This is for a unit in U.S. History on westward expansion. Through a simulation game, students will experience and learn the difficulties settlers faced while farming the Great Plains in the mid 1850's. Although the Homestead Act drew many settlers out west, this simulation teaches students the challenges that they faced upon arrival. The simulation covers the years 1855, 1856 and 1857. Students will plan their crops and/or animals each year based on a budget. Each year they will learn the o