Illinois Social Studies Resources
Thanks to Dr. Frederick C. Isele for information about the following social studies sites.
Please send any additions to: ICSSDirector@gmail.com).
Please send any additions to: ICSSDirector@gmail.com).
Collaborative Organizations
Illinois Civics Hub
Illinois Civics Hub is your leading resource for information on the required implementation of civics classes in Illinois.
Illinois Civics Hub is your leading resource for information on the required implementation of civics classes in Illinois.
Chicago Sites
Adler Planetarium in Chicago
Contact learn@adlerplanetarium.org or call (312) 322 0302 to discuss your professional development goals and to start planning your customized experience. |
Field Museum in Chicago
Jessica Hankey (School Partnerships and Programs Manager) is the contact to speak with about setting up a teacher workshop. Her direct line is 312-665-7536. You can also email her at educators@fieldmuseum.org You may also want to make use of the Harris Learning Collection - a program through which teachers can borrow artifacts and specimens and bring them into their classroom. The website is harris.fieldmuseum.org |
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Education coordinator and contact for setting up workshops: Jackie Formoso. Her e-mail address is: jformoso@sheddaquarium.org. Her phone number is (312) 692-3165. Workshops on demand Workshops on Demand are designed for up to 25 educators, cost is $250 and includes C&I materials. To register, download the registration form at this page and fax it to 312-663-1472. Reservations must be made three weeks before the date requested. |
Art Institute of ChicagoFor more information on teacher programs, call (312) 857-7199.
Museum Education Programs (312) 443-3680. To contact by e-mail, use the contact form provided. |
Museum of Science and Industry
Contact Pam Barry at 773-753-1393 to set up teacher workshops. Her e-mail address is: Pam.Barry@msichicago.org. Teacher workshops at MSI MSI accepts applications for professional development/teacher workshop programs until Mid-September. The programs are held from Sept-May edinfo@msichicago.org general information: (773) 684-1414 |
The Chicago History Museum
To find out more about workshops, contact Heidi Moisan, school programs manager at 312-799-2152. Heidi develops professional development courses for educators. You can make reservations for educator programs online through the link listed above. |
Chicago Children’s Museum
Information about professional development
Call Adult programs department to find out more about workshops: (312) 464-7743
Use contact form on website (link above) to find out more about available workshops
Information about professional development
Call Adult programs department to find out more about workshops: (312) 464-7743
Use contact form on website (link above) to find out more about available workshops
Japan Information Center of Chicago
The Japan Information Center (JIC) provides members of its staff free of charge to deliver presentations about Japan and Japanese culture to schools and community groups. Our staff can visit area schools or groups, or welcome visitors from anywhere in our ten-state jurisdiction. Please refer to our pamphlet for more information on school visits. If you have any questions or would like to receive detailed information about our presentations, please contact our coordinator. Ms. Emily Toelcke Outreach Coordinator Japan Information Center Consulate General of Japan at Chicago 737 North Michigan Ave, Suite 1000 Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312) 280-0432 Fax: (312) 280-6883 emily.toelcke@cg.mofa.go.jp |
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
Contact Leah Melber, director of student and teacher programs, at 312-742-2064. Her e-mail address is: lmelber@lpzoo.org. Educator Programs at Lincoln Park Zoo. Call 312-742-2056 or email educationprograms@lpzoo.org to learn more about workshops. |
Bronzeville Children’s Museum
(773) 721-9301 to inquire about teacher workshops bronzvlle@aol.com to inquire about teacher workshops When calling the number listed above, you will not reach an operator; only a voice recorder. |
The National Museum of Mexican Art
Educator Workshops Throughout the year, our Education Department offers several four-hour workshops focused on the themes and works of art of our temporary exhibitions. Our Saturday Educator Workshops offer a great opportunity for teachers to learn about different elements of Mexican art, history, and culture. Participating teachers (K-12) receive curriculum materials and resources to implement in their classrooms and integrate into their regular curricula. Workshops are offered on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm at a nominal cost. CPDUs available. To contact the education department about Saturday workshops, call (312) 738-1503 ext. 3842 or e-mail education@nationamuseumofmexicanart.org |
