New Classroom Programs at the Early American Museum

Do you need hands-on objects to help present exciting and effective
programs about history? If you are finding it difficult to schedule a
field trip to the Early American Museum, consider bringing a part of us to
you! Our outreach programs aim to bring the museum into your classroom
through both Traveling Discovery Kits and Museum Educator presentations.
Our education programs are available in a variety of disciplines and
topics. All are linked to Illinois Learning Standards and reinforce
curricula at a variety of grade levels. See a list below of our
historical education program topics.
Our traveling trunks are a great way to facilitate hands-on learning and a
great way to enrich the classroom experience with original and
reproduction artifacts, lesson plans, and resource materials. A historical
educator will tailor a visit to meet your needs. See a list below of out
Traveling Discovery Kits.
Call Katie Hicks or Sandy Osborne at (217) 586-2612 to discuss any idea
you have for your classroom. This experience could be for one class or
multiple classes.

Traveling Discovery Kits
All kits are free with a refundable deposit of $50.

Gone for a Soldier
This kit includes some of the personal belongings of a Union soldier in
the Civil War, excerpts from letter of Champaign County Soldiers, and out
Champaign County during the Civil War video.

The Illinois Country
Actual furs and reproductions of trade goods, along with literature about
the interaction between the French and Native Americans in 18th-century
Illinois, are included in this kit.

History from the Heart
This outreach kit is based on the publication of the Illinois Quilt
Research Project, History from the Heart: Quilt Paths Across Illinois. It
includes a copy of the book, study questions, suggested activities, quilt
blocks and storybooks.

Dressed For Work and Play
This kit contains accurate reproduction of everyday clothing worn by boys
and girls in the 1840s. It includes background information for teachers.
Color slides of painting and photographs illustrating 19th—century
children accompany the kit. A complete set of boys and girls clothing is
included. Good for grades K though 5.

Illiniwek Discovery Kit
Touch a brain tanned hide and a bison bone, learn what wampum is and more!
This Discovery Kit focuses on the history and culture of Native Americans
who once lived throughout East Central Illinois. Information on the
Kaskaskia, Peoria, Cahokia, Mascouten, and other members of the Illiniwek
Confederation from 1650 to 1800 is included. This kit was put together by
Dan Hechenberger of the educational nonprofit group Nipundikan and uses
the Goals and Standards for Social Science, Science, Arts and Music,
Language Arts, and Math. Funding for this kit was provided by the Ida
Haack Trust Fund established by Otto Haack.

Lights, Camera, Action!
Use a stereoscope! Make a phantasm scope! Learn to distinguish between a
daguerreotype and a cabinet card. Hands-on reproductions of different
types of photographs as well as persistence of motion devices are
included. Teach science and social studies at the same time!

In-Class Programs
In-class programs can include any of the topics listed above. A few
popular topics have included Life on the prairie, Growing up in the 19th
Century, and First Illinoisans.

Fees for In-Class Programs
Champaign County Schools
Pre-K $20.00 for up to 20 students…$1.00 fee per each additional student
K-12 $25.00 for up to 25 students…$1.50 fee per each additional student

Out of County Schools
Pre-K $25.00 for up to 20 students…$1.50 fee per each additional student
K-12 $30.00 for up to 25 students…$2.00 fee per each additional student

Forest Preserve Field Trips
If you rather visit us, we also have school programs at Lake of the
Woods, Middle Fork and Homer Lake. Please call or email
Stacey Clementz
Environmental Education Programs
(217) 896-2455
sclementz@ccfpd.org

Katie Hicks/ Sandy Osborne
Historical Education Programs
(217) 586-2612
khicks@ccfpd.org
sosborne@ccfpd.org

Ralph Bonati
Plant Science Programs
(217) 586-2612
rbonati@ccfpd.org