Curated OER
How Old Is Illinois?
High schoolers use fossils found in rocks to determine the age of the strata between Rock Island and Chicago. Pupils pretend they are geologists. They must determine the age of all rock layers between the Mississippi River and Lake...
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Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...
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Alphabetizing Places and Things in Illinois
In this alphabetizing places and things in Illinois worksheet, 4th graders use the word bank at the bottom of the page and put ten words about Illinois in alphabetical order.
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Living Under the Illinois Black Codes
Students use the text of the Illinois Black Codes to examine the laws in place. Using this information, they draw their own conclusions about why the laws existed in a free state. They also identify the purpose of these laws and how they...
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Miners of the Prairie: The Days of Shaft Mining in Northern Illinois
Students explore the life and times of a coal miner in Illinois through the analysis of primary source documents and images.
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An Upbeat West Side Story: Puerto Ricans and Postwar Racial Politics in Chicago
Tenth graders read an article about the migration of Puerto Ricans to Chicago. As a class, they identify the barriers the immigrants faced regarding employment and separation from family members. To end the lesson, they work with a...
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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.
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.
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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.
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Illinois Crossword
In this crossword puzzle worksheet, students read the clues about the state of Illinois. Students complete the crossword with 10 words about the state.
Curated OER
Illinois word search
In this Illinois worksheet, students search for words in a word search having to do with famous people in Illinois, places, and history. Students find 10 words.
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: Illinois
Connect the geography and history of Illinois using an art-centered activity on the railroads. The railroad connected once-distant places, particularly in the Midwest. Using research, class members create postcards of fictional...
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The Rocks Under Illinois
The goal of this fine geology lesson is to have learners create a map that shows how the rock layers are arranged far underground where they can't be seen. The ambitious lesson plan requires high schoolers to learn the law of...
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Illinois Today
Fourth graders research and present information about what the state of Illinois is like today. They create a virtual field trip of the state.
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Lesson 24: The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students, in groups, explore the Great Chicago Fire. They decide which moment from the fire is significant and create a story corner.
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Lesson 22: The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students, in groups, create a historical fiction story of a Great Chicago Fire survivor by writing a survival narrative.
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Illinois: Crossword Puzzle
For this United States history worksheet, learners use the 15 clues in order to fill in the crossword puzzle with the appropriate answers pertaining to Illinois.
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Illinois Challenge
In this Illinois worksheet, students complete a set of 10 multiple choice questions about Illinois. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
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Exploring the History of the I&M Canal
Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
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John Jones and the Fight to Repeal the Black Laws
Middle schoolers examine the role of John Jones and his fight to repeal the Black Laws of Illinois. Using the text of the law, they explore his reasoning for repealing the laws and the arguments he used to support his beliefs. They draw...
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How Old Is Illinois?
High schoolers use fossils found in rocks to determine the age of rock in Illinois. They use a chart to identify the fossils and then identify the periods of rock.
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Chicago's Amazing Growth
Students, 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
Treasure Chest
Students explore Chicago in the fur-trading era. In this Chicago instructional activity, students discover what life what like during this time. Students read an historical fiction story about life in the fur-trade era. Students view...