Third Grade Explores Chicago at Morning Ex

Third grade students shared all they learned about the city they call home at Morning Ex this week. Split into six groups, the entire grade shared facts and observations about their individual topics, showed off art projects they made and offered photos and videos from field trips focusing on their area of exploration.

The first group discussed the importance of parks in providing necessary green space for citizens. Having traveled to Maggie Daley Park, the Garden of the Phoenix and Ping Tom Park, they shared what makes each place unique. The students also showed their personal designs of parks, which included fun amenities such as baseball fields and playground equipment. 

The next group hopped on a Water Taxi to tell about the various waterways around the city, with a specific emphasis on Chicago’s many bridges. The group actually went to the McCormick Bridgehouse Museum and applied what they learned when building their own bridges using popsicle sticks. 

The discussion of bridges tied into the architecture group’s presentation, as they discussed the city’s famous buildings. This group visited architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill to learn more about the construction of a building before creating their own structures back at school. 

The group discussing museums made brochures for the various institutions across the city and revealed wha tthey learned from the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum, followed by the group who learned about Chicago food offering their reviews of Maxwell Street Polish sausages and the deep-dish pizzas they made with Chef Zac.

The Morning Ex ended with a dance party led by the group who learned about Chicago arts and culture. After discussing murals at the Wabash Arts Corridor and the Art Institute of Chicago, they displayed the mural they painted together. They then discussed jazz, blues and house music as the whole grade danced it out in the end. 

Learning about Chicago helps 3rd grade students understand their role as citizens in the city and offers them the opportunity to appreciate the urban landscape around them. Thank you to the entire 3rd grade for their share!