students will participate. After the cities and states have been located on a map, the teacher also has the opportunity to use the list of mileage data to determine the distance of each part of the journey.

Using the longitude and latitude coordinates, provide students with a desk map so each child can plot the location of each city and state. Once the student has marked the cities, the student should use a ruler to connect each city to show the journey of Mead and Mello across the country. If an individual desk map is not available, it would be useful to perform this activity cooperatively as a class activity. Students can work in pairs to locate a particular city. Once they have found the city, they can write the name of the city and state on the flag. (It is simple to make one with a piece of masking tape and attach it to a map pin) The students can then put the pin on the map, locating their particular city and state.

Instructions:

Use the longitude and latitude coordinates to locate and name the major cities and towns which Sue Mead and Tara Mello traveled through on their journey. Once you have located each city and state, plot them in order on your desk map or classroom map. Remember each plot is the approximate longitude and latitude coordinates.

Once the students have located each city in which Mead and Mello will be traveling through, it would be a wonderful problem solving experience to determine which distances will take the longest and which will be shorter. Students can then create a travel log and plan their own trip. After determining the distance between each city, students can then create their

own itinerary. Which cities will they travel to in one day? Where will they stop to eat or sleep or even visit a landmark of their interest? Students will then write in their travel log describing these cities and will explain why they made the decision to stop at some places and drive through others. It can lead to an interesting creative writing activity!

New York City, New York to Albany, New York is ___________ miles.

Albany, New York to Syracuse, New York is ___________ miles.

Syracuse, New York to Buffalo, New York is ___________ miles.

Buffalo, New York to Erie, Pennsylvania is ___________ miles.

Erie, Pennsylvania to Ashtabula, Ohio is ___________ miles.

Ashtabula, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio is ___________ miles.

Cleveland, Ohio to Toledo, Ohio is ___________ miles.

Toledo, Ohio to Lagrange, Indiana is ___________ miles.

Lagrange, Indiana to South Bend, Indiana is ___________ miles.

South Bend, Indiana to Gary, Indiana is ___________ miles.

Gary, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois is ___________ miles.

Chicago, Illinois to Moline, Illinois is ___________ miles.

Moline, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa is ___________ miles.

Davenport, Iowa to Iowa City, Iowa is ___________ miles.

Iowa City, Iowa to Des Moines, Iowa is ___________ miles.

Des Moines, Iowa to Webster City, Iowa is ___________ miles.

Webster City, Iowa to Sioux City, Iowa is ___________ miles.

Sioux City, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska is ___________ miles.

Omaha, Nebraska to Grand Island, Nebraska is ___________ miles.

Grand Island, Nebraska to Ogallala, Nebraska is ___________ miles.

Ogallala, Nebraska to Kimball, Nebraska is ___________ miles.

Kimball, Nebraska to Cheyenne, Wyoming is ___________ miles.

Cheyenne, Wyoming to Laramie, Wyoming is ___________ miles.

Laramie, Wyoming to Rawlins, Wyoming is ___________ miles.

Rawlins, Wyoming to Rock Springs, Wyoming is ___________ miles.

Rock Springs, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah is ___________ miles.

Salt Lake City, Utah to Eureka, Nevada is ___________ miles.

Eureka, Nevada to Fallon, Nevada is ___________ miles.

Fallon, Nevada to Reno, Nevada is ___________ miles.

Reno, Nevada to Carson City, Nevada is ___________ miles.

Carson City, Nevada to Sacramento, California is ___________ miles.

Sacramento, California to Oakland, California is ___________ miles.

Oakland, California to San Francisco, California is ___________ miles.

New York City, New York to Albany, New York is 153 miles.

Albany, New York to Syracuse, New York is 146 miles.

Syracuse, New York to Buffalo, New York is 150 miles.

Buffalo, New York to Erie, Pennsylvania is 92 miles.

Erie, Pennsylvania to Ashtabula, Ohio is 45 miles.

Ashtabula, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio is 57 miles.

Cleveland, Ohio to Toledo, Ohio is 116 miles.

Toledo, Ohio to Lagrange, Indiana is 116 miles.

Lagrange, Indiana to South Bend, Indiana is 54 miles.

South Bend, Indiana to Gary, Indiana is 65 miles.

Gary, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois is 27 miles.

Chicago, Illinois to Moline, Illinois is 170 miles.

Moline, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa is 5 miles.

Davenport, Iowa to Iowa City, Iowa is 58 miles.

Iowa City, Iowa to Des Moines, Iowa is 112 miles.

Des Moines, Iowa to Webster City, Iowa is 75 miles.

Webster City, Iowa to Sioux City, Iowa is 139 miles.

Sioux City, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska is 96 miles.

Omaha, Nebraska to Grand Island, Nebraska is 152 miles.

Grand Island, Nebraska to Ogallala, Nebraska is 142 miles.

Ogallala, Nebraska to Kimball, Nebraska is 51 miles.

Kimball, Nebraska to Cheyenne, Wyoming is 106 miles.

Cheyenne, Wyoming to Laramie, Wyoming is 63 miles.

Laramie, Wyoming to Rawlins, Wyoming is 50 miles.

Rawlins, Wyoming to Rock Springs, Wyoming is 100 miles.

Rock Springs, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, Utah is 45 miles.

