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Celebrate Family Story Month
Creative lesson and activity ideas that record family stories and memories.
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As the World Spins
Young scholars research forms of and uses for pottery. They examine the people who created the pottery and create a presentation to exhibit their findings.
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Introduction of Primary Sources
Students will use the internet to access information about artifacts to justify their use as primary sources of information. The activities can be done as a whole class or in groups. The differences between primary and secondary sources...
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East Asian Architecture
Seventh graders compare architecture in East Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American architecture. They search the internet for current and historic images of East Asian...
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North African and Southwest Asian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of North African and Southwest Asian architecture. They compare North African and Southwest Asian architecture to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, and South...
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Russian and Eurasian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Russian and Eurasian architecture. They compare current Russian and Eurasian architecture to North American, European, and South American architecture.
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Southeast Asian Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Southeast Asian architecture. They compare architecture in Southeast Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American...
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South American Architecture
Seventh graders review and discuss what they read about North American architecture. They then study images of North and south American architecture and make comparisons
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Food Time Line
Fourth graders make a timeline to include the immigrants of 1880-1910. Then, in groups, they research foods consumed, purchase, and serve it to the class.
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Urban Treasure Hunt
Fourth graders use clues, and a photo, to find the location of a building in Illinois. They then take a present picture and create a powerpoint presentation to compare past and present features
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Understanding Civilizations through Art
Students research artwork, and create their own using their research as a model. They write a report on the importance of artwork in civilizations.
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McLean Train Yard
Students conduct online research and incorporate graphics and maps into a Powerpoint presentation that details life at the McLean train yard in its heyday.
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The Civil War - Lesson #1 of 3
Eleventh graders design a newspaper, with images, that reflects historically accurate information about how Illinois residents felt and acted during the Civil War.
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Why do we call him Uncle Sam
Seventh graders create an image of a common patriotic symbol. They then complete a research project on the symbol they chose. The teacher creates a rubric which is used as the grading process.
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Civil War: Matthew Brady Photos
Fourth graders read background information on Matthew Brady and examine photographs of the Civil War taken by him. They fill in worksheets based on their research.
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African Architecture
Seventh graders investigate cultural influences on architecture in Africa south of the Sahara. They compare the architecture to that in North America, Europe, Russia, and North Africa, Asia, and South America.
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European Architecture
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of European architecture. They compare current European architecture to North American, and South American architecture.
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School Museum
Fourth graders research individuals who contributed to the history of Illinois, and what school was like at that time. They compare schools of various times.
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Asian Civilizations
Seventh graders complete computer based research to complete a travel brochure that highlights an Asian civilization.
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Studying the Great Depression Through Novels
Eighth graders view pictures of life in a small town during the Great Depression in Illinois to gain an understanding of living conditions during the era. They read novels based on life of this era.
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WWI VS. WWII
Eleventh graders compare and contrast public perception and the role of government over time.
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Introduction of Primary Sources
First graders are introduced to photographs and newspaper articles to be used as primary sources. Using a projecter, they are shown photographs of a famous person to prove they were real and not make believe. In groups, they use...
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Class Celebration of Primary Sources (Lesson 6)
First graders participate in a celebration to end their examination on primary sources. In teams, they guide special guests around their classroom to show what they have done with primary sources. They share their peronal primary...
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Immigration and Settlement of Ethnic Groups in the Pacific Northwest
Young scholars examine ethnic history of the Pacific Northwest in the period 1850-1950. They research documents and images in digital archives to explore immigration of various ethnic groups that settled in the region during this period.