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Research Activities and/or Assessments
- Have students complete the following Think, Pair, Share Activity on pioneer life during the Early Settlement of North Dakota. (This technique may be used for any topic.)
- Immigrants left their homes in Europe or other continents to move to the prairies of North Dakota where they either knew a few relatives or friends who came with them or no one at all. Have each student think individually what traits or abilities would have been needed to be able to leave their home and country to move to a place they knew little about. Working in pairs, have students share their ideas and thoughts with each other. Examples may include: bravery, vision, responsibility, courage, ability to persevere, ability to adapt, health, etc.
- Have students think of and write down examples from their own lives in which they have recognized some or all of these characteristics in themselves.
- Students may then share their thoughts or examples from their own experiences with a partner on one or all of the traits or abilities by writing down their ideas on the board and/or poster paper for the entire class to see and to discuss.
- Assign individuals or small groups to research and demonstrate their knowledge of the Early Settlement of North Dakota through one of the formats listed below. Research one of the following assignments in depth, and share it with others choosing one of the following methods:
- Homesteaders had to find their own entertainment to occupy any free time they might have had. Research the types of entertainment people engaged in while living on the prairies of North Dakota. Include home, church, and community functions.
- Immigrant trains brought thousands of people to North Dakota from other countries. Research the immigrant trains, finding out as much information as you can to share with others in the class.
- Agriculture, or farming, was done very differently during the early settlement era as compared to modern farming. Research the types of machinery used, the farming techniques, and a typical workday of a farmer during early settlement and compare with today’s farmers by demonstrating knowledge of the similarities and differences of each era.
- The Homestead Act stated that each homesteader had to live in a dwelling at least 8 feet by 10 feet in size. Was this a realistic size for a family? Debate the pros and cons of this size of home.
- Several prominent individuals contributed to the success of North Dakota in its early years. Choose someone of interest (e.g., founder of a North Dakota town, etc.), research him/her, and share.
- Four main types of homes were built and lived in by early settlers during the early settlement era of North Dakota (i.e., frame homes or shanties, log cabins, dugouts, sod houses). Research one of these in depth and share it with others choosing one of the following methods: Report (written or oral), Radio Broadcast (tape player), Student-generated bulletin board on topic, Slide presentation (electronic or created on left-over laminated sheets and placed on an overhead projector), Student-generated tests of the material covered, PowerPoint or iMovie, News report, Oral history of an event, Television Report (PowerPoint), Interview, Demonstration, Dramatization of a legend and myth, Commercial, Jump Rope Rhyme/Poetry, Play (puppet or real life parts), Role Play, Simulation, Skit, Song writing to fit a topic, TV talk show, Weather Report, Tongue Twister, Map, Mobile, Brochure, Crossword Puzzle, Illustrated and written book on topic, Scrapbook, Timeline, Cartoon, Model, or Diorama. Be Creative! Think of other ways the student can demonstrate the knowledge of his/her topic!
