“Myths Obscure Historic Role of Underground Railroad”

Students will separate fact from fiction using primary sources and create evidence support or refute statements about the local Underground Railroad.

1850s

"Passage of 19th Amendment Marked End of Long Suffrage Struggle"

In this lesson students will read articles about the local suffrage movement and practice their persuasive writing

1870s

"Bloomington Rolled up Welcome Mat for Early Chinese Laundrymen"

Students will annotate primary sources, discuss assimilation and prejudices, and attempt to connect these stories to immigration experiences today.

1890s

“Local German Americans told to ‘get right or get out’ during World War I”

In this lesson students will read about and discuss local anti-German sentiment during WWI, including the abolition of German language from McLean County high schools

1910s

"Jazz age dance halls viewed by many as a menace to society"

In this lesson students will read about local dance halls, read song lyrics, listen to music, and make connections between today's popular culture and the 1920s

1920s

"Depression-Era Bloomington Mayor Besieged by Jobseekers"

Students will read real letters sent to Bloomington's Mayor Wellmerling during the Great Depression, and analyze them in groups.

1930s

"Escalation of Vietnam War sparked month of campus unrest"

Students will discuss campus protests (Illinois State, Kent State), investigate the role of social media in protests today, and annotate primary documents.

1970s