3rd Grade Chicago Day: Learning local history
The Windy City. The Second City. The City of Big Shoulders. Hog Butcher to the World.
Just 27 miles away from Wheaton Christian Grammar School, Chicago stands as America’s third largest city, a hub for culture and full of unique history. This year, WCGS third-grade teachers introduced a new tradition within their annual Illinois unit: Chicago Day!
Rooted in both community building and Christ-centered identity, Chicago Day was designed to deepen students’ understanding of the city while connecting to their faith. As the
third-grade team shared, “We have always taught a social studies unit on Illinois. However, this year’s new curriculum really emphasizes the uniqueness of Chicago. In connection with our year verse about ‘following and fishing,’ we wanted our students to better understand their community so they can more effectively share the gospel with others.”
At WCGS, education goes beyond the classroom-it is about shaping students into Christ-followers who engage the world with wisdom and compassion. By learning about a city so close to home, students gained a broader perspective of the communities around them. Chicago Day was more than just a day of themed activities, it was an opportunity to see how learning can point outward, equipping students to love and serve their neighbors, and ultimately embody Christ.
The response to this new event was overwhelmingly positive, and Chicago Day will now become an annual tradition! Looking ahead, the teachers hope to expand the experience by incorporating more service opportunities and inviting members of the WCGS community who have connections to Chicago to share their stories.
As for the day itself, the agenda included various stations in classrooms and the Innovation Hub. The 3rd graders were able to play sports, participate in trivia, and, of course, represent Chicago with their favorite jerseys. Teachers, parents, and students all contributed to making the day memorable and exciting. One of the highlights for the teachers was being able to see how “the personal experiences and deep connections allowed students to showcase what they learned with others.”
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