1. Understand the relationship between U.S. land and homestead policies and the construction of schools and development of communities on the western frontiers; 2. Describe the importance of one-room schools to people in developing communities of the American West as educational facilities and community centers; 3. Compare/contrast the educational experience of rural students in one-room schools with their own educational experiences; 4. Research the oldest school in their community.
Recommended level: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
1. Land Policy and the Rise of Prairie Schools
2. One-Room Schools on the Frontier
3. Researching Your Community's School History