The Interior — Social Studies · Sports HistoryGrades K–2
Unit 2 · Our Field
Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.
Every town has places to play. Some are parks. Some are school gyms. Some are fields with tall lights. People in the town paid for them together.
Games need rules too. Some rules are painted lines. Some are printed in books. In 1863, clubs in London wrote rules for football. In 1900, Illinois high schools began the IHSA.
In this unit, you will meet real places and real rule books. You will learn who paid for them and who wrote them. You will see how they help strangers play together.
When it happened
1863
Clubs meet in London and form the Football Association
1865
Chicago names Lincoln Park after Abraham Lincoln
1886
IFAB forms to keep soccer's rule book
1891
James Naismith's class plays basketball in a Springfield gym
1892
The Triangle prints Naismith's thirteen rules
1893
Electric lights fill Chicago's world's fair at night
1900
Illinois high schools form the IHSA
1905
Chicago's South Side opens small parks with field houses
1934
The Chicago Park District forms
1937
First IHSA boys wrestling state champions
1988
Lights go up at Wrigley Field
2022
First IHSA girls wrestling state finals
3
Chapter
Park, Gym, Lights
Place
Big questionWho pays for the parks, gyms and lighted fields where a town plays?
The story
Lights Before the Crowd
Friday lights click on over an empty field before anyone arrives.
It is Friday. The sun goes down behind a high school. The field is empty. Then tall poles click on. The grass turns bright green.
Nobody has come yet. But somebody already paid for this field. The town paid for the grass. The school district paid for the poles and the bulbs.
Soon cars will park. Families will fill the bleachers. They did not each buy a field. They share one field that the whole town paid for.
A place like this is a civic place. Civic means it belongs to the people of a town. Parks and school gyms are civic places too.
Talk about itWho do you think paid for the park or gym closest to your school?
Section 1
Parks for Everyone
3.1
Lincoln Park Gets Its Name
Main ideaChicago turned old city land into Lincoln Park, a park for everyone.
Lincoln Park sits by Lake Michigan in Chicago. Long ago, part of this land was a city cemetery. Chicago moved the graves and made a park.
In 1865, the city named it Lincoln Park. That year, President Abraham Lincoln had died. A is open to everyone in town.
Words to know
public park
land a city keeps open so everyone can use it
Check yourself
1. Whose name did Chicago give the park in 1865?
Why: The city named the park for President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
2. What was part of the land before the park?
Why: Part of the land was Chicago's City Cemetery. The graves were moved.
3. Who may use a public park?
Why: A public park is open to everyone.
3.2
Small Parks With Field Houses
Main ideaIn 1905, Chicago opened small parks with field houses near homes.
Many Chicago children lived in crowded blocks. Big parks were far away. In 1905, the South Side opened small parks close to homes.
Each park had a . It held a gym, showers and meeting rooms. Families could walk there. Later, in 1934, Chicago joined its park groups into one Chicago Park District.
Words to know
field house
a building in a park with a gym and rooms for the neighborhood
park district
a local public group that runs parks and park buildings
Check yourself
1. Why did Chicago build small parks near homes?
Why: Children in crowded blocks lived far from big parks.
2. What is a field house?
Why: A field house held a gym, showers and meeting rooms.
3. When did the Chicago Park District form?
Why: Chicago joined its park groups into one district in 1934.
Section 2
A Gym Under a Roof
3.3
Who Pays for a School Gym
Main ideaA public school gym is paid for with money the whole town shares.
A runs the public schools in a town. People who live there pay taxes. Some of that tax money builds and fixes schools.
A school board votes on how to spend the money. A new gym needs that vote. The gym holds classes by day and games after school.
Words to know
school district
the public group that runs the schools in a town
tax
money people pay to their town or state to pay for shared things
Check yourself
1. Who votes on how a school district spends money?
Why: The school board votes on spending.
2. Where does some money for a school gym come from?
Why: People in town pay taxes. Some of it builds schools.
3. When is a school gym used?
Why: The same room holds classes and after-school games.
3.4
Naismith's Winter Gym
Main ideaBasketball began in a gym in Springfield, Massachusetts, in December 1891.
James Naismith taught at a YMCA school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Winter was cold. His class could not play outside.
In December 1891, he needed an indoor game. He hung two peach baskets in the . His class of eighteen men played the first basketball game.
Words to know
gym
a large indoor room for exercise and games
YMCA
Young Men's Christian Association, a group that ran gyms and classes
Check yourself
1. Where was the first basketball game played?
Why: Naismith's class played in a Springfield gym in 1891.
2. Why did the class need an indoor game?
Why: Winter kept the class indoors.
3. What did Naismith use as goals?
Why: He hung two peach baskets in the gym.