The Dusable Museum of
African American History Please call Sheila Cotton, Manager of Making History Come Alive through the Arts at 773-420-2742 or scotton@dusablemuseum.org Professional development opportunities at Dusable. WORKSHOPS: for teachers, parents, students and administrators and community organizations (YMCA, YWCA, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ETC.) are planned for your school with the principal, vice principal or program coordinators. The workshops can be scheduled for one to three sessions in any discipline, visual arts, dance, theater or storytelling. Most student workshops are offered for 3 classrooms back to back in one day. Teacher and Parent workshops will be offered either in your school or at the DuSable throughout the year. Each workshop session can be arranged from 45 to 90 minutes. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND FULL DAY SEMINARS : our professional development workshops and full day seminars are available throughout the year. Themes include but are not limited to: migration, art and literacy, Bronzeville and special seminars for our changing exhibits and ecology in the Black Diaspora. |
Smart Museum of Art
To register for a teacher workshop, email Lisa Davis lisadavis@uchicago.edu, Manager of Tour and Teacher Initiatives, or call 773.834.1066. The Smart regularly hosts workshops and other programs for art and other teachers interested in integrating aspects of the Museum into their curriculum. Topics generally include teaching with objects, special exhibition themes, and arts integration. |
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Follow link below to find information about current workshops. Please contact Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Dean Bell at dbell@spertus.edu for questions and information about workshops at Spertus. |
Oriental Institute
Workshops and Courses The workshops currently listed were geared as courses and others labeled as workshops were not for teachers, but adults in general. Contact oi-education@uchicago.edu for more information about available courses and workshops. Contact adult education department at (773) 702-9507. |
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Teacher workshops at the Nature Museum. The Nature Museum provides hands-on multidisciplinary workshops and off-site trips that apply toward teacher re-certification, meet Illinois Academic Standards, and are engaging for teachers of all levels! An array of workshops is offered to meet your specific needs. Traditional workshops provide in-depth training, curriculum ideas, tools, and more. Saturday Morning Drop-Ins are a quick and convenient. Plus, we can customize workshops specifically to meet your school's needs. Follow the link above to obtain a registration form and application. Contact teacherworkshops@naturemuseum.org for more information or fax questions to 773-549-0607. |
Intuit
Each year, 20 teachers from 10 Chicago public schools are selected through a careful admissions process to participate in Intuit’s award-winning professional development program. Through the program, teachers interested in incorporating the work of self-taught artists into their classrooms receive training in how to use the art to supplement learning in the subjects of English, history, social studies, visual art, music and computer science. There is no information listed online about application procedures for the professional development program. Interested teachers will need to call 312-243-9088 for current information. intuit@art.org |
Jane Addams Hull House Museum
Contact Lisa Junkin | Education Coordinator for information about future teacher workshop opportunities. (312) 355.5301 ljunkin@uic.edu |
Chicago Architecture Center
Join our community of formal and informal educators and ACED professionals for educational resources and professional development opportunities at the Chicago Architecture Center. Contact CAC’s education department at education@architecture.org for more information about educational opportunities. |
Loyola University Museum of Art
Learn more about teacher programs at LUMA, though there are no teacher workshops referenced. Learn more about adult outreach programs. |
Museum of Contemporary Art
Teacher workshops: Designed to draw connections between school curricula and the museum’s exhibitions and collection, workshops provide teachers with tools to integrate contemporary art and the creative process into their teaching practice. MCA teacher programs are free for Illinois teachers. Participants receive CPDUs. Vouchers for free parking in the MCA garage are provided pending availability. Public transportation is recommended. For more information, please call 312.397.3840, or teacherprograms@mcachicago.org. |
Museum of Broadcast Communications
No educational programs listed but teacher inquiries are accepted at: archives@museum.tv Adam Yenkin is the Archives Clerk on staff. ayenkin@museum.tv |
