The Telegraph Operator's Challenge - 5.RI.1-4 & 5.NBT.5/6

"One morning, Emma received a message requesting 1,560 barrels of flour to be delivered to a supply depot to feed Union soldiers. Each wagon could carry 24 barrels. Emma had to figure out how many wagons were needed to transport the flour."

Emma then faced another challenge. The station had only 5 hours before the wagons were scheduled to depart. Workers could load 32 barrels per hour onto each wagon. She needed to determine if they could load all 1,560 barrels in time.

RI.5.1: Why did Emma calculate the number of wagons needed?

• To determine how long it would take to deliver the supplies

• To confirm if there were enough wagons to transport all the barrels

• To report the number of wagons to the soldiers

• To organize the barrels for the workers

RI.5.2: What are two main ideas of the story?

• Emma's calculations ensured the delivery was on time.

• Emma struggled to communicate with the depot.

• The telegraph operator’s role was important during the Civil War.

• Soldiers requested supplies directly from Emma.

RI.5.3: How did Emma’s calculations and the soldiers’ needs connect?

• Emma’s calculations determined whether the soldiers would receive their supplies.

• The soldiers didn’t depend on Emma’s calculations to get the supplies.

• The soldiers needed Emma to calculate the cost of the supplies.

• The calculations and the soldiers’ needs were unrelated.

What does the term “relay” mean in the context of the story?

• To calculate numbers

• To carry barrels

• To send messages

• To deliver supplies