The Positive Impact of Migration on the Development of Des Moines, Iowa
| Grade | 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade | Class | Length of Lesson | 35-40 minutes |
| Lesson Title | The Positive Impact of Migration on the Development of Des Moines, Iowa |
| Unit Title | Hoyt Sherman: Venturing into the Unknown |
| Unit Compelling Question | Why did Hoyt Sherman decide to leave his home in Ohio and venture West? |
| 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 be 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), and Lampson Sherman (newspaper owner and mayor of Des Moines). According to U.S. World and Report, Iowa is ranked 12th in the United States for great places to live. The influence of Hoyt Sherman has left a lasting impact on the city of Des Moines and it continues to be a place of prosperity and opportunity for newcomers. |
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| Lesson Supporting Question | |
| Lesson Overview | This lesson will explain why Hoyt Sherman decided to take a chance and leave his home to venture West to explore unknown lands in hopes of opportunity and prosperity. By educating himself in law and business, he was able to help establish and develop the City of Des Moines in a way that worked for him but also made the city attractive to newcomers who were also looking for new opportunities. Much of Hoyt’s influence can still be felt today in the continued expansion and development of Des Moines. |
| Primary Sources Used |
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| Resources Needed | See attached pdf of power point See attached worksheet/study guide Additional Information:
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| Standard | |
| Lesson Target | Students will learn why Hoyt Sherman chose to leave his home and start over in Iowa during the mid-1800s.;Students will learn how Hoyt Sherman’s work led to the success of Des Moines today. |
| Lesson Themes | Settlers / Pioneers, Cities, Early Business and Industry |
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| Formative Assessment (How will you use the formative assessments to monitor and inform instruction?) |
Students will discuss questions from presentation and compare their answers to answers given in PP presentation. |
| Summative Assessment (How does the lesson connect to planned summative assessment(s)?) |
| Author | Janet Mootz | Created | Last Edited | ||||
| Reviewer: Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines | |||||||
| Lesson Plan Development Notes: Developed by collections staff at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. | |||||||
