Musical Insects - Story Telling Kit
Insects make many interesting sounds. Explore the noisy world of insects through story books, crafts and activities.
Who: P through K
SLS: 1BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 11AEC, 25AEC, 1AK, 1BK, 1C, 4AK, 11AK, 12AK, 12BK, 12CK
Rhythm and Recycle
This kit includes a 40 piece rhythm set for the students, information on forming a classroom rhythm band as well as making instruments from recycled materials.
Projects on the science of sound are also included.
Who: P through 3rd grade
SLS: 12EEC, 19AEC, 19CEC, 25AEC, 11AK, 12EK, 13BK, 19AK, 26AK, 17C., 25A, 26A, 26B
Weather or Not
Help younger children learn about the seasons and older students learn about fog, tornados, blizzards and other weather phenomena. This kit includes insta-sno, adorable weather puppets, weather kits, books, posters, and more!
Who: P through 8th grade
SLS: BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 5AEC, 5bEC, 11AEC, 12AEC, 12AEC, 12BEC, 12FEC, 11AK, 12AK, 12BK, 12FK, 16AK, 16BK, 17AK, 17CK, 12A, 12E, 13B, 17C
Oh Deer!
The white tailed deer is Illinois’ state mammal. This kit, containing books, lesson plans, a deer pelt, and much more is sure to be a hit with all ages. Use it to augment the study of state symbols, spur a discussion of hunting or help preschoolers learn the difference between white tailed deer
and reindeer.
Who: P through 12th grade
SLS: BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 5AEC, 5bEC, 11AEC, 12AEC, 12AEC, 12BEC, 12FEC, 11AK, 12AK, 12BK, 12FK, 16AK, 16BK, 17AK, 17CK, 12A, 12B, 13B.
Talkin' Turkey
This kit is full of items and information from the National Wild Turkey Foundation, plus replica skull, track, scat, egg and other fun materials. It will be a great addition to a unit at Thanksgiving or anytime.
Who: P through 12th grade
SLS: BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 5AEC, 5BE, 5CEC, 11AEC, 12AEC, 12BEC, 12FEC, 11AK, 12AK, 12BK, 12FK, 16AK, 16BK, 17AK, 17CK, 12A, 12B, 13B, 16E, 17C
Nature's Music
The sounds of nature are all around us, but sometimes we forget to listen. This kit will help students learn to stop and listen to the music of the birds, frogs, rain and the great outdoors.
Who: K through 4th grade (includes some materials through high school level)
SLS: 11AK, 12CK, 12DK, 12FK, 26AK, 26A
Dinosaurs
Every kid loves dinosaurs. This kit contains interactive materials, curriculum materials, and lots of fun stuff for the dino fan. Sure to be a hit.
Who: K through 4th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 12E, 13B
Insects
Loads of information and fun activities. This kit includes lesson plans, games, Magic School Bus and other videos, posters, real specimens plus collecting equipment.
Who: K through 6th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Reptiles
Learn about common and uncommon reptiles with this kit chock full of books, videos, posters, games, activity ideas and more.
Who: K through 6th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Astronomy
Includes background materials, lesson plans, videos, posters, games, books, websites and much more. Perfect supplement for a unit or enrichment materials.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12F
Bats
Learn about bats in Macon County and beyond. Kit includes videos, slides, skulls, skeletons, books, lesson plans, activities, posters.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Birds of Prey
This kit contains materials relating to hawks and owls with emphasis on local species. Posters, activities, lesson plans, skulls, and much
more included.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Earthworms
Earthworms can do more than aerate the soil. Discover more about these creatures with lesson plans, activities, books, posters.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B, 16A
Fossils
Kit includes video lab for middle and high school. Also has “bucket of fossils” which will delight all ages. Materials to “make a fossil” included, along with books, lesson plans and background materials.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 12E, 13B , 16A
Frogs and Toads
Full of facts about frogs and toads. Lesson plans, posters, books, videos and CDs help the student discover more about these amphibians.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Outdoor Survival Skills
If you were stranded in the wilderness, would you know how to survive? Put your survival tricks to the test or learn some techniques with this kit filled with guides, animal ID, and more! Also tips for successful camping, and hiking outings.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 2A, 12B, 12E, 19C, 22A, 22C, 24B
Skeletons
Learn more about the vertebrates and the main characteristic they all share - a skeleton, with our “box full of bones.” Contains a representative skeleton from each class of vertebrates plus lots of books, videos, lesson plans and activity ideas.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B
Trees
Trees are so important to our environment. This kit helps students learn to identify common trees with seeds, wood, and leaves. It also helps the younger students understand the importance of trees to our lives. Contains lesson plans, books, specimens and posters.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B, 16E
Wetlands, Ponds and Streams
Fresh water aquatic environments are often misunderstood. Help your students learn about the importance of this varied habitat with
videos, books, activities, posters, test kits and lesson plans.
Who: K through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B, 16E
Prairie
Learn more about this important, but vanishing biome. Illinois is nicknamed “The Prairie State” for a reason. Kit includes lesson plans, videos, CDs, prairie plant specimens, skulls, scat and egg replicas of prairie birds.
Who: 3rd through 12th grade
SLS: 12A, 12B, 13B, 16E, 17B, 17C
Trains, Chugging Along - Story Telling Kit
Trains are a favorite of many children. Story books, CDs, and activities will help children learn more about trains and their interesting sounds.
Who: P through K
SLS: 1BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 11AEC, 25 AEC, 1AK, 1BK, 4AK, 11AK, 26AK
Train Songs
The railroads were very important in Macon County’s history. They encouraged immigration, were responsible for the establishment of many of the small towns, and made Decatur a major grain processing center. This kit will help the student learn about that history with books, CDs, and activities.
Who: P through 8th grade (includes some materials for High School level)
SLS: 1BEC, 1CEC, 4AEC, 11AEC, 25 AEC, 1AK, 1BK, 4AK, 11AK, 26AK, 15A, 16A, 16C, 16E, 17C, 17D
1860s Farm Life
Students will catch a glimpse of life in rural Central Illinois. You’ll gain in-depth perspectives through artifacts, activities and selected topics that demonstrate the experiences of men, women, and children that lived the 19th Century farming lifestyle.
Who: K through 6th grade
SLS: 13A, 16A, 16D, 16E
Native American Life-Ways
The Native Americans in Illinois had their own way of life attuned to the environment. This kit helps students understand and appreciate the unique aspects of Illinois tribes through artifacts and furs from the animals they hunted, the crops they grew, and legends from the Midwest.
Who: K through 6th grade
SLS: 12B, 15D, 16A, 16C
Civil War Soldier
The Civil War Museum in a Box provides an in depth look into the life of the common American Civil War soldier. Students gain this experience through artifacts, activities, and selected topics that focus on food, daily living, and the hardships that soldiers faced.
Who: 3rd through 12th grade
SLS: 16B, 16D
Macon County Conservation District
These interactive teaching kits, which were assembled by conservation district education staff, are available to educators in the Macon County Area. The kits are correlated with the Illinois State Learning Standards and developed for preschool through 12th grade. They are listed by age-appropriateness with youngest first.
