IL Learning Social Science Learning Goal 16
Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States, and other nations
(Illinois History)
Examples of Teaching Practices (Illinois highlighted)
- Demonstrate knowledge of significant eras, themes, events, and people in the history of Illinois, the United States, and the world.
- Analyze ways in which cultural groups have affected and been affected by U.S. society and ways in which cultural heritage and diversity have influenced historical developments in the United States.
- Analyze the influence of science, technology, economic activity, and religious and philosophical ideas on contemporary societies and societies throughout history.
- Recognize how economic, political, cultural, geographic, and social processes interact to shape patterns of human population, cooperation, and conflict.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how to use historical concepts and themes to analyze events, patterns, and relationships in Illinois, the United States, and the world.
- Identify a wide range of instructional resources and technologies to support the learning of history.
Internet Resources & Links (Significant IL eras, themes, events, and culture)
History of Illinois >>
This source begins with pre-Columbian history and goes to the present. It includes a fairly extensive listing of famous Illinois people plus references to many secondary and a few primary sources. External links are also included.
E-books related to Illinois >>
For instance, look up Morris Birkbeck and read his letters from Illinois in 1818 explaining why he came and what conditions he faced as he settled here. This is just one example of a primary source that gives insight to Illinois’ early settlement. This collection can be accessed in many ways including a search by author.
Encyclopedia of Chicago >>
This is an extensive source for the history of Chicago and its relationship to the rest of the state. The user’s guide may be helpful in getting started. All entries are listed in alphabetical order and they include entries, historical sources, maps, and special features. Visual images may require certain plug-ins to be added to your computer.
State of Illinois Facts >>
This site links to a number of special sites related to Illinois History: Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Capitols, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Illinois Blue Book, Historical Maps Inside Illinois, Illinois Digital Archives, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Museum, and a timeline.
At Home in the Heartland >>
This site is divided into six eras in Illinois history. Each era is further broken down into a time line, maps, people (side by side), objects, clues to the past, and teacher resources. This is probably more information than is needed to prepare for the certification test, but the organization of this site is so good that you can easily pick and choose what would be most helpful.