The American Journey © 2012

Chapter 13: North and South

Student Web Activity

"Life in Sod Houses

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the western movement of farmers who settled the prairies in the mid-1800s. The grasslands of the Midwestern plains offered fertile soil to grow crops. Lacking lumber to build houses, the farmers used thick slices of sod cut from the land, to build walls and roofs of their homes. Some dug their homes and sheds into the sides of hills. In this activity you will take a closer look at these "soddies, how they were built, and what it was like to live in these homes.

Destination Title: Pioneer Life: Sod Houses

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Directions
Start at the Sod Houses Web page.
  • Observe the photos on each link and read the information.

After you have read the information on the Web site answer the following questions.

1
What was one advantage of living in a sod house?
2
What was one disadvantage of living in a sod house?
3
When building a sod house, in what pattern were the sod "bricks" laid?
4
In what states did you notice the sod houses in the photographs were built?
5
Use a poster board or large piece of paper to create a postage stamp that commemorates the era of the sod house. Your poster may be of the exterior or interior of a soddie.
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