Salt Lake City, Utah to Eureka, Nevada is 77 miles.

Eureka, Nevada to Fallon, Nevada is 179 miles.

Fallon, Nevada to Reno, Nevada is 63 miles.

Reno, Nevada to Carson City, Nevada is 29 miles.

Carson City, Nevada to Sacramento, California is 128 miles.

Sacramento, California to Oakland, California is 80 miles.

Oakland, California to San Francisco, California is 13 miles.

Through The Years

1. Students will research various cars from over the last 100 years

2. Students will create a visual timeline of a car from every decade through century.

3. Students will find the similarities between these cars and understand how cars have improved throughout the century.

Materials: research materials to find the examples of cars from throughout the century (see bibliography), drawing paper to create timeline, markers, crayons or colored pencils

The car which Mead and Mello are took their cross country trip in was the most technologically-advanced car of its day. This is also true of Alice Ramsey, she also drove across the country in the top car of her time! This activity will help students

understand the evolution of the automobile. Through researching and gathering materials about 10 cars which interest students from the 20th century, the children will have a greater understanding of the development of technology and its influence upon current cars of our time.

Students are to begin gathering materials about various types of cars from the last 100 years. It would be helpful to limit the choice to one car from each decade. This will also help students create the intervals on their time line. On the time line students may include the dates their choice each car was created, when these cars hit their 'prime' or were the most popular, or even base their choices upon the inventions which improved certain vehicles each decade!

Follow-up Activity:

Students may write a comparison of two cars that particularly interest them. See the lesson Have Cars Really Changed That Much?

Riding With Alice

Created by Melissa Martin, Geography Educators' Network of Indiana

Purpose:

          To help the students develop a better understanding of cross country travel of today and yesterday.

National Geography Standards: 

          1, 4, 9, 12, 15, 17, 18

Indiana Social Studies Standards:

4.1.13           5.3.2

4.3.2            5.3.3

4.3.4            5.3.11

4.3.8            5.4.3

4.3.10

Materials:

          Alice Ramsey’s Grand Adventure by Don Brown ISBN:  0-618-07316-7

          Coast to Coast with Alice by Patricia Rusch Hyatt  ISBN:  0-87614-789-9

 

Indiana Atlas

          Outline map of United States with borders    

 

Outline map of state with counties

          Colored pencils

          Pencils

          Toll charges sheet

          Indiana Toll Road Map Transparency

          Calculators (optional)

Objectives:

          Students should:

1.      have background knowledge of the counties of the state.

2.      be able to follow directions.

3.      have background knowledge of the United States

4.      be able to read a road map.

5.      have a better understanding of cross country travel.

Procedure:

1.      Read Alice Ramsey’s Grand Adventure to the class.

2.      Discuss cross country travel.  (See Guided Discussion Questions below)

3.      Give each student an outline map of the United States

4.      Instruct them to color the states in which Alice passed through during her trip

5.      Have the students label each state.

6.      Tell the class, “We are now going to focus on her trip through Indiana .”

7.      Distribute the Indiana atlases and state outline maps.

8.      Instruct the students to use the county map and the roadways map. (Page 2 and 17)

9.      Have them color the counties Alice and her friends traveled through on their journey west. The students may choose the color or colors they wish to use.

10.  Label each county.

11.  When the maps are colored, have the students draw in the Toll Road .

12.   Now that we know Alice ’s route across Indiana , how much would it cost her today to travel the same route. Using the Toll charges, calculate the total cost to travel from border to border.  ($4.15)

13.  Calculate various tolls.  Option: use tolls for multi-axle vehicles.

Eva luation:

          Students knowledge should be evaluated by their completed maps and participation in class discussion.

Extensions:

1.      Add towns and cities located along the toll road.

2.      Figure tolls for other states. (ie: Ohio Turnpike, New York Thruway, etc.)

3.      Using Alice ’s route and a current road atlas, find the interstates/toll roads she would use today on her trip.

4.      Calculate mileage in each state using the website… http://www.indo.com/distance

5.       Have students design their own trip and route.

6.      “Collect” items or buy souvenirs from each state Alice passes through.

7.       Do in depth looks at each of the 11 states.

8.       Tie in with the Madonna of the Trail.

9.       List points of interest and other road side attractions (e: largest ball of twine)

10.  Calculate time travel using different modes of transportation…driving, flying, walking.

11.  Compare and contrast the different states… which would be “difficult” to travel and which would be  “boring”?

Helpful Websites:

Measures distance from any two points

          http://www.indo.com/distance

 

Coast to Coast: Past to Future (excellent)

          http://www.aliceramsey.com/

 

Trip planner

          http://www.freetrip.com/

          http://www.mapquest.com/

 

Eyewitness to History.com

          http://www.ibiscom.com/auto.htm

 

Indiana toll road map

          http://www.in.gov/dot/motoristinfo/pdfs/tollroadmap.pdf

 

Indiana toll road fare schedule

          http://www.in.gov/dot/motoristinfo/tollroad/schedules.html

 

New York Thruway

          http://www.thruway.state.ny.us/

 

Ohio Turnpike

          http://www.ohioturnpike.org/tp_map.html

 

Interstate 80

          http://www.ihoz.com/I80.html

 

Guided Discussion Questions: Alice's Grand Adventure