Teaching 4th-grade social studies is exciting! In this history lesson, students will learn about the Homestead Act of 1862.
NOT IN IDAHO? NO PROBLEM! This lesson covers 4th-grade standards about settlers and includes activities/readings that will add value to any state's curriculum.
Use this 4th-grade history lesson about the Homestead Act in so many ways!
✅ Introduce the Homestead Act with the lesson postcard.
✅ Invite students to read about the Homestead Act and respond to questions.
✅ Complete the project, game, or simulation that comes with the lesson.
✅ Check students’ skills using differentiated assessments.
✅ Challenge students to complete the Idaho History Mystery and earn a badge!
Included in this 4th-grade Idaho history lesson about the Homestead Act:
✏️ Reading Passages about Pioneer Lifestyles with Comprehension Questions
✏️ Math Problems Related to the Reading & 1 Math Challenge Page
✏️ Science Connection about Weather on the Plains
✏️ Quilt Names and Designs (3 Printable Pages of 3"x3" Quilt Squares - Perfect for making a 9"x9" Construction Paper Quilt
✏️ 1 Writing Challenge Page
Idaho History Mystery Elements:
Set the Stage: Postcard
- Engage students at the beginning of the lesson and present the mystery.
Introduction: Read All About It!
- Students can read about the Homestead Act and respond to questions. Introduce educational materials for the lesson and review resources from the Recommended Supplemental Materials section.
Engage: Project
- Students interact with the materials on a more creative level.
✏️ Show What You Know: Assessments
- Invite students to show what they have learned about Idaho History through a differentiated assessment. Customize the learning environment for gifted learners and students who need additional support.
✏️ Earn a Badge: Mystery
- Students complete one “Escape Room-Style” mystery at the end of each lesson. They check their answer on Google Forms or with the teacher’s answer key and color a badge on their Idaho state page!
✏️ Answer Keys
A 29-slide PowerPoint includes the text and questions from the printed packet. This makes it perfect for presenting to the class and using PearDeck or similar applications.
Hear about this 4th-Grade Homestead Act Activity from educators like you!
⭐️ “This activity was a great addition to our pioneer day. We mainly focused on the design and decorating of our quilts and students were extremely engaged!”
⭐️ “This was an awesome resource! There is so much good information and so many interesting quilt designs. I used it with 4th grade library students as we read about homesteaders in Nebraska. They liked it so much that they wanted to design and make their own quilts.”
⭐️ “A terrific resource of both historical information and artistic teaching. I used it as an extension to our Oregon Trail unit and a lead in to a sewing project we did of our own.”
⭐️ “This resource fit in so well with our unit! We had an aide who brought in some real quilts to share as well!”
⭐️ “We loved this resources with our pioneer unit!”
Find answers to your questions about this Idaho State History Social Studies Lesson:
✋ Do I need a specific textbook to use this resource?
- No. The activities can all stand alone. I have added chapters from the Idaho Adventure Textbook on one “suggested extra resources” page, but none of the activities rely on this textbook.
✋ Do I have to live in Idaho to find value in this social studies lesson about the Homestead Act?
- No. This lesson aligns with Idaho Social Studies Content Standards and topics addressed in 4th-grade Idaho History lessons. However, many of these topics are also taught in other states.
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