Smithsonian Institution
Borders and Community: Early 20th Century Chicago Neighborhoods and Ethnic Enclaves
Chicago is one city, four neighborhoods, and countless nationalities. The lesson explores the ethnic division of Chicago in the early twentieth century. Academics read primary sources, analyze maps, and tour an online exhibit to...
Penguin Books
Teacher’s Guide: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
At first glance Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street seems to be a charming collection of vignettes about a young Latina's observations about the people in her Chicago neighborhood. Developing questions that prompt readers to think...
Polk Bros Foundation
Harold Washington's Acceptance Speech - April 12th, 1983
Harold Washington forged a coalition of voters and won the Chicago mayoral election of 1983. In doing so he became the first black mayor of that racially and ethnically divided city. Excerpts from his speech are included in a worksheet...
Voices of a People's History
Voices in The Classroom
Everyone's perspective of the past is different. A thought-provoking unit gives young academics the opportunity to explore their perspectives on history and their neighborhoods. Based on the work of Howard Zinn, each lesson explores...
Curated OER
Historical Markers
Students read the "Chicago Tribute Markers of Distinction," and pick one famous person to write about. In this creative writing worksheet, students write about this person's home. Additionally, students pretend that 100 years from now, a...
Balanced Assessment
Cost of Living
Math scholars investigate the cost of living in Hong Kong compared to Chicago but must first convert the different types of currency. They then choose a type of graph to compare different spending categories and finish the activity by...
Curated OER
Urbanization As Seen Through Late 19c - Early 20c Architecture
Incorporating the cultures, architecture, and ethnic populations of several American cities (namely Chicago and New York), this presentation displays vivid photographs of buildings and people in 19th - 20th century urban America. The...
Curated OER
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
High schoolers examine the philanthropic acts of Jane Addams. They identify a current problem in their community and develop ways to help. They also examine the work done in the Hull House in Chicago.
Curated OER
Field Trip Preparation
Students prepare for a field trip. They navigate through a Underground Network site. This "field trip" can be conducted in a patch of healthy grass or soil anywhere you can find it: right outside your building, in a backyard or at a...
Curated OER
Locating Points Using Cartesian Coordinates
Students discover coordinates as they explore Chicago. In this math lesson plan, students give the coordinates of a point, plot a point, and use the coordinate system in locating places on a map.
Curated OER
The Regions In Which I Live
Learners investigate different regions. Beginning with the idea that a neighborhood is a region, students explore maps to discover that towns, states, and countries can also be considered regions. Learners create a book, with...
Curated OER
Rooftop Gardens
Second graders investigate how to help a city building remain cooler on the inside. They create a rooftop garden in order to shield the building and lower the internal temperature. The garden is meant to replace the black tar paper that...
Curated OER
Locating IIT Using Ordered Pairs
Students investigate ordered pairs. In this math lesson, students plot and locate ordered pairs in a coordinate plane and are exposed to how to read and create a map.
Curated OER
Freshwater Sharks Bite Children at 35th Beach. A Play
Students delve into a study of sharks. In this science lesson plan, students examine the many different scientific occupations, as well as some possible specializations therein, and perhaps a little bit of other life considerations,...
Curated OER
Pizza for Everyone
Pizza is the inspiration for the cross-curricular lesson detailed here. Start out with a poem about pizza and move into a discussion about balanced eating. To close the language arts portion of the lesson, ask your pupils to write...
Curated OER
Introduction to Atoms
In this atoms worksheet, students answer four different sets of questions related to atoms (fill in the blank, multiple choice, word puzzle and true and false).
Curated OER
Making Predictions
Students collect and classify items. For this making predictions lesson, students go outside and collect specimens of plants, insects and minerals. They classify each item and place them in a Venn Diagram. Students compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Turn of the Century Immigration
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....
Curated OER
WWI and Twenties & Thirties
Students study economics and timelines of events to understand changes in America. In this Twenties and Thirties lesson, students navigate Internet sites to research famous reformers. Students recognize the economic changes through...
Curated OER
Lesson Plans on the Intersection of History and Literature
Finding out about "the story behind the story" can provide a greater understanding of literature and its historical and social context.
Curated OER
Journalism with Natalie Moore
Learners analyze journalism in the 21st century. In this journalism lesson, students read about Natalie Moore and the changing field of journalism by completing the activities in the packet.
Curated OER
Pizza Portions
Students explore mathematics by participating in a pizza pie activity. In this nutrition lesson, students identify the caloric intake in a piece of pizza and estimate the average number of slices eaten by a person. Students utilize...
Curated OER
Self-Portrait Shields
Students listen to the story, The Shield of Athena, and examine the original context of the sculptural fragment of a fallen warrior. They list important events and people in their lives, then create shields that depict their personal...
Curated OER
Flag Wars
Students consider how zoning policy shapes the character of neigborhoods. They see how zoning and loan policies have been used historically in the U.S. to benefit some people and discriminate against others. They examine tensions between...