The Great Chicago Fire of 1871

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 When analyzing a historical event, the first questions that we should ask ourselves are: Who What When Where Why How This lesson will require you to answer those questions plus create hypothesis on how the circumstances could have ended up differently.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Your Product for This Lesson: Each group will present an “If/Then” chart about the events of the Great Chicago Fire. The “If/Then” chart may be created on any presentation program/format that the group chooses. Groups should keep in mind that this is a formal presentation to your class and teacher. Choose your ideas based on those understandings. Groups should reference the product rubric (found on next slide) as you work

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Final Product Rubric – “If/Then” Presentation Category Excellent Very Good Fair Needs Improvement If/Then Concept #1 An excellent connection was created through the If/Then statement A good connection was created through the If/Then statement A fair connection was created through the If/Then statement More thought could have went into the If/Then statement If/Then Concept #2 If/Then Concept #3 Rationale/Proof for Concept #1 Excellent proof was used to support the If/Then statement Good proof was used to support the If/Then statement An attempt was made to support the If/Then statement More thought could have been put into the support for the If/Then statement Rationale/Proof for Concept #2 Rationale/Proof for Concept #3 Quality of Presentation An excellent presentation. It was interesting and well thought out. A good presentation. A good amount of planning went into the preparation of it. A decent presentation. Some thought and preparation were evident. More time could have been spent preparing presentation.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Step One: Your group needs to find out the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How about this event. Use the links on the following slides to conduct your investigation. You may want to fill out a graphic organizer to help keep track of your facts. Most of what you will work with are primary sources – there are links to specific graphic organizers that can help you analyze some of these sources when appropriate.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Click the image above to connect to a You tube video that is an eight minute documentary about the Chicago Fire. This is a great place to start collecting facts!

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 The link on this slide allows you to read an actual newspaper article written in Chicago, right after the fire. Read the description in the box below and then click on the box to hyperlink to the article. In order to maximize your understanding of this source – please fill out the graphic organizer that is linked to the newspaper image below as you read the article. Primary Sources: The Chicago Tribune and the Great Fire Before the earth had cooled from the disastrous fire of 1871, the Chicago Tribune was back in business, printing the news on a donated press. Publisher Joseph Medill not only ran a descriptive account of the fire; he also publicized the city's immediate relief needs. Source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/chicago/filmmore/ps_fire.html

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Analyze the picture below using the graphic organizer linked to the paper/pencil clip art below.            

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Analyze the interactive map linked to the map image below. As you review this source, use the linked organizer to record your observations (see paper/pencil image for link).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Click on the picture to the left. It will link to an authentic song that was written about the Chicago Fire. As you analyze the lyrics, fill the graphic organizer out that is linked to the paper/pencil icon.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Click the hour glass below to link you to a map/ time-line of the events that occurred during the Chicago Fire. Be sure to read the quotes and comments that are made by people who were actually there.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 Now that you have had a chance to review many types of sources it is time to put an “If/Then” chart together. If you would like more information for your chart – feel free to research other sites and sources. Be sure to reference the rubric throughout your planning. Good Luck