ILLINOIS EXPLORERS

Making Maps

I can construct and interpret maps of Illinois

and the United States using various media.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Student Reproducible

Student Reproducible

ON THE MOVE

TRACK YOUR TRIP

Student Name:

ISAT Test Prep Skill: Physical Science

Language Arts Skills

Student Reproducible

Contest Reproducible

Student Name:

AMERICAN JOURNEYS
ESSAY CONTEST
Essay Contest
Topic:
Imagine you are a train
conductor who travels to
stations across the United States.
Include details about where your
day begins and ends, who you
meet on the train, what your
responsibilities are, and other
details about your travels.

OUTLINE A TRAVEL NARRATIVE

ISAT Test Prep Skill: Physical Science

Student Name:

Follow the train routes on your classroom map to answer the questions below.

Using your knowledge about energy and motion, answer the questions below. (You may
want to check your work by researching your answers online.)

Imagine you are a train conductor who travels to stations across the United States. Include details about
where your day begins and ends, who you meet on the train, what your responsibilities are, and other
details about your travels.

Traveling from Antioch to Carbonale you

will pass through three cities that have a
population greater than 50,000. Which three
cities are they?
a) Kankakee, Waukegan, and Centralia
b) Waukegan, Chicago, and Effingham
c) Rantoul, Mattoon, and Chicago
d) Champaign-Urbana, Waukegan,
and Chicago

On the same route described in question 4,

what landmark will you pass?
a) Cahokia Mounds
b) Lovejoy Homestead
c) St. Louis Arch
d) Himalayan Mountains

The State House train takes passengers daily

to and from Chicago and St. Louis, MO.
Which major river does this train cross?
a) Salt Fork River
b) Mississippi River
c) Ohio River
d) Hudson River
Look out the windows as you travel on the
train from Chicago to Carbondale. Which of
the following will you probably not see?
a) corn
b) wheat
c) cattle
d) cactus

5
6

If you were traveling by train from Chicago

to New Orleans, LA, approximately how
many miles would you travel?
a) 200
b) 2,000
c) 1,000
d) 60

Photo courtesy of Amtrak

Bonus!
Choose one icon from the map of Illinois to
research. Write five interesting facts that you learn
and use the scale to calculate how many miles it is
from your hometown city. (Tip: If your city is not on
the map, choose the city that is closest to your
home and/or your school.)

Trains need an incredible amount of power to

carry passengers safely from place to place.
If the generator inside a diesel engine
generates up to 4,700 amps of current, this
is an example of:
a) electrical energy
b) nuclear energy
c) chemical energy
d) solar energy
Trains have steel wheels to reduce friction,
which slows the speed of a train. Friction
creates:
a) ice
b) heat
c) magnetism
d) water
A passenger train with five cars can use 1.5
gallons of fuel per mile. If the train travels at a
constant speed, what would happen if more
passenger cars were added?
a) More fuel would be required.
b) Less fuel would be required.
c) There would be no change in the
amount of fuel used.
d) The train would travel at a slower speed.

4
TOP SPEED (mph)

The Chain of Lakes region is located

of Chicago.
a) Northeast
b) Southwest
c) Northwest
d) Southeast

ith so many places to see, its time to travel! Before you journey to new places,
dazzle your friends with your knowledge about the science of trains.

Michael Dwyer/AP Wide World

he United States has many interesting places and unique sites to explore. Between
the mountains, winding rivers, deep oceans, and open fields, youll have lots to see
when you travel.

narrative is a way for you to tell a story that includes characters, setting, and plot.
Using the lines below, outline a short fictional narrative about the following topic:

Graph the following data in the table:

Title of story:
Train
State House
Illini
Illinois Zephyr

Top Speed
90 mph
70 mph
55 mph

Distance Traveled
500 miles
1,000 miles
1,400 miles

90

Main Character

Setting

Plot: First Main Event

(central person in the story)

(where and when the story takes place)

(order of events)

Example: Train conductor: He played

with model trains as a child and pursued
his dream to be a train conductor.

Example: The engineers cab as it

pulls out of the station in the
morning.

Example: A passenger knocks on the

door of the engineers cab asking to
talk to the conductor.

80
70
60

Secondary Characters

Secondary Setting

Second Main Event

50

500
1000
1500
2000
DISTANCE TRAVELED (miles)

If time equals distance traveled divided by

speed, how long is a one-way trip on the State
House train when traveling at a constant rate?
a) 6.6 hours
b) 5.6 hours
c) 8.6 hours
d) 7.6 hours

Bonus!
Find out more about how locomotives work!
Research one of the following topics and present a
short description of what you have learned: traction;
steel wheels; power, fuel, and batteries; braking; or driving.

Now that you have completed your outline above, draft an opening line.
Story opener: Draft an initial story sentence that captures the attention of your
audience. Begin to establish the setting and identify the main character.

Bonus!
Use these tips to self-edit
your essay:

Predict how your story may end by writing a closing line. The closer may change
as you develop your story.
Story closer: Draft a closing sentence that summarizes your story. This sentence
can be open-ended, leaving the audience guessing about what happens next, or
close-ended, providing a short summary of the overall story.

