Was the Homestead Act a Good Thing?

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This inquiry explores how and when Europeans and Americans moved onto the northern Great Plains. This topic is introduced through the investigation of the compelling question “was the Homestead Act a good thing?” The importance of understanding this context is twofold: (1) students should be able to understand what policies were enacted to encourage non-Native immigration and settlement in the territory, and later state, and (2) students will benefit from understanding whether or not these policies were successful and how they continue to affect the state to the present day. While progressing through the inquiry, students will analyze the changes occurring in social institutions and speculate future scenarios.

This inquiry is expected to take three class periods; however, teachers are encouraged to adapt the inquiry to meet the needs and interests of their students and the amount of time they have available.

Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
Compelling Question
Was the Homestead Act a good thing?
Standards and Practices
ND.6_12.4.3 Describe the major factors that brought settlers to North Dakota.
Staging the Question
What type of “social infrastructure” (institutions) is necessary to create and maintain a community?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
What impact did the Homestead Act have on the northern Great Plains?
What was life like in the towns and communities established by European and American immigrants and settlers?
How did communities build an education system?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Write a summary that outlines the path open to non-Native immigrants and settlers to acquire land in Dakota Territory.
Create a graphic organizer that depicts the social infrastructure of early non-Native communities in North Dakota. What kinds of institutions were commonly developed?
Describe the role of the education system in community development. What impact did consolidation have on urban and rural schools?
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
  • Railroad Map Set
  • State Map Set
  • Homestead Act
  • Timber Culture Act
  • Preemption
  • Rural & Town Schools Document Set
Summative Performance Task
Argument
Were policies intended to encourage immigrant and settlement in North Dakota, especially by preferred groups of people, successful? Construct an argument that addresses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views. Create a poster and present your argument to your class with evidence to support your claims.
Extension
Invite your School superintendent or school board president to speak to your class about school funding, plans for the future, and the assurance of quality education. Prepare questions and present them in advance to the speaker. Be prepared to ask more questions based on the speaker’s response to your prepared questions.
Taking Informed Action

Understand: Identify some of the key “social infrastructure” that is an important part of your community (such as a hospital or library).

Assess: Determine the role social infrastructure has in your community. What are some of the ways in which you can support those institutions?

Act: Create a poster or infographic that demonstrates the significance of an institution to your community and some suggestions through which people can continue to support that organizations. Share your poster or infographic with other people in your community.