Section 3
Lights After Dark
3.5
A Fair Full of Lights
Main ideaChicago's 1893 world's fair showed how electric lights could fill a place at night.
In 1893, Chicago held a giant fair. It was called the World’s Columbian Exposition. Millions of people came.
At night, thousands of lit the fair buildings. People could stay after dark. Later, towns used electric lights on fields too.
Words to know
electric light
a lamp that glows using electricity
Check yourself
1. What city held the 1893 fair?
Why: The World's Columbian Exposition was in Chicago.
2. What did the lights let people do?
Why: Electric lights let crowds stay after dark.
3. Where did towns later put electric lights?
Why: Later, towns lit fields so games could go on after dark.
3.6
Wrigley Field Gets Lights
Main ideaWrigley Field in Chicago added lights in 1988, so the Cubs could play at night.
Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs. For many years, it had no lights. Every Cubs home game was in daytime.
In 1988, lights went up at Wrigley Field. It was the last big-league ballpark to get them. Now fans could come after work or school.
Words to know
ballpark
a place built for baseball games, with a field and seats
Check yourself
1. When did Wrigley Field get lights?
Why: Lights went up at Wrigley Field in 1988.
2. Which team plays at Wrigley Field?
Why: Wrigley Field is the Cubs' home.
3. Before 1988, Cubs home games were
Why: With no lights, every home game was in daytime.
Chapter review
Park, Gym, Lights
0 / 6
1. What is a civic place?
Why: Civic places belong to the people of a town.
2. Lincoln Park got its name in
Why: Chicago named the park for Lincoln in 1865.
3. What did a 1905 field house hold?
Why: Field houses gave neighborhoods a gym and rooms.
4. James Naismith made basketball in
Why: He made the game in December 1891.
5. The 1893 Chicago fair is known for
Why: Thousands of electric lights lit the fair at night.
6. A school gym is paid for mostly by
Why: Public school buildings are paid for with shared tax money.
Send it to your teacher
4
Chapter
A Rule You Can Say
Place
Big questionHow do written rules and marks on the ground let strangers play one game?
The story
Two Classes, One Line
Two children from different classes meet at a painted line and both know what it means.
It is recess. Two classes come out of two doors. They do not know each other. They all walk to the same white line on the blacktop.
Maya is in first grade. Leo is in second grade. They have never met before today. Both of them stop at the line. Both of them wait.
Nobody had to explain it. A grown-up painted the line long ago, before either child came. The paint says wait here to everyone who sees it.
Sports grew the same way. People wrote rules down and marked the ground. Then players from far apart could share one game.
Talk about itWhat lines or marks are painted on your playground? What does each one tell you?
Section 1
Rules on Paper
4.1
Flags at the Corners
Main ideaThe first Football Association rules in 1863 marked the field with flags.
In 1863, a group in England wrote rules for football. We call that game soccer. Rule one was about the ground.
The ground could be up to 200 yards long. It could be up to 100 yards wide. marked where it ended. Anyone could see the edges.
Words to know
flag
a cloth on a pole; in 1863 flags marked the edges of a football ground
Check yourself
1. What marked the edges of the ground in 1863?
Why: The 1863 rules said flags mark the length and width.
2. How long could the 1863 ground be?
Why: Rule one set the longest ground at 200 yards.
3. In the United States we call this game
Why: Association football is called soccer in the United States.
4.2
Thirteen Rules on a Wall
Main ideaNaismith wrote thirteen short rules for basketball and posted them in the gym.
James Naismith wrote thirteen for his new game. He typed them up. The rules were pinned on the gym wall.
In January 1892, the school paper printed them. It was called The Triangle. Now people far away could read the rules too.
Words to know
rule
a sentence that tells how a game is shared
Check yourself
1. How many rules did Naismith first write?
Why: Naismith wrote thirteen rules.
2. Where were the rules printed in January 1892?
Why: The Triangle, the school paper, printed the rules.
3. Why did printing the rules matter?
Why: Printed rules could travel to other places.
Section 2
One Book for Soccer
4.3
A Meeting in a Tavern
Main ideaOn 26 October 1863, clubs met in London and began the Football Association.
Long ago, English towns played football in different ways. One school allowed carrying the ball. Another did not.
On 26 October 1863, club leaders met at the Freemasons’ Tavern in London. They started the . In December 1863, it agreed on one set of rules.
Words to know
Football Association
the group started in London in 1863 to write shared football rules
club
a group of people who play a sport together
Check yourself
1. Where did the clubs meet in 1863?
Why: They met at the Freemasons' Tavern in London.
2. What was the problem before 1863?
Why: Each school and town had its own way to play.
3. When did the first meeting happen?
Why: The first meeting was on 26 October 1863.
4.4
A Board Keeps the Book
Main ideaSince 1886, a board called IFAB has kept soccer's rule book.
