Students discover the cultural of Chicago's South Side. In this African American History lesson, students examine the migration and contributions of African Americans as they moved into cities of the North. Students will explore...

Seventh graders produce stories, poems, and drawings about Weisenborn's 1936 mural and make a comparable collage about Chicago in 2000.

Students compare and debate how an ancient Greek sculpture is similar to modern art. Then they orally describe the cultural contributions of early Greek civilization and their relationship to the modern world.

Students investigate the ancient Egyptian diet and compare it to the contemporary American diet.

Are the Olympic Games a benefit for their host countries and cities? Scholars decide for themselves in preparation for a class debate or discussion. After reading a brief background and overview of the topic, pupils read the top three...

Students compare the ancient Greek method of schooling and writing to contemporary methods and learn the Greek alphabet on wax tablets.

Students design and create foil coins with images that symbolize students' imaginary leadership in the ancient world. They model their coins on those made for Alexander the Great. They discuss what made him an important historical figure.

Students calculate the size of a mummy case and its contents using ancient Egyptian measurements.

In this Welsh history worksheet, learners identify the names of four famous Welsh people based on the descriptions given. Students also take an eight question multiple choice quiz based on their knowledge of Wales. Learners participate...

In this Illinois learning exercise, students search for words in a word search having to do with famous people in Illinois, places, and history. Students find 10 words.

Students discuss the importance of establishing the I & M Canal water route. They watch a video about the canal's history. They collect and write a personal migration story by interviewing a family member. They analyze trends and...

Students become familiar with the art and architecture and history of the Chicago World's Fair.  In this public arts project lesson, students compare and contrast fine art and public art through a study of the exhibits at the...

Students write a persuasive letter asking James Cameron to choose their disaster for his next movie.

Young historians research one of the most colorful periods in US History: the cattle drives of the 1800's. They research the three most popular trails, and complete mapping and writing assignments about each one. The lesson plan has many...

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women is a literary masterpiece as well as a timestamp of the formative mid-nineteenth century in America. Using a primary source set of photographs, letters, and portraits, readers discuss the ways...

Should Social Security be privatized, or is the government program fine just the way it is? Scholars read pro and con arguments and watch videos to learn more about the debate topic. Pupils also have an opportunity to interact with other...

High schoolers explore the immigration wave that hit the United States in 19th century. In this immigration lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to determine what the immigration experience was like for new citizens....

Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts.  In this U.S. history lesson plan, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first...

Seventh graders gain a better understanding of the canal period in U.S. History, and more specifically, discern the importance of the Illinois and Michigan Canal on the development of Illinois as a state and Chicago as a prominent city.

Students examine aesthetic movement known as modernism, discover why organizers chose modernism as World Fair's design pattern, interpret photographs of modernist fair buildings and identify artifacts that reflect modernist ideas, and...

Students distinguish between the privileges of being a U.S. Citizen and privileges that are forfeited if not a U.S. Citizen.  For this history lesson, students analyze the rights of people in a democratic society through research,...

Did you know horsepower is actually based on the power of a horse? 60 horse power is the equivalent of being pulled by a team of 60 horses! Viewers will learn other interesting facts like this from a presentation that begins with the...

“America herself is an improbable journey.” So is Deval Patrick’s journey from the South Side of Chicago to the governorship of Massachusetts. The complete text of Patrick’s inaugural speech, delivered outdoors facing Boston Common,...