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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living Under the Illinois Black Codes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Worksheet
DePaul University

Settlement

For Students 3rd - 5th Standards
Early settlers in the American Midwest experienced constant struggle. This reading passage describes for young learners the hardships of homesteaders as they journeyed west and sought to start a new life. When finished, students identify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the History of the I&M Canal

For Teachers 5th - 9th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Jones and the Fight to Repeal the Black Laws

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Writing
Curated OER

Nov. 8, 1960 | Kennedy Is Elected President

For Students 9th - 12th
Using the presidential election of 1960 as background information, learners consider the push of electoral reform. They read about the events and issues surrounding President Kennedy's win in 1960 and compare them to the same issues...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 10: History of Illinois 1700's Dual Timeline

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils create a journal that includes historic events that occurred in Illinois in the 1700's that features entries on the same topics from different perspectives.
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Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero

For Teachers K - 2nd
Here, young historians compare their early lives to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s. They listen to a read aloud of a story by Dr. King's sister, and then write in the provided reflective journal template. Lastly, they share their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Adlai E. Stevenson II

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research work to research six areas in the life of Adlai E. Stevenson II: His Early life, Governor of Illinois, Campaigns for president, Ambassador to the UN, famous quotes, later years. They create a supply of notecards...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting a Sense of Time

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students gain an appreciation for geologic and historic time. They gain a general amount of information of the development of hte Chicago area, with particular attention given to the role of the Chicago River. Students contruct a time...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Help Wanted! Jobs in Ancient Mesopotamia

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore life in early Mesopotamia through a list of jobs that people taken from an ancient clay tablet found in Mesopotamia. The list is compare to jobs still performed in today's society.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

U.S. History Worksheet #68

For Students 6th - 8th
In this United States history learning exercise, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the nation's early history. A short answer question about Abraham Lincoln is included as...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Missouri

For Students 4th - 5th
In this Missouri worksheet, learners read a detailed 2 page history of the state. Students answer ten true and false questions about the passage.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Indiana

For Students 4th - 5th
In this Indiana activity, students read a two page text about the history of the state of Indiana. Students answer 10 true and false questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Come to Illinois - Or Not?

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students analyze primary documents to determine whether the author is pro- or anti-emigration. They outline reasons for or against immigration to Illinois during the early 19th century.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parallel Timelines

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research the history of how a particular environmental issue moves through the Conservation Movement. They create timelines that show the progression of public sentiment and the legislation about the issue.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Past

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study how archaeologists record the past. They discuss archaeology and artifacts. They view a list of artifacts discovered by Marquette at the Illinois Village and answer questions regarding them. They complete a test about...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Heritage" - "Hey, That's the Name of Our School!"

For Teachers 7th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Settling in the Midwest

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders search a database for pictures of home that early Midwestern settlers lived in. They create a class presentation using the pictures.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I & M Canal: Technological, Economic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read about and discuss the reasons European countries were interested in the Ohio Valley. They complete a puzzle to review vocabulary and watch a video on the Illinois Prairie and the I & M Canal. They rewrite the historical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The West "The People": The Lewis and Clark Expedition

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders become familiar with the conditions facing the members of the Expedition in the early 1800's, as well as the causes and consequences of the Expedition. They describe the conditions of the land in the 1800's and during the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 8: Early History of Illinois/Dual Timeline

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars, in groups, research and pretend as if they are interviewing a Mississippian child. They come up with three questions to ask to research their culture.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Missouri's Early Slave Laws: Missouri's Early Slave Laws:

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars analyze and discuss various documents relating to slavery in Missouri in the 1830's and 1840's. They learn why some records are deemed to be of permanent, historical value to the state.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Completing the Square Lesson Plan

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students investigate the origin of the quadratic function. In this algebra lesson, students analyze solving an equation by completing the square. They compare the early methods as compared to our method for solving quadratics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous Women in the Military

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify and research various women and their roles in military history. They describe how modern political positions are affected by differences in ideologies and viewpoints that have developed over time. Finally, students...