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Teacher Resources Tel: 630.833.1616 General Information: info@lizzadromuseum.org John Lizzadro: Executive Director jlizzadro@lizzadromuseum.org Dorothy Asher: Museum Director dasher@lizzadromuseum.org Museum Education Services: educator@lizzadromuseum.org |
Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Oak Park, Illinois
Our professional development workshops use Frank Lloyd Wright’s work as the focus for learning and talking about architecture, history, and social change. Learn architectural terms, read a building, ask the questions that get your students excited about architecture. We can provide half-day, full-day, or multi-day sessions. Participants can earn CPDUs. Call the Education Department at 708.725.3829 for fee structure. Recommended for K-8 teachers. educate@gowright.org |
Kohl Children’s Museum
in Glenview, IL Professional development opportunities/workshops Kohl Children’s Museum’s professional development program is designed for teachers, caregivers, parents, and other adults who interact with children ages birth through 8. These are offered both on-site and at the Museum.Each in-service topic is aligned with the Illinois State Learning Standards and NAEYC Early Learning Standards. All involve hands-on exploration and small and whole group discussion.Continuing education credit is available. Contact the Kohl Children’s Museum Education Department at (847) 832‑6871 for fees and further information regarding Professional Development Training Topics or to customize one of your own. |
Aurora Regional Fire MuseumThe Aurora Regional Fire Museum provides educational programs for all ages and occasions. Programs last approximately 45 to 60 minutes depending on audience
and age group and can be scheduled weekdays (Tuesday through Friday), and on some select evenings and weekends. For more information contact: Deborah Davis at: (630) 892-1572 ext. 0 or via email: ddavisarfm@aol.com. |
Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois
Teacher workshops at the Morton Arboretum. 630-719-2468 registrar@mortonarb.org |
Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center seeks to provide the opportunity for all students and educators to learn about the Holocaust and human rights atrocities. These events are not aberrations of history but have implications for the world today. 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077 847.967.4800 |
Downstate Illinois Sites
Lincoln Home in Springfield
Contact via e-mail using form on website contact page Visitor Information Phone (217) 391-3226 Visitor information will transfer you to Laura Dundrum, Chief of Interpretation to speak about workshops. Teacher resources online but no information given about workshops. |
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum provides a variety of resources and programs for educators and students to learn about the life and legacy of President Lincoln and the history of the state of Illinois. See our Upcoming Events, Educators, and Junior Historians pages to learn more. |
Peoria Riverfront Museum
Workshops for adult and children visitors but not for teachers. 309-686-7000 ext. 113 For field trip reservations call 309-863-3013 |
Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in Champaign
Contact Katie@orpheumkids.com to find out more about professional development. |
The Dirksen Congressional Center The Dirksen Center 2815 Broadway Road Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 347-7113 (309) 347-6412 FAX |
The Museum of the Grand Prairie/Champaign County Forest Preserve District
The Museum and Education Department offers content-based workshops for Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU) credit. Please let us know if you are interested in such a workshop and/or would like to be included on our CPDU mailing list. For more information, contact Stacey Clementz at (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org. |
David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
For additional information, contact Site Manager, (309) 828-1084. Educational programs. There is no mention of professional development or workshops for teachers. |
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Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, Illinois
Contact Cahokia at the number and e-mail address below to find out more information about workshops. 618-346-5160 cahokia.mounds@sbcglobal.net 
Garfield Farm Museum
The Garfield Farm Museum does not list specific workshops catered to teachers but that webpage listed below gives a list of current and upcoming seminars and workshops, some of which could be used by a teacher to enhance their lesson plans. info@garfieldfarm.org 630.584-8485 |
Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, IL
Resources for teachers, though no reference to teacher workshops listed. Contact (309) 799-3482 Ext. 222 for more information about Education Programs. 
