Primary Sources

Learning about the Homestead Act

Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies

Time Needed: One class period.
Materials Needed: Copy of the Homestead Act, Copy of the National Archives Written Document Analysis Worksheet, Poster Paper
Introductory Set
Ask students why their family lives in the community that they do? Students will likely respond with jobs or family. Ask why people move from one place to another. Answers will likely be opportunities or family. Ask students to imagine they were living in the 1860’s and identify where in the United States they would most likely live. Remind students that while there were American Indians living throughout the 30 Homesteaded states there were few others living on the plains. Share with students that today they will become familiar with the Homestead Act of 1862 that encouraged the settlement of the west.
Process
Students should complete the National Archives Written Document Analysis Worksheet in order to practice the skill. Students should answer the following questions in regard to the Homestead Act.
- How old did you have to be to make a claim?
-Could women make a claim?
- Did you have to be a citizen of the United States?
- How much land could you claim?
- What did you have to do to earn the deed to the land?
Discuss the answers to the questions with the entire class.
Culminating Activity
Once students have completed their questions they will create an illustrated poster that tells the story of the Homestead Act through images.

Transcript of Homestead Act 1862
Homestead Act of 1862 - Homestead National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Students should complete the National Archives Written Document Analysis Worksheet 
written_document_analysis_worksheet.pdf (archives.gov)
 

Last updated: July 26, 2021