What is an insightful research question on the Chicago fire disaster?

When you ask for an insightful question, you are looking for a response that demonstrates of deep understanding of the topic of the Chicago Fire of 1871. Utilizing a depth of knowledge chart will help to create a challenging question. The teacher would be looking to create a question that demonstrates strategic thinking (level three) or extended thinking (level four). A level three type question could ask for comparisons.

Here is what I am thinking for this type of question:

• Compare and contrast the damage and results of the Chicago Fire of 1871 with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911.


• Compare and contrast the government's response to the Chicago Fire of 1871 with the San Francisco Earthquake of 1989.

Level four questions ask for analysis or to synthesize information. Some solid questions that ask the student to respond in this way are:

• In what ways did the Fire of 1871 have a positive impact on Chicago?


• Find at least three primary sources of the Chicago Fire. How is the information in the accounts presented in a similar fashion?  What differences exist in the accounts?


• Utilizing what you know about municipal government of the late 19th Century, how could the government have acted in a more responsive way to the Chicago Fire of 1871?  How could the disaster have been prevented with a more proactive government approach?