School Programs at a Forest Preserve

My First Visit to the Farm

A costumed guide introduces students to this 1890's farm and the people who care for it. Students learn about farming; explore fields, pastures and buildings; the purposes animals serve on a farm; and discover what makes farm animals different from wild animals. One-hour guided tour for 10 - 30 students. $5 per student.

Academic year
Monday, Thursday & Friday
Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago

Standards Explored
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

• SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.K.6 Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
• SL.1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

Mathematics

• K.CC.5 Counting and Cardinality: Count to Tell the Number of Objects
• K.CC.6 Counting and Cardinality: Compare Numbers

• SS.IS.1.K-2 Inquiry Skills: Constructing Essential Questions
• SS.G.1.K Geography: Human-Environment Interaction
• SS.H.1.K History: Change, Continuity, and Context
• SS.H.3.1 History: Perspectives

NGSS:

• K-ESS2.E Biogeology
• K-ESS3.A Natural Resources
• K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
• K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
• 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
• 1-LS3.B Variation of Traits

Pre-Activity Sheets:

Suggested Reading List (PDF)
Coloring Page (PDF)
Vocabulary List (PDF)

Nature Hike

Students increase their awareness of nature and their interest in the natural world through observation and discussion. Activities and discussion will vary by season and by forest preserve. One-hour guided hike for 10 - 30 students. $5 per student.

Academic year
Monday – Friday

Take a guided nature hike at one of the preserves listed below. Each of these preserves includes school-group friendly amenities including bus parking, picnic areas and public restrooms. If you plan to eat lunch onsite and/or require a picnic shelter reservation, please indicate this on your program request form.

Standards Explored (may vary by season)
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

• SL.K.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

• K.MD.1 Measurement and Data: Describe and Compare Measurable Attributes
• K.MD.2 Measurement and Data: Describe and Compare Measurable Attributes

NGSS:

• 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
• 1-LS1.D Information Processing
• 1-LS3.B Variation of Traits

Loan Box Links:

Field Trip Pack

Sap to Syrup

Students learn the historical importance of maple syrup in the Midwest and try their hands at making syrup the way folks did in the 1890s. 45-minute guided tour for 10-30 students. $5 per student.

March 2 - 31
Monday, Thursday & Friday
Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago

Standards Explored
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

• SL.K.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.1.A Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

NGSS:

• K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
• K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
• 1-LS2.B Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Wildlife Exhibit Hike

Due to construction of the new center, there will be no on-site programs after Jan. 1, 2023. A Willowbrook interpreter takes students on a guided tour of the outdoor wildlife exhibits and discusses the natural history of local wildlife as well as the individual stories of the animals living at the center. Willowbrook’s mission and an overview of how the animals are cared for both in the hospital and as permanent residents are discussed. One-hour guided tour for 10 - 30 students. $5 per student. All Willowbrook indoor facilities are closed to the public.

Academic year
Monday – Friday
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn

Standards Explored
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

• SL.K.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

NGSS:

• K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
• K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
• 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms

Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Birds
Illinois' Wild Mammals
Owls

Willowbrook Adventures

Due to construction of the new center, there will be no on-site programs after Jan. 1, 2023. A Willowbrook interpreter leads students on an adventure and activities exploring how the preserve changes throughout the seasons before concluding with a tour of the resident wildlife that live on Willowbrook's outdoor exhibit trail. One-hour interactive program for 10 - 30 students. $10 per student. At this time, all Willowbrook indoor facilities are closed to the public.

Academic year
Monday – Friday
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn

Standards Explored
Common Core:

ELA/Literacy

• SL.K.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.K.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration
• SL.1.3 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration

NGSS:

• K-ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
• K-LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
• 1-LS1.A Structure and Function
• 1-LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms

Loan Box Links:

Illinois' Birds
Illinois' Wild Mammals
Owls