Tell the story from a

specific point of view
Clarify the main idea of
the essay
Use vivid language
Include storytelling
elements such as dialogue,
conflict, plot, and climax

SCHOLASTIC and all associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. 0-439-75397-X
Copyright 2005 National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). Amtrak and all associated logos are the registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

Map Skills

Use action verbs and descriptive

adjectives that will excite the
reader.

What to do:

WRITE: Compose a one-page essay (200250 words)

based on the essay topic at left.

ENTER: Complete the entry form below, have your

parent or guardian sign it, and submit it to
your teacher along with your essay.

PRIZES: Four Grand Prize winners and

four runners-up will be selected!

Judging Criteria
Creativity
Clear content
Logical thought process
Proper use of language

Entries must be postmarked by 3/14/05.

American Journeys Essay Contest Form

Complete the entry form and mail it with your essay to: American Journeys
Essay Contest, Scholastic, P.O. Box 713, New York, NY 10013-0711

Student Name:
Home Address:
City:
School Name:
Teacher Name:
School Phone:
Parent/Guardian Signature:

State:

Zip:

Home Phone:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. All students who are U.S. residents currently enrolled in grade 4 are eligible to enter, except the children of Amtrak and
Scholastic Inc. employees. Entries will be accepted between 1/10/05 and 3/21/05. To enter, write a fictional narrative story (200250 words) based on the
following scenario: Imagine you are a train conductor who travels to stations across the United States. Include details about where your day begins and
ends, who you meet on the train, what your responsibilities are, and other details about your travels. Use action verbs and descriptive adjectives that will
excite the reader. Mail entries to: American Journeys Essay Contest, Scholastic, P.O. Box 713, New York, NY 10013-0711. Each entry must be written legibly
in ink, typed, or printed out on a word processor on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The essay must accompany a completed entry form that has been
signed by a parent or guardian. Entrants may enter the contest by sending an essay with an entry form obtained by their teacher or parent/guardian. All
entries must be postmarked by 3/14/05 and received by 3/21/05. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Winners will be judged
based on creativity, clear content, logical thought process, and proper use of language. By entering the contest, you consent to Amtrak and Scholastics use
of your name and image for promotional purposes, including online announcements, without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. Four
(4) Grand Prize winners will receive a family train coach rail round-trip for four to any Amtrak destination in the United States (two adults and two children)
(ARV: $1,560); a fun pack of Scholastic interactive travel games (ARV: $50); fun travel guidebooks or educational CD-ROMs (ARV: $25). Total retail value of
Grand Prize is $1,635. Four (4) runner-up winners will receive a family train coach rail round-trip for four from any point of origin within Illinois to any
Amtrak destination in Illinois (two adults and two children) (ARV: $456) and an interactive Klutz activity book (ARV: $25). Total retail value of runner-up
prize is $481. The first one hundred (100) students who send in their entries will receive a fun travel game (ARV: $25.99). Teacher prizes: Each Grand Prize
winners teacher will receive a train coach rail round-trip for two to any Amtrak destination in the United States (ARV: $1,040) and a set of books for a
classroom library (ARV: $50). Total retail value of teacher Grand Prize is $1,090. Each runner-up winners teacher will receive a Scholastic gift certificate
(ARV: $50) and a set of books for a classroom library (ARV: $25). Total retail value of teacher runner-up prize is $75. Any and all taxes (federal, state, and
local), where applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winners. No prize substitutions, cash substitutions, or assignment or transfers, of prizes is permitted,
except by Scholastic Inc. or Amtrak for reasons of unavailability, in which event a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. All prizes will be awarded.
Only one prize per household. Winners will be notified on or about 5/16/05. For complete rules, please send a SASE to Rules: American Journeys Essay
Contest, Scholastic, P.O. Box 713, New York, NY 10013-0711. Void where prohibited by law. SPONSOR: Amtrak, 525 West Van Buren, Chicago, IL 60607.

Students
May Win:
Family train trip
Fun pack of
travel games
Travel guidebooks

Teachers
May Win:
Train trip for two
Books for classroom
library

The first 100 students

who send in their
entries will receive a
fun travel game!

Generously sponsored by

of

Antioch

Rockford

Waukegan

ha

igan

Freeport

in

Galena

Mich

La

ke

ke

La

Glenview

Elgin
DeKalb

Naperville
Aurora

Dixon

Sears
Tower

Plano

Mendota
Moline
Rock Island

Chicago

Homewood

Joliet

Lovejoy
Homestead
Princeton
Kewanee

Peru
Dwight

Kankakee

Streator

Galesburg

O W A

N A

Pontiac

Peoria

Macomb

Bloomington-Normal

Lincoln

Champaign-Urbana

Beardstown

Decatur

Quincy
Springfield

Jacksonville
HOW MANY ARE WE?
Population
Persons under 5 years old
Persons under 18 years old
Persons 65 years old and over

Illinois
12,419,293
7.1%
26.1%
12.1%

USA
281,421,906
6.8%
25.7%
12.4%

WHO ARE WE?

