Activity Overview
Students will obtain basic background information on the need for a system of interstate highways, the benefits of the system to Americans, and the problems generated due to the building and operation of the highway system.
Before the Activity
See the attached Activity PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity.
Print the appropriate pages from the Activity for your class.
Install the LearningCheck(tm) App on the students' graphing calculators following the attached instructions.
Display a map of Florida and point out where the major interstate highways are located. They are I-10, I-75, I-95, and I-4. (A complete set of Florida roadmaps is available at no charge from the Florida Department of Transportation website: www.dot.state.fl.us. Your media center should have a map or atlas with this information available.)
During the Activity
Distribute the appropriate pages from the Activity to your class
Distribute the LearningCheck(tm) file(s) to your class using TI Connect(tm) and the appropriate TI Connectivity cable
Follow the procedures outlined in the Activity
Students will:
Explore the history of the Interstate Highway System.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Interstate Highway System, the numbering system of interstate road signs, and the major routes and cities connected by the interstate in Florida.
Analyze the economic, social, and environmental impact of the interstate on the United States, Florida, and individual communities.
Identify businesses that flourished and failed as a result of the interstate and predict business and residential growth patterns based on their proximity to interstate interchanges.
Evaluate and predict the far-reaching impact of growth in Florida and the Interstate Highway System's impact on individual communities.
After the Activity
Once the groups have finished their discussions and have answered the questions, lead a class discussion to review their answers. The students should use the information stored in their graphing calculators to contribute to this class discussion. At the end of the class discussion and review, administer the post test. The students should compare their pre- and post test results.