England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland each had football groups. In 1886, they formed a board to share one rule book. It is called .
IFAB still writes the . Law 5 is about the referee. In 1891, the rules put the referee on the field.
Words to know
IFAB
the International Football Association Board, which writes soccer's rules
Laws of the Game
the rule book for soccer around the world
referee
the person who makes sure the rules are followed in a game
Check yourself
1. What does IFAB write?
Why: IFAB writes soccer's Laws of the Game.
2. When was IFAB formed?
Why: IFAB was formed in 1886.
3. Law 5 is about
Why: Law 5 of the Laws of the Game is about the referee.
Section 3
Rules for Illinois Schools
4.5
Schools Join Together
Main ideaSince 1900, the IHSA has written rules that Illinois high schools share.
In 1900, Illinois high schools formed the . That stands for Illinois High School Association. Schools join it by choice.
Member schools agree to its . The by-laws say who may play and how state contests run. A school in Rockford and one in Cairo follow the same book.
Words to know
IHSA
the Illinois High School Association, formed in 1900
by-laws
the written rules a group's members agree to follow
Check yourself
1. What does IHSA stand for?
Why: IHSA means Illinois High School Association.
2. When was the IHSA formed?
Why: Illinois high schools formed the IHSA in 1900.
3. What do the by-laws tell schools?
Why: The by-laws cover who may play and how state series run.
4.6
Wrestling Opens a Door
Main ideaIHSA boys wrestling began in 1937; girls got their own state finals in 2022.
The IHSA crowned its first boys wrestling state champions in 1937. For many years, there was no girls state series.
More and more girls joined wrestling teams. The IHSA added a girls wrestling series. The first girls were held in 2022.
Words to know
state finals
the last contests of the year, where state champions are decided
Check yourself
1. When were the first IHSA girls wrestling state finals?
Why: The first girls state finals came in 2022, in the 2021–22 season.
2. When did IHSA boys wrestling crown its first champions?
Why: The first boys wrestling champions were crowned in 1937.
3. Why did the IHSA add girls wrestling?
Why: Girls joined teams, and the IHSA added their own series.
Chapter review
A Rule You Can Say
0 / 6
1. A painted line on a playground helps
Why: Everyone who sees the line knows what it means.
2. In 1863, the edges of a football ground were marked with
Why: The 1863 rules used flags.
3. The Football Association began in
Why: Clubs met at the Freemasons' Tavern in London.
4. Naismith's rules were printed in
Why: The school paper, The Triangle, printed them in January 1892.
5. Who keeps soccer's Laws of the Game today?
Why: IFAB has kept the Laws since 1886.
6. Illinois high schools share rules through
Why: The IHSA by-laws are shared by member schools.
Send it to your teacher
★
Unit wrap-up
Our Field
Twelve words, twelve meanings
0 / 8
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.
Words
Meanings
Unit test
Fifteen questions across the unit
0 / 10
1. Why did Chicago name Lincoln Park in 1865?
Why: The park was named for President Lincoln in 1865.
2. A field house in a Chicago park held
Why: Field houses gave neighborhoods a gym, showers and rooms.
3. Who votes on how school tax money is spent?
Why: A school board votes on the district's spending.
4. Basketball began in 1891 because
Why: Naismith needed an indoor game for a cold winter.
5. What lit Chicago's 1893 world's fair at night?
Why: Thousands of electric lights lit the fair.
6. Wrigley Field got lights in
Why: Lights went up at Wrigley Field in 1988.
7. The Football Association first met on
Why: Clubs met at the Freemasons' Tavern on 26 October 1863.
8. IFAB was formed in
Why: IFAB formed in 1886 to keep one rule book.
9. The first IHSA girls wrestling state finals were in
Why: The first girls state finals came in 2022.
10. How did Naismith's rules reach people far away?
Why: The school paper, The Triangle, printed them in January 1892.
Send it to your teacher
Spiral review
Five questions from earlier units
0 / 5
1. (Unit 1) One outdoor lap in the inside lane is
Why: A standard outdoor track is 400 meters around.
2. (Unit 1) The IHSA began in
Why: The Illinois High School Association began in 1900.
3. (Unit 1) An NHL rink is
Why: An NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide.
4. (Unit 1) The Football Association began in
Why: London clubs formed it in 1863.
5. (Unit 1) Basketball began in
Why: Naismith made the game for a Springfield gym in 1891.
Send it to your teacher
Write it
Pick one place and one rule book from this unit. Who can use the place? Who wrote the rules? Use one date for each.
Name the place, like Lincoln Park or Wrigley Field.
Name the rule book, like the Laws of the Game or the IHSA by-laws.
Write one date for each.
Tell who each one helps.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.
Practice rooms
Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.
Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.
Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.
Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.
