Early Learners

Introduce pre-K through third-grade students to science and social studies through play and exploration.

Give your students a head start

Engage early learners with resources about plants and animals, including dinosaurs. Our lesson plans help you prepare your next classroom unit, and our in-museum activities can enhance your field trip to the museum.

Explore the museum with your students

Guide your class in their journey through the museum.

  • What Do Animals Eat? | Exploring the Field Guide

    Investigate the relationship between an animal and its environment by identifying possible food sources in each habitat.
    Activity|Grades PK-2

  • Pre-K Weather Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

    Observe and record weather to build a common understanding of observable weather conditions in the fall in Chicago. Then make recommendations about how SUE should prepare to play outside.
    Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

  • Diversity of Life | Exploring the Field Guide

    Observe animal dioramas to compare and contrast organisms and explore the diversity of life.
    Activity|Grades PK-2
  • Crown Family PlayLab
    Exhibition

    • Early Learner Resources

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      Showing 17 resources

      • Bird Calls and Songs | PlayLab at Home

        Listen to different songs or calls made by local Illinois birds.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • What do you Hear? | PlayLab at Home

        Find a listening spot to hear the world around you and make a sound map.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • Herbarium Sheets | PlayLab at Home

        Learn about scientists who study plants and create your own herbarium sheet.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • 3D Model: Tyrannosaurus rex | Dinosaur Toolkit

        Interact with this 3D model to find out what we can learn about SUE the T. rex's life by looking at its fossils, then test your knowledge
        Interactive or App|Grades PK-12

      • 3D Model: Cryolophosaurus Skull | Dinosaur Toolkit

        Use this 3D model to see how scientists reconstruct animals like Cryolophosaurus from the fossil record.
        Interactive or App|Grades PK-12

      • 3D Model: Glacialisaurus Foot | Dinosaur Toolkit

        Learn how the first giant dinosaurs like Glacialisaurus moved by exploring this 3D model.
        Interactive or App|Grades PK-12

      • Mapping and Monarchs Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Learn how to analyze and interpret maps by studying monarch butterfly migration.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • Animal Survival Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Act as consultants to the City of Chicago and assess their relocation plan for urban coyotes.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-5

      • Kindergarten Weather Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Listen to the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and draw comparisons between weather forecasting and responses in Chicago and the fictional town of Chewandswallow.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • Pre-K Weather Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Observe and record weather to build a common understanding of observable weather conditions in the fall in Chicago. Then make recommendations about how SUE should prepare to play outside.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • The Night Sky Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Use night sky patterns found in folktales from around the world to explore observable patterns of the moon and stars.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • Structure Function Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Design a shoe appropriate for the icy, wet, and cold conditions of Antarctica using different types of bird feet as inspiration.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • Pollination Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

        Interact with various models to explore the structures of plants and animals related to the process of pollination.
        Lesson Plan|Grades PK-2

      • Diversity of Life | Exploring the Field Guide

        Observe animal dioramas to compare and contrast organisms and explore the diversity of life.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • Families Across Place and Time | Exploring the Field Guide

        Explore similarities and differences between families across different geographic locations and time periods.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • What Do Animals Eat? | Exploring the Field Guide

        Investigate the relationship between an animal and its environment by identifying possible food sources in each habitat.
        Activity|Grades PK-2

      • Monarchs Legend Story and Coloring Book

        Read The Legend of the Parákata or color your own version of the story!
        Interactive or App|Grades PK-5

      Field For All

      Field For All is a free app designed for young visitors with autism and disabilities. The app features exhibition previews, customizable schedules, and a sensory-friendly museum map. Educators and chaperones use this app to support learners with autism and disabilities during their visit to the museum.

      Download on the App Store

      Download on Google Play

      FREE FOR EDUCATORS

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