Chicago Housing Styles

Explore 5 important types of housing that historically helped Chicago grow, and color them to make them your own.

• Chicago Bungalow
• Courtyard Apartments
• High-Rise
• Two-flat
• Workers Cottage

Anatomy of a Chicago Bungalow

Did you know that Chicago Bungalows share a set of common features? We call this their “anatomy,” or, the elements you can look for when deciding if a home is a bungalow. Use these activity sheets to explore this iconic Chicago home type.

• Anatomy of a Bungalow Collage Instructions
• Chicago Bungalow Anatomy Guide
• Chicago Bungalow House Elements

Schoolyards to Skylines

Schoolyards to Skylines was written in 2002 as a way for K-8 classrooms to use architecture and Chicago's built environment as tools for teaching social sciences, science, mathematics, language arts, and fine arts. Many of its activity-rich lessons are great for at home exploration as well! Check out these selections:

Since the release of Schoolyards to Skylines, learning standards in the state of Illinois have evolved. For more information, please see the state’s updated standards.

Social Studies

• The Great Chicago Fire (upper elementary) How did the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871 change the way people designed and constructed buildings in the city?
• Immigrant Architecture (upper elementary) How did architecture constructed for immigrants to Chicago help remind them of buildings in their homeland?

Science & Math

• Bodies and Buildings (lower elementary) How can my body be compared to a building?
• Shapes in Architecture (lower elementary) What shapes can we find in buildings throughout our neighborhood?
• Shadows (lower elementary) How does the sun change the shadow of a building throughout the day?
• Skyscraper Structures (upper elementary) How do skyscrapers stand up?
• Nature’s Impact on Buildings (upper elementary) How do humans, weather elements, and other living things impact buildings over time?

Language Arts

• Changes Over Time (lower elementary) What is changing or staying the same outside our windows?
• Building Material Textures (lower elementary) How can we describe the way building materials feel?
• Family Homes and Histories (lower elementary) In what ways is my home an important part of my family’s history?
• Famous Chicago Architects (upper elementary) How can reading about architects give us clues about their work?
• Skyscraper Poem (middle school) How did Carl Sandburg capture the spirit of a skyscraper in a poem?

Fine Arts

• Drawing with Words (lower elementary) What nouns and adjectives can be used to describe and illustrate a building?
• Wearing Buildings (upper elementary) Is it possible to wear a building?
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Windows (upper elementary) How did Frank Lloyd Wright combine math and art to create his stained and leaded glass windows?