McLean County Museum
Contact the Museum Education Department at 309-827-0428, or by email at education@mchistory.org, and Museum Staff will work with you to create customized resources or experiences that meet your educational needs. |
Other Illinois Locations
(no information about teacher workshops available)
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540 Phone: (630) 637-8000 |
Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, IL
101 E Beaufort Normal, IL 61761 Phone: (309) 433-3444 Email: museum@normal.org |
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McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum
Vistor Information 376 N. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60601 312.977.0227 info@bridgehousemuseum.org |
National Veterans Art Museum
1801 S.Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL60616 312.326.0270 Dan FitzGerald Programming Coordinator, danfitzgerald@nvam.org |
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Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 S. MICHIGAN AVE CHICAGO, IL 60605 312.663.5554 Email: mocp@colum.edu |
Monticello Railway Museum
Contact Page PO Box 401 992 Iron Horse Place Monticello, IL 61856 (217) 762-9011 (877) 762-9011 info@mrym.org |
Batavia Historical Society
155 Houston Street Batavia, IL. 60510 information@bataviahistoricalsociety.org |
Illinois Railway Museum
Contact Page 815-923-4391 Illinois Railway Museum Post Office Box 427 Union, IL 60180 |
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Chanute Air Museum
Chanute Air Museum 1011 Pacesetter Drive Rantoul, Illinois 61866-3672 217-893-1613 Curator - Mark Hanson curator@aeromuseum.org Education - educator@aeromuseum.org |
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Polish Museum of America
The Polish Museum of America 984 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60642-4101 (773) 384-3352 PMA@PolishMuseumofAmerica.org |
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
15588 History Lane Petersburg, Illinois 62675 217-632-4000 hpa.newsalem@illinois.gov |
Farnsworth House
This facility is not set up for workshops, seminars, etc. (only summer day camps) 815 964-2424 Contact Page |
Donley’s Wild West Town
8512 South Union Road Route 20 & South Union Road Union, Illinois 60180 815-923-9000 Contact form |
Glessner House Museum
1800 S. Prairie Avenue Chicago, IL 60616 312.326.1480 glessnerhouse@sbcglobal.net |
Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540 630-420-6010 |
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Wildlife Prairie State Park
3826 N. Taylor Road Hanna City, IL 61536 309-676-0998 irequest@wildlifeprairiestatepark.org Education Page |
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ISM Dickson Mounds
Illinois State Museum - Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources 10956 N Dickson Mounds Rd Lewistown, IL 61542 Fulton, Region: 3 Natural History T-Sa 10-4 pm. Free. Explore 12,000 years of human experience in Illinois River Valley. Site features archaeological exhibits, unique artifacts, multi-media presentations, picnic grounds, and programs. Dr. Duane Esarey, Director 309/547-3721 309/547-3189 christa.christensen@illinois.gov http://www.museum.state.il.us |
Midwest Museum of Natural History
425 West State Street (Route 64) Sycamore, IL 60178 815.895.9777 Education Page |
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Quad City Botanical Center
Education Director Gary Koeller 309-794-0991 ext 25 edu@qcgardens.com; Education Coordinator Megan Crandall Cooper 309-794-0991 ext 32 edu@qcgardens.com |
Illinois State Museum
Illinois Dept of Natural Resources 502 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62706-5000 Corner of Spring & Edwards Sts Sangamon, Region: 3 T-Sa 10-4 pm, Play Museum W-Sa, 11-4 pm Free admission, donations welcome. Permanent and changing exhibits on Illinois natural and cultural history, anthropology, fine, and history. Children ages 3 - 10 can learn through play what it is like to work at a museum in the hands-on children's Play Museum. Shop features educational games and quality crafts. Extensive Website for the public, research, and education. Educator’s Page bit.ly/ismEducators Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Director 217/782-7386 217/782-0061 lorna.shuman@illinois.gov http://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/ |
Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford
737 North Main St Rockford, IL 61103 815.965.3433 info@burpee.org Student workshops |
Iowa Sites
Des Moines Art Center
Adult workshops available. There are no teacher workshops listed, though, only courses like ceramics, photography, etc. Molly Moser, Studio Programs Assistant via studioartclasses@desmoinesartcenter or 515.271.0306. |
Michigan Sites
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn
Contact Paula Gangopadhyay, Director of Education, at 313.982.6001. Professional development workshops for teachers |
Exhibit Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor
Contact: Education Director Kira Berman 734-647-8574 kiberman@umich.edu for assistance. |
Kelsey Museum of Archaelogy
in Ann Arbor Contact: Lauren Talalay Associate Director & Curator for Academic Outreach and Exhibits talalay@umich.edu 734.647.0441 |
University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor
Contact the education department at 734.647.0522 umma-tours@umich.edu |
Online Resources
Below you'll find links to new and timely social studies-related resources on the C-SPAN Classroom website.
Want your students to view our Lessons and Bell Ringers at home or on their individual devices? Consider creating a generic class account, or use the following shared log-in credentials:
Username: students
Password: C-SPANCLASSROOM
As we begin the new year, we wanted to remind you of our Featured Resources site. Our Featured Resources site contains collections of free C-SPAN Classroom content organized by curriculum, topic or theme. Below you will find examples of some of the collections of resources found on the site.
