Chicago Learning Collaborative
About the Program
The Chicago Learning Collaborative (CLC) is a Museum education initiative that provides Chicago Public Schools students in 2nd through 4th grades and their teachers with meaningful learning experiences that are centered on Chicago history and incorporate diverse narratives and perspectives.
The CLC is free to participating classrooms. Teacher professional learning, student classroom workshops and museum visits are designed to be relevant, accessible, and culturally responsive. Teachers have a choice of history resources and artist-led workshops to best fit their learning goals.
Program content highlights the value of local communities and connects history with the present, demonstrating the students’ power to shape their future. CLC experiences are grounded on the idea that history is complex, diverse, and dynamic, and the future is yet to be written.
Our Goal
Preparing teachers to connect Chicago’s past to their students’ present and future through inquiry, artifact exploration, and arts engagement.
Our Approach
The Chicago Learning Collaborative is designed not only to support student learning, but also to invest in teachers through a unique three-year professional learning pathway.
Gain
Social Studies Resources for Grades 2‒4 that are:
- Literacy-based
- Infused with the Museum’s collections
- CPS Skyline and Illinois State Learning Standards aligned
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) Chicago history articles & activities for students
Three Year Professional Development Pathway
- In Year 1:
- Earn up to 10 ISBE PD hours
- Participate in a learning cohort made up of CPS teachers
- Receive free artist-facilitated classroom workshops connected to CLC Learning Resources—all supplies included!
- Free bus transportation for Chicago History Museum field trips to explore exhibitions and analyze historical sources and artifacts using a Gallery Scavenger Hunt and Hands-On Artifact Encounters
- Access for teachers, students, and families to open house-style Family Day at the Museum—includes free bus transportation, gallery activities, music, prizes, and showcase student learning through a pop-up display of their art projects
- $150 teacher stipend for participation
- Additional programming and mentorship opportunities in Years 2 & 3
Why Participate?
The Chicago Learning Collaborative is grounded in the belief that students learn best when curriculum reflects their identities, communities, and lived experiences. By connecting classroom learning to Chicago’s history and diverse communities, the program helps students develop curiosity, empathy, historical understanding, connections to their communities, and a lifelong appreciation for civic engagement.
Want to Know More?
The CLC recruits new teachers every fall. Please complete this short interest form if you would like us to reach out in the fall regarding the application process.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Noah Kelly, Chicago Learning Collaborative coordinator, at [email protected] or (312) 799-2222.
This program is made possible in part thanks to the Dr. Scholl Foundation, the Segal Family Foundation, and the Polk Bros. Foundation.
For Current CLC Teachers
Click here to access the password protected resource pages. Reach out to Noah Kelly if you need a reminder for the password.