Fire! Fire! The Legacy of the Great Chicago Fire
School: Polaris Charter Academy
City/State: Chicago, IL
Grade(s): 3, 4
Format(s): Magazine: Historical
Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Project Overview
This magazine was created by third and fourth graders at Polaris Charter Academy in Chicago, Illinois.
Students worked together with each other and with experts to study the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. They researched and conducted field work before they wrote and helped illustrate the 19 page magazine. Included are articles about the fire and its aftermath, as well as more general articles about how to study historical events, why studying history is important, and information about how kids should react in case of a fire or other natural disaster.
How This Project Can Be Useful
- Allows students to focus on a major event in local history
- Highlights student collaboration and creativity – working collaboratively on research, having individual tasks and creating a final product that is the work of all students