Chapter I: Planning

1. Print out class copies of the following:
• Chapter I: Planning
• Map of New York State
2. Primary source materials for Chapter I are available on the following pages. To obtain larger images suitable for classroom distribution, click on each of the thumbnails. Print out copies of the two gallery pages and/or the pages containing the larger images:
• Primary Source Materials for Boats
• Primary Source Materials for Aqueducts

Lesson

1. Read aloud in class Chapter I of Marco Paul's Travels on the Erie Canal.
2. Provide students with a map of New York. Have students trace the route and modes of transportation taken by Marco and Forester from New York City to Schenectady.
3. Design symbols to represent the different types of transportation.
4. Show students pictures of boats and aqueducts.
5. After classroom discussion, students answer the following questions in their journals.

Response Journal Questions

1. What are the two modes of acquiring knowledge that Forester talks about with Marco? Include an example of each.
2. Make a sketch showing one thing that Forester explained to Marco about the canal. Write a caption for your sketch.
3. Explain the difference between a packet boat and a line boat.
4. Why did Forester and Marco decide to take the train from Albany to Schenectady but then travel on the canal?

Overview  |  Teacher's Guide