Homeschool Programs
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The Museum and Education Department has exciting homeschool classes available for families looking to supplement their science and history curriculum.
Homeschool Hi-Lites is a newsletter providing information about programs, workshops, performances, exhibits, opportunities, events and more. To sign up for the mailing list, contact Sandy Osborne or call 217-586-2612. Download it here.
Resources and Loan Materials
The Forest Preserve District also provides a variety of resources for educators, including age-appropriate displays, handbooks and binders, and backpacks to take on the trails. Click here to visit the Educator Resources Page.
Stacey Clementz |
Sandra Osborne |
Ralph Bonati |
Wednesday, March 13
REMARKABLE REPTILES HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S. Homer Lake Rd, Homer, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Reptiles are unique members of the animal kingdom. In this class we will focus on reptiles’ life cycles, survival strategies, and the physical characteristics of snakes and turtles of Illinois. You will also have the opportunity to meet our resident reptiles. This class is designed for students 6-12 years old. Fee is $3 per student. Registration required by March 6; (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Tuesdays, April 23 and 30
CIVIL WAR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 950 N. Lombard, Mahomet, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Although Illinois saw no Civil War battles, our state was directly and significantly impacted by the war. We will focus on 1850s-1860s Champaign County, how the Civil War affected its citizens, and the Lincoln connection. This is a two-part class with homework to do between sessions; students/families will attend both sessions.
Our Civil War Home School is designed for students interested in and/or studying the Civil War era, and is aimed at the fourth grade through junior high level. Parental accompaniment is recommended. Class will meet 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. both days. Fee is $8.00 per child, which covers both sessions. Registration and payment due April 15. For further information and to register, contact (217) 586-2612 or sosborne@ccfpd.org
Monday, April 15
BOTANY BASICS HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Museum Education Center, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 950 N. Lombard, Mahomet, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Explore the world of botany. Learn why plants are important, and study their diverse structures and adaptations. Students will learn some basic botany content, learn how to identify trees using a key, and plant some seeds to take home. This program is designed for ages 8-12, with parental accompaniment recommended. $3 per child. Registration required by April 8; (217) 586-2612 or rbonati@ccfpd.org.
Wednesday, May 15
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM: ARCHITECT FOR A DAY
Downtown Urbana, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meet us for this offsite home school program—a one-time special offering! This program is in conjunction with the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s 2013 special exhibit on Joseph Royer’s architecture in Urbana. His buildings include the Champaign County Courthouse, Urbana Free Library, Urbana High School, and the Lincoln Hotel. We will meet downtown and do a walking tour of a selection of sites. $5 per student. For more info and to register: (217) 586-2612 or sosborne@ccfpd.org.
Thursday, September 5
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM: BRANCHING OUT WITH TREES
Elks Lake Pavilion, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
What can breathe without lungs, has a heart that doesn’t beat, and makes its own sugar? A tree, of course. In this program, we’ll explore the world of trees. We’ll learn about the layers of trees, what they provide us, and use a dichotomous key to identify some local trees around us. This class is designed for students 8-12 years old. $3 per student. Registration required by Aug. 29. For more info and to register: (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Wednesdays, Sept.18, Oct. 2, 16, 30, Nov.13
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM: SETTLER CURRICULUM
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 950 N. Lombard, Mahomet, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
This is a 5-part course covering settlement information of Champaign County, daily life of adults and children, one room school, prairie plants and animals, writing historical fiction stories, and more. Enough extensions/information are provided that this can easily serve as your social studies unit for the duration of the course. Each morning includes an interactive presentation, guided family discovery of a museum gallery, activities, and participant sharing time. There is homework each session and a couple of family field trips in the C-U area. Each participant, parents and children alike, will be engaged in actively discovering the historic past of C-U and surrounding communities.
This class is designed for ages 6 and up, with parental accompaniment required. $18.00 per child. Registration and payment due Sept. 7. Space is limited; register early! For more info and to register: (217) 586-2612 or sosborne@ccfpd.org.
Friday, September 27
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM: PRAIRIE ADVENTURES
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 950 N. Lombard, Mahomet, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This is a multi-disciplinary experience, incorporating settlers’ harvesting, prairie animals and prairie plants. Investigate Buffalo Trace Prairie, witness a prairie burn demo, and see and touch harvesting tools and bison bones! This program is a somewhat intense and busy day. Most of it will be outdoors, with significant walking, so dress appropriately. Recommended for children 8 years old and up, with parental accompaniment suggested. No toddlers or strollers please. $3 per child. For more info and to register: sosborne@ccfpd.org or (217) 586-2612.
Friday, Oct. 11
HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM: GPS
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S. Homer Lake Rd., Homer, 1 – 3 p.m.
Learn the art of using a GPS unit as you search for a geocache site at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. We will learn about longitudes and latitudes, how to mark a waypoint and other uses for GPS receivers. GPS receivers are provided. This class is designed for students 9 years old and up. $3 per student. Registration required by Oct. 4. For more info and to register: (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Monday, October 21
SOIL SCIENCE HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Museum Education Center, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 950 N. Lombard, Mahomet, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Students will learn about the importance of decomposers, such as bacteria, fungi, and worms. Soil types will be investigated by taking soil samples in the field, and then students will plant seeds in gardening soil they have mixed to take home and grow. This program is designed for ages 6-10, with parental accompaniment recommended. $3 per student. Registration required by October 14; (217) 586-2612 or rbonati@ccfpd.org.
