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Contextualizing Hoyt Sherman Place

General Information
Grade Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade Class Social Studies Length of Lesson 60-90 minutes
Lesson Title Contextualizing Hoyt Sherman Place
Unit Title Hoyt Sherman: Venturing into the Unknown
Unit Compelling Question
Historical Context:

When Hoyt Sherman arrived in Des Moines in 1848 the population was only 127.  He took on many jobs and roles that helped Des Moines become a business and cultural center.  He studied law and passed the Iowa Bar in 1849.  He worked with other community leaders to establish post offices, schools, waterworks, banks, and railways.  This gave Des Moines a strong infrastructure for increasing the population rapidly.  The population increased to 22,000 in 1880 and 50,000 in 1890.  His business and law background gave him the knowledge to create Equitable Life Insurance Company.  This was a huge boost to the economy of Des Moines and helped to establish it as one of the insurance capitals of the world, which it remains to this day.

The Sherman family had a big impact on the United States during the mid-1800s.  Other family members, besides Hoyt, include General William Tecumseh Sherman (Civil War General), John Sherman (Sherman Anti-Trust Act, Ohio Senator and Secretary of Treasury), Charles Sherman (Ohio Supreme Court), Lampson Sherman (newspaper owner and mayor of Des Moines), and more.

Emily Roeder, Education Program Coordinator, Hoyt Sherman Place
Lesson Supporting Question

How has Hoyt Sherman Place changed over time, and why is it still important to Des Moines today?
Lesson Overview

Students will learn why Hoyt Sherman Place is important to Des Moines by exploring its history as a home, theater, and museum.  They will look at pictures, make a simple timeline, and create postcards that imagine the mansion.  This lesson will help students connect history and art to what they will see.
Primary Sources Used
Lithograph 2018.003.005
Photograph 2018.003.006
Photograph 2018.003.007
Photograph 2018.003.008
Photograph 2018.003.009
Resources Needed

Hoyt Sherman Place website

Hoyt Sherman Place video

History PowerPoint pdf

Family Tree PowerPoint pdf

Curriculum

Resources needed: Powerpoint (pdf) Curriculum guide, research materials, and historic places video, art supplies.
Standard
Lesson Target

Students will learn about Hoyt Sherman's historical significance and compare its past and present uses.
Lesson Themes Settlers / Pioneers, Visual Arts, Cities
Lesson Procedure
StepProcedureTimeDifferentiation plan / Additional Information
1Introduction: Students will be introduced to Hoyt Sherman Place and what makes it special to Des Moines, Iowa.15 min.

Historical Overview: Share a simple story or video about Hoyt Sherman and his mansion, including his arrival in Iowa, his contributions to the city, and how it became Hoyt Sherman Place.

Creative Drawing: Draw what you think Hoyt Sherman Place might look like.  How do you think it has changed over time?

Discussion: Use Power/Points or website to spark a discussion on why Hoyt Sherman Place might be special to Des Moines.  Full class, pairs, or small groups.

2Historical Timeline Project: Students will look at pictures of Hoyt Sherman Place from different times, talk about how it has changed, and create a simple timeline of important events.25 min.

Show images: Present images of Hoyt Sherman Place from different times (1877, 1907, 1923, 2020). Briefly explain what is happening in each image.

Compare and Contrast: Use a compare and contrast chart on chart paper to discuss with students how the mansion has changed and how it has stayed the same.  Focus on the functions of the space: Home: How was it as a private residence? Hospital: How did it change as a hospital?  Theater: How did it adapt for performances?  Museum: What features show its role as a museum?

Timeline: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a timeline.  Have students create pictures and/or text to showcase order or events in history.  Students choose which pieces of history are important to include in the eight boxes.

Share: Encourage students to explain their choices for the order of events and share how Hoyt Sherman Place has changed over time.  Students can compare their timelines to what they learned after their visit.

3Hoyt Sherman Place Postcard: Students will design and create postcards featuring their own version of Hoyt Sherman Place, incorporating imaginative details and historical elements.15 min

Art Activity: Create postcards showing their imagination of Hoyt Sherman Place.  Discuss what might be included on a postcard, such as the building's appearance or decorations.

Designing "Postcards": Provide each student a postcard and ask them to draw or create a collage of Hoyt Sherman Place on the front side.

Writing a Message: On the back side of the postcard, students write a short message.  They can pretend to send the postcard to a friend and share what they would be most excited to see at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Sharing: Allow students to share their postcards with the class or in small groups.  Encourage them to explain their drawings and the messages they wrote.  Remind students that they can compare their postcards with what they see during their visit.

4Closures: Students will summarize their findings.5 min

Quick write: Jot down lingering questions on history and discuss as a class.

Recap: Review what students now know. Emphasize the importance of understanding historical and artistic contexts.  Review the museum guide.

Extra Time: Explore the student supplemental materials at the back of the guide.
Assessment
Formative Assessment
(How will you use the formative assessments to monitor and inform instruction?)

Questions, reflections, timelines, and postcards.
Summative Assessment
(How does the lesson connect to planned summative assessment(s)?)

N/A
Author Information
Author Emily Roeder Created Last Edited
Reviewer: Emily Roeder, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines
Lesson Plan Development Notes: Use the curriculum guide for extensions as well as opportunities to engage with the museum and incorporate visual arts.
Emily Roeder, Education Program Coordinator, Hoyt Sherman Place
Lithograph
2018.003.005 [Lithograph]
Photograph
2018.003.006 [Photograph]
Photograph
2018.003.007 [Photograph]
Photograph
2018.003.008 [Photograph]
Photograph
2018.003.009 [Photograph]