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.
  • 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.
  • Diversity of Life | Exploring the Field Guide

    Observe animal dioramas to compare and contrast organisms and explore the diversity of life.

Early Learner Resources

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    Showing 35 resources

    • 3D Model: Cryolophosaurus Skull | Dinosaur Toolkit

      Use this 3D model to see how scientists reconstruct animals like Cryolophosaurus from the fossil record.

    • 3D Model: Glacialisaurus Foot | Dinosaur Toolkit

      Learn how the first giant dinosaurs like Glacialisaurus moved by exploring this 3D model.

    • 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

    • Animal Survival Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

      Act as consultants to the City of Chicago and assess their relocation plan for urban coyotes.

    • Basket Making Demonstration with Lorene Sisquoc

      Watch Lorene Sisquoc teaching and weaving a basket at the Field Museum opening of Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories.

    • Basket Making Discussion & Demo: Lorene Sisquoc and Kelly Church

      Listen to and watch Lorene Sisquoc and Kelly Church discuss basket weaving and oral traditions.

    • Bird Calls and Songs | PlayLab at Home

      Listen to different songs or calls made by local Illinois birds.

    • Chef Jessica Pamonicutt Discusses Cooking and Fry Bread

      Listen to and watch Chef Jessica discuss her career as a chef and fry bread.

    • Diversity of Life | Exploring the Field Guide

      Observe animal dioramas to compare and contrast organisms and explore the diversity of life.

    • Families Across Place and Time | Exploring the Field Guide

      Explore similarities and differences between families across different geographic locations and time periods.

    • Herbarium Sheets | PlayLab at Home

      Learn about scientists who study plants and create your own herbarium sheet.

    • Jason Wesaw Speaks About his Art

      Listen to and watch Native Truths artist Jason Wesaw, a member of the Potawatomi Nation. His art practice spans many mediums including ceramics, textiles and works on paper.

    • Karen Ann Hoffman- Native People are Still Here

      Listen to Karen talk about the impact the exhibit has on reminding everyone that Native people are still here.

    • Karen Ann Hoffman on Art

       Listen to Karen talk about storytelling and stories.

    • Karen Ann Hoffman on Claiming Space

      Listen to Karen talk about the importance and impact of Native work taking up space.

    • Karen Ann Hoffman on Stories

      Listen to Karen talk about storytelling and stories.

    • 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.

    • Making Fry Bread with Chef Jessica Pamonicutt

      Watch Chef Jessica share how she makes fry bread.

    • Mapping and Monarchs Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

      Learn how to analyze and interpret maps by studying monarch butterfly migration.

    • Monarchs Legend Story and Coloring Book

      Read The Legend of the Parákata or color your own version of the story!

    • Native Truths: Come Alive By Nicole Emmons

      Watch the unique animation created for and about the Field Museum's Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories exhibit by animator Nicole Emmons.

    • Our Voices, Our Stories

      Listen to Native artists answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?

    • Pollination Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership

      Interact with various models to explore the structures of plants and animals related to the process of pollination.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • The Great Bear Hunt, narrated by Karen Ann Hoffman

      Storyteller Karen Ann Hoffman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, tells the story of the Great Bear Hunt as she knows the tradition.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • What do you Hear? | PlayLab at Home

      Find a listening spot to hear the world around you and make a sound map.

    • Why is it Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Brian Vallo

      Listen to and watch collaborator artist Brian Vallo respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?

    • Why is it Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Debra Yepa-Peppan

      Listen to Debra answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories? 

    • Why is it Important for us to Tell Our Stories? - Kelly Church

      Listen to and watch artist Kelly Church respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?

    • Why is it Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Lorene Sisquoc

      Listen to and watch artist Lorene Sisquoc respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?

    • Why is it so Important for Us to Tell Our Stories? - Karen Ann Hoffman

       Listen to Karen answer the question: Why is it important for us to tell our stories?

    • Why Must We Tell Our Own Stories? - Ronnie Preston

      Listen to and watch collaborator Ronnie Preston respond to the question: Why must we tell our own stories?

    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.

    FREE FOR EDUCATORS

    EXPAND YOUR TEACHING THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTLearn More