Skip to navigation Skip to content

IDNR Illinois' Prairies Loan Box

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois' Prairies Loan Box includes resources about pioneers, bison and this once dominant landscape. 

Suggested Grades  Kindergarten– 8
IDNR Resource Trunk P29
Weight  29 lbs.
Dimensions 26" L x 16" W x 14" H

Standards Explored

NGSS
K-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
K-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity
1-LS1-2 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
2-LS2-2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
3-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
4-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
5-PS3-1 Energy
5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS1-4 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
MS-LS1-6 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS4-4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Contents

Binder-General Information

Acknowledgements page
Contents checklist
Contents checklist key
Correlation to learning standards
IDNR Division of Education promo sheet
IDNR lending trunks promo sheets
Online Resources page

Binder-Ecological Information

American bison information page
American bison vs. buffalo information page
Biodiversity of Illinois Video: Supplemental Activities promo page
Conservation in Highly Fragmented Landscapes article
EcoWatch – Prairie Quality Indicators of Illinois cards
Elk information page
Evolution and Origin of the Central Grassland of North America: Climate, Fire, and Mammalian Grazers article
Greater Prairie-chicken information page
Illinois Biodiversity CD-ROM activities page
Illinois Biodiversity Basics promo page
Illinois Inland Sand Areas poster guide
Introduction to Illinois Prairies information page
Landscaping for Wildlife book
Mamíferos de Illinois del pasado activity book
Mammals from Illinois’ Past activity book
Prairie Establishment and Landscaping book
Prairie Fire information page (includes 3 photographs)
Prairie Parklands; An Inventory of the Region’s Resources book
Prairie Primer activity book
Project Bluestem activities list
Project Bluestem Revised Lessons 2017 activities list
The Case of the Greater Prairie-chicken activity*
Track Size Comparison page
Types of Prairies information page
What a Prairie Is and Isn’t board game*

Binder-People of the Prairie Information

Make Your Own Pioneer Bonnet
Make Your Own Pioneer Hat
Los Indígenas Americanos y la Naturaleza en Illinois activity book
Native Americans and Nature in Illinois activity book
Pioneer Clothing
Pioneer Games
Prairie Pages: Early Years of Illinois Agriculture
Prairie Pages: Pioneers
What is It? Activity (includes 20 photographs)

Small Container

Biodiversity of Illinois CD-ROMs Volumes I, II, III
Birdwatching at Midewin brochure
Bison fur sample
Bonnet
Exploring Illinois’ Natural Resources DVD
Fishes and Crayfishes of Midewin brochure
Illinois Biodiversity CD-ROM
Illinois’ Natural Resources Trading Cards Sets 1-5
Illinois Prairies: A Sense of Place DVD
Invasive Plants of Midewin brochure
Last Stand of the Tallgrass Prairie DVD
Listening to the Land DVD
Pocket Naturalist – Grasslands Birds guide
Pocket Naturalist – Illinois Trees & Wildflowers guide
Prairie Restoration DVD
Project Bluestem CD-ROM
Project Bluestem Revised Lessons 2017 CD-ROM
Spider Watching at Midewin brochure
The Case of the Greater Prairie-chicken activity cards
Wildflowers & Grasses of Midewin brochure

Large Container

A Plan for the Recovery of the Greater Prairie-Chicken in Illinois book
A Walk in the Prairie book
Bison chip
Bison horn cap
Bison jaw bone
Climate Atlas of Illinois book
Explore the Grasslands book
Hat
Life in Prairie Land book
Prairie Plants of the Midwest book
Prairie plant ID wheel
Tallgrass Prairie Wildflower: A Falcon Field Guide
The Prairie Builders book
Trundle wheel

Posters

Celebrating Our Native Grasses
Fermilab Prairie Flora and Fauna
Grassland Birds of the Midwest
Illinois Habitats are Homes
Illinois Indians
Illinois’ Natural Divisions
Illinois’ Natural Resources Trading Cards Sets 1 - 5
Illinois Prairie Status
Illinois Prairie Wildflowers
Illinois Prairies coloring sheet
Illinois Roadside Wildflowers
Inland Sand Areas of Illinois
Jewels of the Prairie; Blooming Heights
Jewels of the Prairie; Dry Prairie
Jewels of the Prairie; Mesic Prairie
Jewels of the Prairie; Oak Savanna
Jewels of the Prairie; Wet Prairie
Los Indígenas Americanos y la Naturaleza en Illinois
Mammals from Illinois’ Past
Native Americans and Nature in Illinois
What a Prairie Is and Isn’t game board

*Note: All activity books and worksheets should be copied before use or downloaded at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/publications.