Overview of Lesson		Materials
Connection to the Curriculum,Standards and Skills		Body of Lesson - Procedure & Assessment
Grade Level		Activity One and Student Assessment
Purpose of Lesson		Activity Two and Student Assessment
Primary Geographic Question		Assessment of Lesson
Secondary Questions		References

Overview of the Lesson

Generations of Americans have utilized the resources of the Tennessee River, but it wasn't until the completion of TVA's basic navigation system that the river reached its full potential as a major transportation link

Geography Standards

Standard 15:  How physical systems affect human systems.

Alabama Course of Study:  Social Studies Content Standards (Grade 7)

Standard 3:     Illustrate graphically and analyze the distribution of major physical and human features on Earth's surface using different scales.

Standard 7:   Evaluate the impact of human activity on landscapes over time using maps, graphs, and satellite produced images.

Geographic Skills

Acquiring geographic information: analyze maps, charts, and graphs to determine patterns and networks of economic interdependence.and South America. To understand how events in one part of the world can affect other parts of the world.

Grade 7

To analyze maps, charts, and graphs in determining the most efficient method of transporting bulk products to markets.

In the age of modern transportation, such as interstate highways, air cargo, and elaborate railway systems, why is the Tennessee River still a major transportation artery?

What are the advantages of shipping large quantities of bulk products by water as opposed to rail?   To trucks?

How many gallons of fuel would be necessary to transport 3,000 tons of grain from Decatur, Alabama to Mobile, Alabama by barge?  By rail?  By truck?  How many barges would be needed?How many rail cars?  How many trucks?

• Chart Paper
• Markers
• Atlas
• Map of Tennessee River & Interconnected Inland Waterway Systems
• Environmental Advantage of Inland Barge Transportation (brochure)
• Cargo Capacity Comparison Chart
• Railway Map of Alabama
• Alabama Highway Map

Activity One

• Secondary Question # 1:  What are the advantages of shipping large quantities of bulk products by water as opposed to rail?
• Divide students into small groups.  Give each group chart paper, markers, a map of the Tennessee River & Interconnected Inland Waterway Systems, a Cargo Capacity Comparison chart, a railway map of Alabama, and a highway map of Alabama.
• Tell students to use the reference materials to make a list of advantages of transporting bulk goods by water, by rail, and by truck.  In determining advantages, the students should consider distance, access to national and international markets, possible weather restrictions, method of loading and unloading goods, the number of personnel needed for each method, etc.
• Each group should use their lists of advantages to make a chart which graphically compares the three methods of transporting goods.

Assessing Student Learning: Activity One

Have each group display their chart.  They should have at least four or five advantages for each form of transportation.  Students should be able to explain their work.

Activity Two

• Secondary Question # 2:  How many gallons of fuel would be necessary to transport 3,000 tons of grain from Decatur, Alabama to Mobile, Alabama by barge?  By rail?  By trucks?  How many barges will be needed?  How many rail cars?  How many trucks?
• Tell students the information they will need to complete this activity is found in their reference materials.  Remind students they will need to use the distance scale on each map to determine the distance between the two cities.

Assessing Student Learning: Activity Two

Did the students accurately calculate the amount of fuel needed for each method of transportation? Ask students to compare their statistics and make a generalization about them.

Assessment of Lesson

Ask students to write a paragraph in response to the primary question.

Cargo Capacity Comparison Chart, Iowa Department of Transportation.

"Environmental Advantages of Inland Barge Transportation", U.S. Department of Transportation.

Norfolk Southern Railway System Map.

Rand McNally Road Atlas

Tennessee River and Interconnected Inland Waterway Systems Map.