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Free Resource Trunks for Loan

The Center for Teaching and Learning offers a variety of loan kits for educators to use in the classroom. There is a $50 deposit required to lease a kit, which is refunded upon the return of the complete kit. For kit availability and/or to arrange for kit pick-up call (847) 835-8253. For more information, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/education/Classrm/teach.htm.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Tree Trunk
Want to learn more about the forest? This trunk includes many items teachers can use to instruct students about trees, forests, forest careers, and the forestry industry. You’ll find items that help support the Illinois Learning Standards from grades PreK-10. Items include field guides, tree “cookies,” lumber samples, and much more.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois Wild Mammals Trunk
Are you teaching about mammals? Borrow the Illinois Wild Mammals Trunk to supplement your lessons. This kit includes field guides, CD-ROMs, a DVD, fur samples, skulls, track and scat replicas, lessons, activity sheets, posters, and other items. Targeted grades: 4-8.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois Fossils Trunk
Borrow an Illinois Fossils Trunk to help your students in grades 4-8 explore Illinois’ natural heritage. Each trunk contains fossil molds, a fossil hunt kit, a video, a fossil reference collection, field guides, posters, and more.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources People and Animals from Illinois’ Past Trunk
Borrow the People and Animals from Illinois’ Past trunk to teach students in grades K-3 about prehistoric mammals, extirpated mammals, and Native Americans and their relationship with nature. Contents include mammoth and mastodon tooth replicas, species replicas, Native American games, activities, mammoth hair, posters, replica pottery, a video, reference books, and natural items used by Native Americans.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Insects and Spiders Trunk
Insects and spiders fascinate students. Encourage them to learn more about these organisms by using the resources in this trunk. Books, CD-ROMs, student activities, field guides, posters, insect/spider observation equipment, and a video are just some of the items included. Targeted grades: K-6.

Custom Workshops
Staff in the Center for Teaching and Learning can develop custom workshops to be delivered at your site. Teachers, administrative staff, and parent or neighborhood volunteers can all participate through active learning that illustrates grade-appropriate techniques for integrating plant-based learning into the curriculum. Please call Teacher Services at (847) 835-8253 for more information about scheduling and pricing for custom workshops.