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...

Students develop awareness of occurrences of earthquakes in Illinois and their past and potential future damage, and examine distribution of earthquakes in central U.S. regions.

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...

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...

In this Illinois worksheet, learners fill in a map of Illinois with its cities and attractions. Students fill in the map with as many major cities and attractions as they can find.

Students identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to introduce...

Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...

Tenth graders collect and analyze soil samples and extrapolate the characteristics needed to support different types of plant life. They research different types of prairie soil and how it supports plant and animal life.

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.

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.

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...

Students 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 their...

Learners read about the life and work of John and Mary Jones. Using primary source documents, they draw conclusions about their role in the abolistionist movement. They also examine artifacts from their lives and analyze their portrait...

Students research the Internet to locate information about the Route 66 Festival. They focus on the history of the route in Illinois and create a web page of information.

In this crossword puzzle instructional activity, students read the clues about the state of Illinois. Students complete the crossword with 10 words about the state.

In this Illinois worksheet, students search for words in a word search having to do with famous people in Illinois, places, and history. Students find 10 words.

In this Illinois worksheet, students unscramble the letters in 20 words to spell key cities, regions, people or resources in the state of Illinois.

In this Illinois worksheet, learners study a picture of the state quarter of Illinois. Using the information on the coin, students answer 5 short essay questions.

In this online interactive language arts worksheet, students write an acrostic poem regarding Illinois using the letters ILLINOIS. This worksheet may also be printed for use in classrooms.

Learners read and discuss the important environmental issues of acid rain and global climate change in relation to Illinois coal. According to the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, acid rain has had minimal effects on our...

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.

Students research the causes of the Great Fire of Chicago and draw conclusion as to the most probable cause and preventative actions that could have minimized the damage.

Young scholars research the Great Chicago Fire and create a reader's theater presentation that describes the experiences of survivors.

Students compare and contrast the experiences of two survivors of the Great Fire of Chicago using a Venn Diagram.