Curated OER
USA's 50 Largest Cities
In this US Cities activity, students identify and locate USA's fifty largest cities. There are 50 cities listed for the students to locate in the word search.
Curated OER
The History of Your Chicago River
Students examine the history of the Chicago River. In groups, they identify the problems of the watershed and develop possible solutions. As a class, they examine the importance of the river to the Chicago area by reading a story. To...
Curated OER
The Meat-Packing Industry in Chicago During the Progressive Era
Students examine maps showing the hog and corn distribution of the United States. In groups, they research the reasons why Chicago became the natural hub for meat-packing processing in the United States. They examine changes in...
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire: Did Mrs. O'Leary's Cow Really Cause It?
Students research the Great Chicago Fire and its myths on how it started. They use their critical thinking skills to determine what really happened. They write an essay supporting their opinion on the fire.
Curated OER
Lesson 18: The Great Chicago Fire: City of Wood
Students research the causes of the Great Fire of Chicago and draw conclusion as to the most probable cause and preventative actions that could have minimized the damage.
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Young scholars research the Great Chicago Fire and create a reader's theater presentation that describes the experiences of survivors.
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
Curated OER
Chicago On Stage
Learners view a film about the genres and disciplines of performing arts. They examine the theatre community in Chicago and the origins of theatre companies. They answer questions and discuss them to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Chicago Rhythms, Chicago Roots
Students view a video about different types of music. They examine the history of jazz, big band and rock back to the city of Chicago. They discover Chicago's music scene today and compare it to the past.
Curated OER
Colors of Gray
Students view a film about theatres in Chicago. They discover how performing arts can be enjoyed by all ages and how one becomes involved in performing in theatre. They answer questions and discuss to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Land Use
Students examine ecosystems that covered Illinois 200 years ago, investigate some living and non-living components of ecosystems, identify components of prairie system, create food webs, and observe human effects on environment. Lessons...
Curated OER
Three Chicago Painters: Visual Thinking Skills Activity
Learners discuss the paintings of three Chicago painters. They are asked to observe their work and comment on it.
Curated OER
Chicago's Amazing Growth
Young scholars, in groups, collaboratively explore the rapid growth of Chicago (from 350 to 300,000 in less than 40 years), and how the city changed to accommodate such rapid growth.
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire: The O'Leary Hearing
Students dramatized the O'Leary hearing regarding the Chicago fire using the transcript from the original hearings as a script.
University of Chicago
University of Chicago Library: Chicago in 1919
Learn about Chicago in 1919 through music, video, images, and transcripts of newspaper articles of the time.
Other
Chicago History Museum: Louis Sullivan at 150
Visit the Chicago History Museum's retrospective about Louis Sullivan, famous Chicago architect.
Northwestern University
Hidden Truths: The Chicago City Cemetery and Lincoln Park
This project details the research, beginning with the original documents, and shows how the Chicago City cemetery became Lincoln Park. It also reveals how the physical remains of earlier Chicagoans became buried within the layers of...
Other
Chicago L: The Original L Companies
As part of a larger site, this article gives the history of the famous Chicago "L" and its development in the last part of the 19th century. Hyperlinks to photos, many of which are period photos.
Other
Skyscraper Museum: Big Buildings
A site devoted to exploring big buildings. Big Buildings are more than just tall, they are also wide from left to right and from front to back. Many of the world's most famous buildings are on view at this site, which includes photos and...
Chicago History Museum
Chicago Historical Society: The Dramas of Haymarket
The Chicago Historical Society presents extensive information about the 1886 bombing at Haymarket Square that helped change the course of the labor movement. Read about the bombing, arrests, trial, executions, and other events that...
Other
Studs Terkel: Conversations With America
Uncover much information here about the incredible life story of Studs Terkel, famous radio personality and prize winning author. Listen to his interviews for some fascinating insights into the diverse culture of American life.
Northern Illinois University
Illinois During the Guilded Age: The Haymarket Bomb in Historical Context
Through essays, primary documents, images, and videos, relive the Haymarket Bomb incident and see what society and politics were like during the Guilded Age.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: In Chicago, One Woman Offers a Safety Net
Article reports on the work of one woman who is trying to make Chicago a safer place for young people. Includes an audio version of the story.