Teacher Resources

Teacher Resources

Teacher Workshops
Our experienced educators can provide Project Learning Tree workshops for K-12 teachers that provide a hands-on approach to learning. Project Learning Tree provides “the tools educators need to bring the environment into their classrooms and their students into the environment.” 

Project Learning Tree is an award winning, nationally recognized environmental education program for teachers. Besides learning how to engage students in nature study, the program enhances critical thinking, problem solving, and effective decision making skills. 

There are many reasons why Project Learning Tree Curriculum is superior:

  • Developed by a team of teachers, curriculum specialists, and scientists
  • Stays abreast of the current learning standards and developments in pedagogy
  • Provides multidisciplinary activities in science, math, reading, writing, and the arts
  • Includes a wealth of teacher resources and reproducible student pages
  • Accommodates various grade levels, learning styles, developmental stages, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Project Learning Tree provides “opportunities for place-based learning, inquiry-based local investigations, service learning projects, partnerships with local resource professionals. Facilitates adapting program to meet local needs, thereby raising community support and student motivation.”

Growing Up Wild

New nature-based early childhood program for 3 - 7 year olds.

The curriculum connects young children through developmentally appropriate activities that include cognitive, as well as physical, social, and emotional aspects. The Growing Up Wild curriculum provides various sections for a multidisciplinary approach and flexibility. Some of the sections include a Take Me Outside, Home Connections, Math Connections, Language and Literacy Connections. All these activities promote nature play, scientific inquiry, healthy kids, and creativity. 

In the Grow as you Go activity preschoolers can explore the life cycles of animals and discover how they learn and grow by animal cards, nature exploration, art projects, sings dancing, and acting.

Insect Discovery Box for Preschool Teachers

Introduce your preschoolers to the world of insects with our Insect Discovery Box. The Box includes ideas for activities, as well as insect specimens, puppets, rubber bugs, bug boxes, diagrams, and posters. Preschool teachers can check out the Discovery Box for free for a two week loan period.


If you are interested in checking out the Insect Discovery Box contact Carolyn Wagner at [email protected].

Other Regional Resources

Chicago Wilderness
A regional alliance of over 300 nonprofit and corporate council member organizations that work together to protect local land and water resources to improve the quality of life for living things.

Environmental Education Association of Illinois
Group of concerned citizens who are interested in educating people of all ages to the importance of understanding and protecting the environment which sponsors conferences and workshops.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
The DNR provides education programs and grants for schools.

The following forest preserves provide education programs and resources pertaining to the flora and fauna of land they protect:
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County 
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Forest Preserve District of Kendall County 

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