CHAPTER 21: The Twentieth Century "The Panama Canal"

Introduction
Students have read how the United States began building the Panama Canal during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt. In this lesson, students will learn more about the history and operation of the canal.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the Panama Canal Web site to view images of the canal as it appears today and during its various stages of construction. They will have the opportunity to see the canal via live cam. They will explore animations showing how the canal works and answer four questions using the information they have gathered.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will be able to describe the operation of the Panama Canal.
2. Students will observe images of the construction and the present state of the Panama Canal.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. It links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
2. Locks are necessary because ships have to be raised from the Atlantic Ocean to Gatun Lake and then lowered from the lake to the Pacific Ocean.
3. three; Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Miraflores Locks
4. Students' descriptions may vary but should accurately explain the operation of the locks.

GO TO STUDENT ACTIVITY