Google Earth Virtual Tour Plan

Location	Activity	Google Earth Content
1. Omaha, Nebraska	Give each student a copy of a map from 1860. Have them draw railroad tracks following the path of the Transcontinental Railroad on their maps. Using colored pencils, have the students outline the territories and color in the desert, mountains, rivers, and other geographic features.	Have a link in which students can read a Wikipedia article about an overview of the Transcontinental Railroad. Then, have them measure the length of the Platte River.
2. Promontory, Utah	Using pictures and other visual aids, discuss the logistics of the train -- its appearance, what made it run (steam), the materials required to build it, the groups of people who built it, etc. Discuss how the train made it possible to ship materials quicker and easier, and how it made travel much safer for passengers.	Have the students measure the length of the distance from Omaha, Nebraska to Promontory, Utah.
3. Sacramento, California	Discuss how it took only 6 days to arrive at one's destination on the train from beginning to end, as opposed to the 6 months it took in a covered wagon. Have the students write a journal entry from the point of view of a person riding the Transcontinental Railroad for the first time. In the entry, have them describe which provisions they would take with them, in particular outlining how their supplies were adapted this time for a much shorter trip.	Have the students measure the length of distance between Promontory, Utah and Sacramento, California.
4. Washington, D.C.	Discuss the activities that occurred in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad ("The Star-Spangled Banner" playing, bells ringing, cannons going off, etc.). Have the students write a journal entry from the point of view of a spectator at such an exciting event, describing their emotions.	Have the students measure the distance of length that it would take someone in Omaha, Nebraska to travel to the celebration in Washington, D.C.
Details of image overlay / path / polygon:	Connect the three stops of the Transcontinental Railroad with the celebratory site in Washington, D.C. Teach about the enhancement of this form of travel.