From Us To You
Included below are links to a variety of activity guides and lesson plan ideas for our educators and community. For your convenience, we’ve curated resources from some of the leading nature and environmental organizations, and have created resources to aid in the creation of Nature as Teacher experiences for students. Please enjoy and reach out if you have any questions.
Community Resources
Included below are a variety of informational resources, activities, and ideas to help you get involved in nature play and create healthy backyard habitats. Please enjoy and reach out to us if you have any questions.
Educator Resources
For your reference, we have identified resources you might find useful in creating Nature as Teacher experiences for your students. Included below are links to a variety of activity guides and lesson plan ideas from BYNC and some of the leading nature and environmental organizations.
Backyard Nature Center
Exploring Insects and Spiders with Children
- Getting Started
- Setting up the Activity Stations
- Materials
National Wildlife Federation
Wildlife and nature lesson plans and resources for educators
- Grade level: K-12
- Subject areas: Science, Math, Social Studies, Writing, Art
- Lesson plan categories: Habitat, Energy Conservation, Ecosystems, Wildlife
National Wildlife Federation
NWF’s program for creating Schoolyard Habitat and outdoor classrooms
Nature Works Everywhere
Resource lesson plans consistent with common core and next generation science standards
- Grade Level: 3-12
- Subject areas: Science
North American Association for Environmental Education
2016 Living Schoolyard Activity Guide, Midwest edition
- Grade Level: K-12
- Subject areas: Science, Math, Social Studies, Writing, Art
National Environmental Education Foundation
Educator Toolkits with lesson plans and resources
- Grade level: K-12
- Subject areas: Science, Math
- Lesson plan categories: Habitat, Wildlife, Plants, Animals
The Field Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Download Schoolyard Activity Guide
Schools & Teachers section contains information about teacher workshops
Chicago Botanic Garden
Teachers and Students field trips and lesson kits
Education section includes teacher programs and free classroom resource kits
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Education section contains teacher resources and activity guides
Green Schoolyards America
Living Schoolyard Program (including a downloadable Activity Guide)
- Grade level: 3-5
- Subject areas: Science, Math, Social Studies, Writing, Art
- Lesson plan categories: Wildlife, Animals, Conservation
The Alliance for Early Childhood
Explore programs and resources to support parents and educators in raising young children
- Grade levels: Elementary, Middle School, High School
- Subject areas: Science, Biology, Engineering, Technology
- Lesson plan categories: Erosion, Watersheds, Climate Change, Conservation, Soil and Water
- Middle School – Virtual Field Trips
Additional Resources and Recommended Reading
Author Richard Louv
The Imagination Tree Blog
The Little Garden Club of Wilmette
Brochure: Pocket Prairie Gardens
City of Chicago
Singing Insects Monitoring Program
Skokie Lagoons Historical Archives