NPR
This Isn't Right: Women Reform Leaders
The 20th century saw many new possibilities open up to women in America, thanks to many well-known female historical figures — and some women who are not as famous but who are equally accomplished. Learn about the women who contributed...
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...
Curated OER
Hammurabi's Code: What Does It Tell Us About Old Babylonia?
Students examine life in Babylonia during the time of King Hammurabi. They read and discuss excerpts of the Code of Hammurabi, participate in a simulation of advisors to the king, complete an online interactive activity, answer...
University of Chicago
Comparing Modern and Ancient Ideas of Ethnicity and Identity
Explore ethnicity and identity with a research and writing assignment. Class members conduct online research, looking in particular at images and carefully noting down their sources on notecards. They read about identity and compose...
Curated OER
The ABC's of Artifacts
Students create their own ABC book about artifacts. In this artifact lesson, students read ABC History Mystery and review the artifacts pictured in the book. They create their own ABC book with each student working on a letter.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
The Rocks Under Illinois
Pupils examine the rock layers in Illinois. They draw the many rock layers using the Geology website. They discover the arrangement of strata of rocks.
Curated OER
ISM: Bertha Stenge Quilt Collection Activity: Design a Local Quilting Pattern
Pupils research quilt designs by Bertha Stenge. They make a list of things that they could stylize as a design motif. They create a quilt design based on local history and landmarks and sew it onto a pre-made quilt block or quilt.
Joslyn Art Museum
Diego Rivera: Masterworks from the Museo de Arte del Estado de Veracruz
Being inspired by the art of Diego Rivera, young artists use fresco techniques to create art as a group. They research Rivera's life and art, then get into small groups to use wet plaster and acrylics to experience fresco painting....
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The First Amendment? D'oh!
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about First Amendment rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Stories of the Wrights' Flights
Young scholars examine primary sources to understand the work of Wright Brothers. In this aviation history lesson, students study how primary documents and images are analyzed and write essays about the signifcance of primary soures in...
Curated OER
ESL Pronunciation Activity
In this ESL pronunciation learning exercise, students cross out the word in a row that has the same sound as all other words.A reference web site for additional activities is given.
Curated OER
A Different Kind of Rock Star
Students examine the mysteries of Mars. For this scientific comprehension lesson, students read a USA Today article and discuss questions about Mars. To conclude the lesson, students engage in a Rorshach inspired experiment.
Curated OER
The Wrights' Flight: History Through Primary Sources
Students read primary source material about the Wrights' first flight such as a journal and a telegram. In this The Wrights' Flight lesson, students select the most reliable primary source and compare the pros and cons of using primary...
Curated OER
Reflecting Culture Through Coins
Students research and recreate coins from ancient civilizations to determine how the imagery reflects the cultures which originally made them.
Curated OER
Ed Paschke
Students examine and discuss the artistic style and techniques of the artist Ed Paschke. They analyze various works of art by Ed Paschke, then choose an icon from art history and alter a photocopy of it using scissors and collage materials.