Social Studies - Before Chicago

Students are beginning to discover
how Chicago changed from a
"Swamp to City"!

Last week, students started exploring their first social studies unit of the year.  The unit for Quarter 1 is titled: Before Chicago.  

In this unit, students will explore the early history of the area that became known as Chicago and how it became a settlement. They will investigate the Native American tribes that were its inhabitants and the explorers that were sent from other countries to claim the land. Students will learn how these early settlements developed and grew into the city of Chicago. Lessons, activities, and explorations for this unit are focused around the following guiding questions: Who were the early inhabitants of the area that became Chicago? What features of the area made it a good place to settle? Why were explorers sent to the area that later became Chicago? What was the importance of the early Chicago settlements? What were the factors that led to growth in Chicago? Students are currently creating a Before Chicago scrapbook.  For each guiding question, they will have 1-2 entries in their scrapbook.  These guiding questions are great conversation starters to use with your child!