Winter Outreach

Bring The Morton Arboretum to your classroom this winter! Our Winter Outreach programs are presented by Arboretum Guides in your classroom for a full hour of fun activities and exploration. Programs are available from December through March during the school hours of 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.  Please note that we require three (3) weeks notice to process registration requests, so early planning is strongly encouraged.  

All Winter Outreach programs include activities using microscopes and other materials.  Programs are designed to be presented to groups of no more than 30 students. Programs can be presented multiple times in one day, however, there is a two program (topic) maximum. Classroom teachers must be present during Winter Outreach Programs.

Registration & Fee Information

PREK – KINDERGARTEN

A Tree is Nice

1 hour
Trees are important for both people and animals. Learn about the parts of a tree, differences between deciduous and coniferous trees, and how to identify common leaves. Learn about how people and other animals use trees. Using a story, songs, and games, we’ll take a look at why trees are important to our natural world.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12A – Life Cycles
12A/12B – Adaptations
12B – Food Webs / Interactions

When it Starts to Snow

1 hour
How do animals survive the long, snowy winter? Where do they go and what do they eat when it starts to snow? Discover answers to these questions by observing pelts, shells, and skulls in your classroom. Learn about animal adaptations and seasonal changes with a book, games, songs, and other fun activities.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12A – Life Cycles
12A/12B – Adaptations
12B – Food Webs / Interactions

FIRST-THIRD GRADE

Plant Investigation

1 hour
Be amazed that something as small as a seed can grow into a great big plant. Explore the parts of plants: seeds, stems, roots, and leaves to understand how they grow. Use microscopes for a hands-on and up-close view of this green world.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12A – Life Cycles
12A/12B – Adaptations
12B – Food Webs / Interactions
13B – Scientific Instruments

Habitat Happenings

1 hour
Bring the woodlands, wetlands, and prairie into your classroom. Use microscopes to study the characteristics and adaptations of animals from these three ecosystems. Explore skulls, pelts, and animal mounts to learn about local herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12A/12B – Adaptations
12B – Habitats
12B – Food Webs / Interactions
13B – Scientific Instruments

FOURTH-FIFTH GRADE

Hands-on Habitats

1 hour
A habitat is a home for plants and animals. Find out what plants and animals make a home for themselves in Illinois’ woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Learn about the adaptations that animals have developed to live in certain ecosystems. Explore skulls and pelts, and use microscopes to get a new view of our local herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12A/12B – Adaptations
12B – Habitats
12B – Food Webs / Interactions
13B – Scientific Instruments

Rock On!

1 hour
Find out about different types of rocks and how they are formed. Use tools to sort and identify various minerals. Look at ancient plant and animal parts as you study fossils from millions of years ago.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
Addresses the following IL Learning Standards / Key Concepts:
11A – Scientific Inquiry
12E – Geology
12E – Natural Cycles