A Visit to the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
C&O Canal NHP Headquarters
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740-6620
(301) 739-4200

Instructional Unit:
Water travel and transportation during the 1800's-- a visit to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
Social Studies

Objectives:
The students will:
1. Understand locks and how they work.
2. Understand why water travel was needed.
3. Be able to discuss family life aboard a canal boat.
4. Describe clothing from the 1870's.
5. Be able to tell the difference between a donkey and a mule.
6. Learn songs from the 1800s.

Pre-Visit Activities:
Study the workings of the lock system that was used for water travel during the 1800s. We will discuss the life along the canal during that time, specifically the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (see attached sheet). Finally, we will discuss the differences between a mule and a donkey.

On-Site Activities:
On the boat, the guides would be in charge. They will orally tell about the history of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal as well as family life aboard the boat. In the museum, students will have worksheets to fill out.

Follow-Up Activities:
Students will choose between:
1. Writing about transportation changes (compare and contrast).
2. Creating a diorama showing family life on a canal boat.
3. Constructing a time line of transportation.
4. Illustrating a lock and how it works.

Appendices:
A Visit to the Chesapeake

Bibliography:

Other Resources:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/10c&o/10c&o.htm - On-line lesson plan produced by National Park Service Educational Resources.

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