LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES

The student will:

-gain a better understanding of the Homestead Act of 1862 by using primary sources in the library media center.
-learn and apply critical thinking skills to organize and synthesize information in order to create materials in different formats.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES:

The student will become familiar with and apply the principles of the Homestead Act. This activity may be incorporated into a social studies unit on Westward Expansion.

MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

The student will:

-become interested in the research process.
-understand the importance of information skills.
-experience increased confidence in research ability.
-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

1. Resource List
2. Application Form
3. Certificate of Ownership

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES:

-This activity may be completed by the library media specialist, the classroom teacher, or both.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION:

-Introduce the lesson by showing a picture of a family moving west. Ask what students observe about the picture, such as: what are they taking with them, why they might be going, etc.

-Read a brief review of the Homestead Act of 1862. Explain that each table of students will be a family (girls and boys have already been divided evenly among tables) that has gone west and selected a surveyed plot of land. Now, they must begin the process of securing the land under the Homestead Act.

-Introduce the book 'The Price of Free Land' and show the primary document for Daniel Freeman when he applied for his land. Then show students the simplified form that they as a family will fill out. When this is finished (about 10 minutes), a 'responsible adult' will take it to the 'land office' table to file with for nominal fee.

-Next, read or tell about the 'Race for the Land' and talk about what the family would do with the land right away (shelter, well, outhouse) Read aloud chapters from 'The Price of Free Land', such as 'The Great Day', 'The Tornado', and 'Winder Passes'.

-For the next activity, use the round table technique for writing about improvements to the land (5 minutes). The teacher then compiles a list on the board with improvements from each family's paper.

-The families should be congratulated for surviving and improving during the last five years. Now it's time to complete the final procedures. Show the form and the Primary source document that Daniel Freeman submitted for the Proof Required Form.- Show the simplified form and distribute those forms for the families to fill out. If time permits, read the chapter -The Certificate of Ownership. Have the families choose two reputable witnesses to represent them in court. Each family has their day in court and is told they will receive their deed in the mail.

FOLLOW-UP:

 
-Booktalk materials in the library media center about the Westward Expansion, including the 'Dear America' series.