Exploring the History of IL and MI Canal
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Provided by: Illinois Department of Natural Resources|Published on: May 1, 2025
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson plan allows students and teachers of Illinois to make a personal connection to the Illinois and Michigan Canal through a research project.
- Students will research an important individual in the history of the Illinois and Michigan Canal to understand their impact on the creation of the canal and how it shaped the lives of Illinoisans living near the canal.
Subjects: History, Geography
Authors: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Region: North IL
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Background information that teachers may want to share with students before diving into the lesson is included.
- Several website resources are listed for students to use during the research portion of the lesson.
Prerequisites
- Students should have been exposed to research projects and how to go about finding information on an assigned topic.
- Teachers should have enough copies of the "Student Activity Page" to pass out to students. The teacher should have an idea of which historian will be assigned to which student(s) and if the students will be completing the project independently or in a group setting.
- Teachers should post the included resource websites in their Google Classroom or whatever platform their district uses so students have easy access to the website resources. Teachers should check with their technology department to make sure none of the websites are blocked before sharing with students.
- Some of the website links included for research seem to be broken or moved. Teachers should check links each year before assigning the project and find new research avenues if needed.
- If teachers wish to complete the extension activity regarding bringing in a local historian or a water district engineer, they should seek guidance from their district on protocols for bringing in guest speakers.
- There is no rubric included for an oral or written presentation. Teachers may want to create a rubric beforehand to share with students so expectations are clearly defined before beginning the project.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers may want to give students different options in terms of presenting their research projects. For example, students may create a slide presentation and share orally. Students may also be given an option to create a video to share the information they gathered. Teachers can use the resources available to their students to decide which creative outlets to include as options for his/her students.
- Teachers may want to expand the research project and also have students research how climate change has affected the Illinois and Michigan Canal. For example, have water levels significantly changed over time due to temperature changes?
- Teachers may want to consider adding standards related to the Fine Arts when assessing students. Adding artistic elements to the project through means of presentation, such as participating in dramatic role play, drawing, creating a musical composition about their individual, etc., would allow students to explore their artistic ability.
This lesson allows students to learn about the history of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, its development, competition, and challenges, including individuals who contributed to making the canal project a reality. The Canal has served as a better and cheaper alternative transportation mode for conveying goods, services, and passengers. This resource has passed our science review and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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