Curated OER
The Progressive Era in Illinois
High schoolers collect photographs on the Progressive Era in Illinois, then write three newspaper articles, using one photo per article. The article will highlight an event in Illinois during the Progressive Era. The newspaper must also...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: Illinois
Connect the geography and history of Illinois using an art-centered lesson on the railroads. The railroad connected once-distant places, particularly in the Midwest. Using research, class members create postcards of fictional cross-state...
Scholastic
The Rise of Railroads: Illinois
Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...
Curated OER
Prairie Poetry
Ninth graders take note of the ways in which word choice, rhythm, language and narrative voice, as well as point of view in a poem can be used to evoke a time and place. They use their insights to create a poem of their own.
Curated OER
Aerial Photography
Eleventh graders compare the artistic values of Terry Evans' photography with LandSAT images and other images made for purely scientific, government and commercial purposes. They consider the artistic choices made in aerial photography.
Curated OER
Lesson 11: Illinois History 1800's Dual Timeline
Middle schoolers identify and research key event in the history of Illinois during the 1800's and create a dramatic skit or oral report based on the event.
Curated OER
The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.
Curated OER
ILLINOIS PICTURE TIMELINE GAME
Fourth graders explore Illinois state history by finding six historical photos and then putting them in sequential order.
Curated OER
At Home on the French Frontier: 1700-1800
Students role play bartering for goods and services as the French settlers did in colonial Illinois. They start with eight household items to acquire through bartering. They have to calculate values for each object and determine the...
Curated OER
Prairie Settlement
Students make a decision for site selection for a farm during the 1840s in the Midwest. They build research and writing skills by recording the information used for analysis in a chart and as diary entries.
Other
Illinois State Museum: Native Americans
Explore aspects of Native American life in Illinois at this colorful website. Just click on the topics at the left to learn about this group during prehistoric and historic times.
Other
Illinois State Museum: At Home in the Heartland Online
Exhibit about family life in Illinois from 1700 to the present lets visitors experience the kinds of changes that an environment can undergo over several hundred years. Uses historical narratives, images of objects, timelines, maps, and...
Other
Illinois State Museum: At Home in the Heartland
Wonderful site that takes you on a tour of the history of Illinois! You are treated to pictures of such things as early prairie household objects and stories of early settlers - and much, much, more!
Other
Illinois State Museum: At Home in the Heartland
Wonderful site that takes you on a tour of the history of Illinois! You are treated to pictures of such things as early prairie household objects and stories of early settlers - and much, much, more!
Other
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency: A Chronology of Illinois History
Permission has been granted to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to provide this thorough timeline of the history of the Midwest state of Illinois. The chronology begins with B.C. 10,000 and goes through 1999.
Other
Chicago Historical Society
A rich source of historical information on Chicago. Search through entries, historical sources, maps, and special features.
A&E Television
History.com: Illinois
Take a detailed look at the state of Illinois! From its earliest history and peoples, to present day facts which include population, climate, geography, plants and animals, economy, government, cultural life, sports and recreation,...
Other
Southern Illinois History: Homepage
A good reference page, even if it limits itself to Southern Illinois. Good information on slavery in the Land of Lincoln, and the struggle between kidnappers and underground railroad. Site has a search function and plenty of photos.
Cayuse Canyon
The Us50: Illinois
Offers comprehensive information regarding Illinois history, famous people, cities, geography, state parks, tourism, and historic sites. A fact sheet of information and a quiz are also available.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Beginning in Illinois in 1846 Brigham Young led a large group of Mormoms to Salt Lake City to avoid persecution. The trail they followed is now known as the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. National Park Services provides the...
Other
Illinois History Pages
This site has county information as well as general Illinois information, all of which is somewhat general. There are a few links to other sites as well.