Transportation Lesson: Introduction
Lesson Plan
1 hour 10 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Science, Geography
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Elaine Makarevich
About this lesson
This lesson explores modes of transportation and the energy they use.
Inquire: Students view or read the storybook Bearly Over the Mountain to learn about different energy sources that power trains.
Investigate: Students generate a list of modes of transportation and make suppositions about what forms of energy each uses.
Inspire: Students create and answer transportation riddles to demonstrate their understanding of this introductory lesson.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Students are introduced to green energy use via this first lesson in the Transportation Unit, building the foundation for the lessons to follow.
- Students explore different types of transportation used globally and in their own local communities.
- Students have opportunities to create, write, and share transportation riddles.
- The Investigate and Inspire sections can be completed on different days or class periods.
- You can easily integrate this lesson into an existing lesson or unit focused on transportation.
- This lesson features excellent vocabulary development.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 4 in our K-2nd grade Transportation unit.
- Teachers will need to print the worksheets, if using, from the Student Document.
- Teachers should locate and be familiar with the book in the lesson.
Differentiation
- Students can share their “Wow” feelings after viewing the story.
- Based on the literacy development levels of students, the book can be read aloud, viewed as a video, or completed through partner reading.
- Students can view the following videos of different train engines to help understand different types of energy:
- As an optional extension activity, students can draw a picture or write a note about transportation choices to share with someone to illustrate what they have learned.
- Teachers can survey the school community to request guest speakers who work in transportation, energy, or similar fields.
- Optional activity: students can survey their families to collect data regarding the types of transportation family members use daily/weekly/monthly/annually.
- Teachers can use the Cut and Paste Modes of Transportation worksheet in the Student Document in place of the Transportation Riddles activity.
- Teachers can use the Flippity word-matching game to strengthen literacy skills.
From the scientist review
Determining the carbon footprint from transportation modes is important, and this lesson provides an elementary foundation for students to understand the carbon intensities of air, land, and water transportation modes. The riddle, classroom activity, images, and additional materials in the lesson were verified, and this lesson has passed our science review process.
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About the teacher writer
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Elaine Makarevich
Chief Outreach Officer
Elaine Makarevich, M.Ed., is SubjectToClimate's Chief Outreach Officer. She has over 30 years of experience teaching K–6 across all subjects and holds a B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.Ed. from East Stroudsburg University and Centenary University, along with Supervisor and Gifted Education certifications. Outside of work, she loves gardening — flowers, vegetables, and everything in between.