White persons (a)
Black or African-American persons (a)
American Indian and Alaska Native persons (a)
Asian persons (a)
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (a)
Persons reporting some other race (a)
Persons reporting two or more races
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin (b)
White persons, not of Hispanic/Latino origin

Illinois
73.5%
15.1%
0.2%
3.4%
(z)%
5.8%
1.9%
12.3%
67.8%

USA
75.1%
12.3%
0.9%
3.6%
0.1%
5.5%
2.4%
12.5%
69.1%

Male
Female

Illinois
Number
Percent
6,080,336
49.0%
6,338,957
51.0%

WHERE DO WE LIVE?
Land area (square miles)
Persons per square mile

Illinois
55,584
223.4

Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library
and Museum
Mattoon
Litchfield

Carlinville

Effingham

USA
3,537,438
79.6

Alton

(a) Includes persons reporting only one race.

(b) Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories.
(z) Value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau State and County QuickFacts. All statistics from 2000.

Granite
City

St. Louis Arch

St. Louis

East
St. Louis
Belleville

Cahokia
Mounds

Centralia

AK

Mount Vernon

HI
Anchorage
Honolulu
Juneau

C A

N A

T A T

West Frankfort

D A

Seattle
Olympia WA

ME

Minot

Spokane

Portland

Helena

ND

MT

Salem

Augusta
Montpellier

MN

VT
NH

Bismark

OR

NY
Boise

SD

ID

WI

Minneapolis/St. Paul

MI

Pierre

WY

Madison
Des Moines

Salt Lake City

Columbus

OH

Lincoln

NV
UT

CO

KS

CA

Springfield IN

MO

Topeka
Jefferson City

Los Angeles

AZ

AR

Columbia

Little Rock

El Paso

Jackson

Dallas

LA

TX

Austin

State Capital
State Boundary

San Antonio

Train Route
0

50

100

150

m i l e s

200

Population between 50,000 and 150,000

Population greater than 150,000
Jacksonville

Mobile

State Boundary

Tallahassee

Train Route

New Orleans
Orlando

Houston
Tampa

FL

25

Miami

m i l e s

Generously sponsored by

Copyright 2005 National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). Amtrak and all associated logos are the
registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

Fares, schedules, and routes subject to change without notice.

Population less than 50,000

GA

250

State Capital

Montgomery

Baton Rouge

SC

Shawnee
National
Forest

Atlanta

AL

MS
Fort Worth

Tucson

Raleigh

NC

Memphis

NM

Phoenix

San Diego

OK
Albuquerque

Richmond

TN

Oklahoma City

Santa Fe

Annapolis

VA

Nashville
Flagstaff

MA
Providence
CT RI

DE

Washington D.C.

WV

KY

Las Vegas

Harrisburg

Concord
Boston

New York City

Charleston
Frankfort

St. Louis

Marion

Philadelphia NJ
Trenton
Harrisburg
Baltimore
Pittsburgh
MD Dover

Indianapolis
Cincinnati

IL

Kansas City

Denver

Hartford

PA

Cleveland

IA

NE

Cheyenne

Carson City
Sacramento
San Francisco

Albany

Buffalo

Lansing
Milwaukee
Detroit

Chicago

Carbondale

50

Rantoul

Illinois Map

Mystery

Abe Lincolns famous top hat has been stolen from the Lincoln
Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The police have hired you, a Junior
Private Detective, to follow the clues and figure out the culprit
whereabouts. After you find the answer to the clue, write it out with
one letter on each line. When you finish, the circled letters will reveal
where the criminal is hiding.

Clue #1: The criminal escaped Springfield with the stolen hat
and headed southeast on Hwy 29 until he stopped at
T __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .
Clue #2: From this location, the criminal drove northeast on
Hwy 48 until he reached the town of
D __ __ __ __ __ __
Clue #3: From there, he drove north on Hwy 51 until he
reached the town of
N __ __ __ __ __
Clue #4: Next, he drove northwest on Hwy 74 and stopped in
the town of
P __ __ __ __ __

Clue #5: The criminal knew we were on his heels, so he

decided to grab a boat ride on the closest body of water, the
I __ __ __ __ __ __ __

R __ __ __ __

Clue #6: He stayed on this body of water as he traveled north

and then east, following canals all the way to the largest city
in Illinois, the City of
C __ __ __ __ __ __

He had a getaway car waiting at this location that took him

to his current hiding spot. Put the circled letters in order to
reveal where in Illinois the criminal is hiding!
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Make a Map of Illinois Project

Your task is to create your own map of Illinois, using the official map
as a reference. Your map must include:
A title (1 point)
A compass rose (1 point)
A legend with 3 or more symbols (2 points)
The capital of Illinois, labeled and marked with a star (1 point)
Your hometown (1 point)
3 other cities in Illinois (1 point)
The Illinois River (1 point)
Two roads or highways (1 point)
Your map should be neat and a product of your best work (1 point)

Get Printable Maps From:

Waterproof Paper.com