How has life changed since the days of pioneers? Objective Students will compare the lifestyle of the 1800s to their own lifestyle. Students will realize that their lives are physically easier than those of the children in the past. Students will be aware of the style of life of pioneer Americans in the 1800s. Background Homes were built of hewn logs with a roof of boards and dirt or puncheon floors (hewn logs) and were chinked with either clay or a mixture of moss and mud. In the earliest construction, wooden pegs were used in place of nails. A large fireplace was built at one end of the cabi Duration: 30 Minutes.