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
Showing 17 resources
Bird Calls and Songs | PlayLab at Home
Listen to different songs or calls made by local Illinois birds.What do you Hear? | PlayLab at Home
Find a listening spot to hear the world around you and make a sound map.Herbarium Sheets | PlayLab at Home
Learn about scientists who study plants and create your own herbarium sheet.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 knowledge3D 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.Mapping and Monarchs Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership
Learn how to analyze and interpret maps by studying monarch butterfly migration.Animal Survival Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership
Act as consultants to the City of Chicago and assess their relocation plan for urban coyotes.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.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.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.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.Pollination Unit | Early Elementary Science Partnership
Interact with various models to explore the structures of plants and animals related to the process of pollination.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.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.Monarchs Legend Story and Coloring Book
Read The Legend of the Parákata or color your own version of the story!
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.
Acknowledgments
School learning experiences are supported by ITW.