Grade Level: 8th
Overview: Using class discussion and a power point presentation (available in Power Point and pdf format), students will explore how the federal government balances the need to maintain an efficient Interstate Highway system with the need to protect the rights and properties of all citizens through a case study of the East End Bridge Project north of Louisville. Students will consider transportation needs and cultural resources of their own community and discuss the importance of civic participation. They will use analytical skills in analyzing primary resources (a historic photograph and two maps).

Optional follow-up activities allow students to apply the essential questions to their own community and include the opportunity to conduct short research projects, write opinion pieces, and/or report on a topic to present an opinion. The lesson is particularly timely during Black History Month or when road construction, improvement, or maintenance activities (such as snow removal) are taking place in your community. The lesson can be enhanced by inviting a presenter from the Kentucky Cabinet for Transportation’s Kentucky Engineering Exposure Network (K.E.E.N.) to make a presentation to your class. Please see attached description (KEEN Bridge Building Description).

Standards Addressed (detailed bullets in lesson plan):

• Kentucky Core Academic Standards – Big Ideas in Government and Civics
• Common Core in English Language Arts
• C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Council for the Social Studies

Essential Questions:

• What is the role of transportation in society?
• How can the Constitution be changed to meet the needs of citizens?
• How does the federal government meet its obligation to accomplish common goals and uphold the fundamental value of justice for all?

Contents:

• Transportation and Social Justice Lesson Plan
• Transportation and Social Justice Power Point
• Transportation and Social Justice Power Point in pdf Format
• Handouts
  For each student:
  • Transportation and Social Justice Word Bank (teacher version with definitions included)
  • Map Analysis NARA (National Archives and Records Administration)
  • Photo Analysis NARA (National Archives and Records Administration)
  • Transportation and Social Justice Word Match (teacher answer sheet included)
  • Writing Prompt
    Optional Follow-up Handouts
    • Transportation Needs in Our Community
    • Cultural Resources in Our Community

  Resources
  For a comprehensive analysis of the Harrods Creek community, see the African American Heritage Interpretive Plan for Jefferson Jacob School, Jacob School Road, James Taylor Subdivision & Harrods Creek Village at https://www.in.gov/indot/3696.htm

  Helpful websites for Optional Activity 1 are:

  • http://maps.kytc.ky.gov/bridgedataminer/ This site allows you to see the location and condition of all bridges in your county/city
  • http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/State-Primary-Road-System-Maps.aspx This site allows you to search for maps of state primary road systems by county, incorporated area, or district
  • http://maps.kytc.ky.gov/SYP/ This site allows you to view the current highway plan by city or county
  • http://maps.kytc.ky.gov/photolog/ Zoomable and searchable roadway photo log

  Helpful websites for Optional Activity 2 are:

  • http://www.kentuckytourism.com/things_to_do/history_heritage/historic_sites.aspx – searchable database of historic sites in Kentucky
  • http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/KY/state.html List of sites included in the National Register of Historic Sites in Kentucky, searchable by county
  • http://www.signsofhistory.com/kentucky/kentucky.htm This project lists Kentucky’s historical markers by county. The project also posts pictures of the markers as they are provided by participating schools, historical groups, and individuals.
  • http://www.ket.org/kentuckylife/topics/kentucky-historical-markers.html Videos from Kentucky Educational Television related to selected historical markers.
  • http://heritage.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/ACF24D83-59B1-4C83-AC25-80173291C4B8/0/RosenwaldSchoolsinKY.pdf On page 31 there is a list by county of schools constructed with funding from the Julius Rosenwald Fund for the education of African Americans from 1917-1932
  • http://heritage.ky.gov/kas/kyarchynew/Site+Profiles.htm Site profiles for selected archaeological sites from different time periods

  Also check with your local historical society and local tourism offices for materials.
  If you plan to use Optional Activities, contact your district KEEN coordinator from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. S/he can tell you if there are any current or planned highway projects in your community or any identified needs. You might also want to arrange a classroom visit. KEEN coordinators can discuss transportation planning and careers in transportation and provide a grade level appropriate, hands-on engineering activity.

Kentucky Highway Districts
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet divides the state into 12 highway districts to optimize building, accountability, & maintenance of the transportation systems within.

This lesson plan was developed as part of the African American Heritage Interpretive Plan for Jefferson Jacob School, Jacob School Road, James Taylor Subdivision & Harrods Creek Village Jefferson County, Kentucky