“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Our “Three ‘E’ Approach”
We adhere to a highly effective teaching philosophy following Benjamin Franklin's wise and timeless advice. With our “THREE ‘E’ APPROACH,” we seek first and foremost to engage students: without engagement, there is no hope for learning.
Learning happens on our tours in a fun, lively way, challenging students to use their own perspectives, contexts, and imagination to enrich their understanding of (and participation in) the world around them. Students leave our tours with an eagerness to share with each other what they’ve learned, and our tours for grade school through college-age students are structured in a way so as to encourage them to learn from each other after the tour. We firmly believe that we learn better as students when we are tasked with teaching others what we’ve learned, and our tours reflect that!
ENGAGE…
The tour guides at Inside Chicago Walking Tours speak to each of the students, directly challenging them and inviting them to develop a curiosity about what they see around them. Tours feature:
Enlightening stories that fascinate and appeal to kids & teens
Exciting, fun facts and figures that spark students’ curiosity
Appealing, age-appropriate presentation of information
Instructive and interactive stories and tidbits
Allotted time for “questions and answers” with their guide
EDUCATE…
What students learn on our tours will enrich their appreciation for many other subjects, including math, science, history, and art. An experienced teacher, Hillary creates experiences that teach “beyond the tour,” fostering a deeper understanding of what students encounter every day. Students will:
Be introduced to several major architectural styles
Be acquainted with famous Chicago architects
Marvel at different building structures and designs
Appreciate the historical context for architects’ work
ENTERTAIN…
Our guides have backgrounds in comedy and theater, and they excel at presenting information in a fun way: they quickly and easily gauge students’ mood and interests, and keep the learning process exciting. Students will:
Learn facts and stories in a memorable, exciting way
Use their imaginations to look through different eyes
Join in a collective and fun group learning experience
Enjoy finding their own favorite parts of the city they see
Be encouraged to “follow the fun” in learning!