- Lesson Plans
Examine a variety of topics with C-SPAN videos. - Bell Ringers
Teach Social Studies curricula with related C-SPAN video. - Classroom Deliberations
Engage students on current issues with video clips. - On This Day in History
Understand significant historical events with video clips.
- Constitutional Foundations and Principles of Government
Featuring resources on the founding documents and constitutional principles. - State History
This new site is a collection of state history resources for all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. These resources are organized alphabetically by state. - U.S. History- 1492-1789
Resources organized chronologically from 1492-1789. - U.S. History- 1789-1877
Resources organized chronologically from 1789-1877. - U.S. History- 1877-1945
Resources organized chronologically from 1877-1945. - U.S. History- 1945-Present
Resources organized chronologically from 1945-present. - AP U.S. Government Key Terms
A list of key terms with C-SPAN clips explaining or exemplifying the term. - AP U.S. Government and Politics Units
Resources organized by 2018 redesigned units and enduring understandings. - General Economics and AP Economics Key Terms
Resources relating to general economic principles, economic systems and AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics key terms. - World History
Content organized in reverse-chronological order by centuries and by theme. - Native American History
Resources relating to Native American history. - Comparative Government and AP Comparative Government Terms
Featuring resources with overviews of types of government and examples of how countries around the world implement these governments. - Geography and AP Human Geography
Geography resources organized by the five themes of geography and the seven units found in the AP Human Geography course.
The Digital Public Library of America DPLA brings the wealth of U.S. libraries, archives, and museums to your classroom. It offers many great resources DPLA for educators and students including Primary Source Sets that explore topics in history, literature, and culture, and Online Exhibitions to investigate important stories about the United States through sources and accompanying narratives.
WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources is a cost-free academic Internet directory that is part of the volunteer-run WWW Virtual Library System, with over 2000 carefully selected, annotated links in 34 international affairs categories. It is frequently maintained, receives worldwide use daily, and is designed for teachers, scholars, students, researchers, diplomats, and the interested public, among others.
Online Illinois Resources
Illinois Digital Archives
The Illinois Digital Archives (IDA) was created in 2000, as a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois.
Illinois Digital Archives
The Illinois Digital Archives (IDA) was created in 2000, as a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois.
The Illinois Digital Heritage Hub is a portal to digital primary source materials contributed by archives, historical societies, libraries, and museums from around the state of Illinois, and is a service hub for the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). The IDHH has worked with the DPLA to build the portal to Illinois resources.
Chicago Collections is a membership organization composed of not-for-profit institutions with collections that chronicle the rich history of Chicago. Chicago Collections is committed to preserving and sharing Chicago’s rich history and culture.
Encyclopedia of Chicago
The Encyclopedia of Chicago is a dynamic and unprecedented metropolitan history. Thousands of historical resources-including articles, photos, maps, broadsides and newspapers-related to Chicago's colorful and complex history are at your fingertips.
The Encyclopedia of Chicago is a dynamic and unprecedented metropolitan history. Thousands of historical resources-including articles, photos, maps, broadsides and newspapers-related to Chicago's colorful and complex history are at your fingertips.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln material, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to other aspects of Illinois history. Visit the Library's Collection page to discover the records and materials available in for your research and classroom use.
Illinois Adventure TV Series on PBS
In production since 1987 this award-winning series has become a cornerstone of WTVP's local programming. Shot on location throughout the state, ILLINOIS ADVENTURE shows viewers the many interesting places to visit and things to do just a few hours from home. From fishing on Lake Michigan to searching out tree frogs in the Cache River swamp to visiting long-forgotten towns that are vital parts of Illinois' history, there's something for everyone here.
In production since 1987 this award-winning series has become a cornerstone of WTVP's local programming. Shot on location throughout the state, ILLINOIS ADVENTURE shows viewers the many interesting places to visit and things to do just a few hours from home. From fishing on Lake Michigan to searching out tree frogs in the Cache River swamp to visiting long-forgotten towns that are vital parts of Illinois' history, there's something for everyone here.
Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive
This online visual collection of historic images showcases the Mississippi River region along the Iowa/Illinois border.
This online visual collection of historic images showcases the Mississippi River region along the Iowa/Illinois border.