Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce

Building great curriculum from the ground up

Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce

Building great curriculum from the ground up

Our Mission & Vision

CGC Mission Statement: T The Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce (CGCT) is working to revolutionize the traditional educational model of classroom learning by infusing the curriculum with local and relevant content from students lives-- through their families, cultures, histories, arts, communities, and experiences. As a locally- based national clearinghouse, the CGCT seeks to bring students, parents, educators, and elders to the table to compile,publish, and advocate for these culturally relevant materials in our schools (grades K-16). CGC Vision Statement: T Fueled by community-crafted curriculum, and with an emphasis on local struggles, students and teachers engage in critical analysis and action, the arts, community building, and youth-led change in Chicago. With this critical reshaping of curriculum, the Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce envisions a day where every student is excited about learning, motivated to complete their formal studies, active in their intellectual growth, and invested in, with their families and communities, a lifelong commitment to social justice. We see the construction and compilation of high quality curriculum, from the ground up, speaking to student, familial, and community needs, realities, and hopes. We see every school in Chicago embracing grassroots content and curriculum, emphasizing the accurate histories, contributions, experiences, values, and struggles of those traditionally marginalized from status quo mainstream curricula.

CGC Project Tracks T

Co-Authoring & Publishing
Help create A Peoples Chicago: Our Stories of Change and Struggle. 3rd-12th grade vertically aligned curriculum set within a global history context. Co-author an actionbased, interdisciplinary, skills-driven, and college preparatory curriculum with a focus on Chicago hoods! All
contributions welcome!

Create a Clearinghouse
Educators across the Chi are uploading high quality curriculum, projects, activities, etc. with visions of covering all subject areas, topics, grades, skill-levels, and uses. Contribute your work today and build a Chicago clearinghouse of high quality classroom and popular education materials. Share across the sky!

Grassroots Archives
Imagine a website with historic and current documents, photographs, videos, timelines, student work, letters, and more. Read, download, and use right away! Upload a piece youve come across and help us build a digital archival library for everyone. The website is coming soon!

Compiling Key Resources

Our website will become a grassroots resource center. You can access annotated bibliography lists for all sorts of resources and links. Youll nd our choices of helpful websites, books, other publications, and more. Share your favorites readings, websites, resources, eld trips, speakers, other media!

Chicago Grassroots Curriculum Taskforce

Building great curriculum from the ground up

CGC Community Office & Resource Center T

Grassroots Resource Collection:
*Over 1000 titles of essential social science, history, and current events titles covering local, national and global topics and struggles *500+ educational materials on literacy, cultural relevancy, critical educational issues, education history, philosophy of education, math and science integration, brain-based learning, grassroots curricular guides, instructional guides, high quality assessments and more *Over 250 high quality childrens books and young adult literature including excellent historical ction, non-ction, and culturally relevant titles *Growing collection of Chicago-based primary sources including on the Young Lords, Black Panthers, Keep Strong magazine, Harold Washingtons administration, Rudy Lozano, Parent Equalizers of Chicago, the Heart of Uptown Coalition, Chi Town Low Down newspaper, and a pop-up library from the Chicago Underground Library *Growing collection of grassroots social justice publications (magazines, pamphlets, newspapers, brochures) from around nation and world including Southern African, Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and much more *Digital les of extensive high school curriculum in U.S. History along with Social Justice 101, World Studies, Intercultural Studies, Mass Media, Sociology, and Environmental Science. *Over 100 excellent social justice, historical, and current DVD titles, along with scores of high quality VHS titles, audio tapes, and records

Other Uses of the CGC Resource Center: T *Conference room space for about 10 people with a at screen and wi- for skyping, power point, and video presentation capabilities *Print, scan, fax capabilities *Art table with supplies *Computer (Mac) station
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Call for Curriculum!

Were in the process of creating three units of study ranging from primary to high school grades and wed like you to contribute! You DO NOT have to be a teacher or educator to contribute. This curriculum is based on many sources, mediums, and creative voices. Please review the three unit lists. You may have something sitting in your home or office right now that will fit well. Thanks!

Urban Renewal or Urban Removal? Chicago Land Grabs & Community Struggle (8 -12 gr.) SUBMISSION DEADLINE: AUG. 15, 2011 *Current or historical community
development plans & TIF expenditure reports *Original photos, artwork, images of sculptures, and other visuals *Articles, studies, summaries, papers, poetry, lyrics, etc. *Books (both non-ction and ction) focused on Chicago and land struggles *Primary sources such as local pamphlets, leaets, brochures, zines, etc. *Maps, charts, graphs, mathematical representations, statistical data, etc. *Videos (e.g., original footage, on Youtube and /or other documentaries)

Education for What? Chicago School & Education Struggles Past, Present, and Future (8 -12 gr.) SUBMISSION DEADLINE: SEP. 30, 2011 *Personal stories of being in Chicago
schools as student, teacher, parent, etc. *Materials on the history of schools and education in Chicago and the U.S. *Older school curricular materials that may contain stereotypes or other inaccuracies *Current or recent articles, reports, summaries, reports, visuals, videos, etc. on topic *Anything highlighting peoples struggles to correct systemic educational inequities / injustices

From Africa to Chicago: Stories of Migration, Culture, and Survival (Primary grades) SUBMISSION DEADLINE: DEC. 1, 2011 *Childrens books and other materials
on Ancient cultures *Local American Indian materials both pre-Columbian and more recent *Materials on capitalism, materialism, migrations, cultural contributions *Resources on multicultural scientic and mathematical discoveries *Lesson plans on geography and migratory patterns *Images, videos, music, lyrics, poetry, photos, and other visuals on topic

Please submit materials digitally by email or mail, or we can pick materials up from you. All original materials will be cited and returned upon request.

Contact:
773-275-CGC (2428) T 4554 N Broadway, ste. 326 Chicago, IL 60640

chicagotaskforce@gmail.com
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