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For preschool
groups ask about our story and craft programs.
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Willowhaven
Interpretive
Center School Group
Programs-
Early Elementary: 1st - 3rd Grade
Year-Round Programs: Programs run around 90 minutes
The Amazing World of Insects and Spiders -
The students will learn the difference between insects and spiders,
and then go out on the nature trail in order to observe insects
in their own habitat and to discuss their role in the ecosystem.
If weather permits, students will net specimens for a close
up view of the amazing adaptations of insects. In the event
that weather interferes with the outdoor activity, students
will observe preserved specimens provided by the park district
and identify the anatomical features of insects and spiders.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 13.A.1c;
13.B.1c; 13.B.1d
Wetland Safari -
Discover the world of frogs, turtles and ducks. Learn all about
wetlands; what animals and plants are found there, and why it
is important to protect wetlands. Students will participate
in a discussion about wetlands, followed by a nature hike (weather
permitting) and scavenger hunt of wetland species to find on
the landscape. For the outdoor activity, students must wear
sturdy hiking shoes or tennis shoes and long pants.
State Goals: 11.A.1b ; 11.A.1d; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 12.E.1a; 12.E.1c;
13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d
Seasonal Programs
May through October:
Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven
to observe animal tracks, trails & sign. Before the hike, students
will discuss what questions they might ask about prairie and
wetland habitat and what can be gained by careful observation.
Students will observe native prairie and wetland species while
recording their observations on a species list. Wildlife at
Whispering Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes
and turtles, deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green
heron, egret, red-tail hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and
many others. After the hike, students will compare their observations,
and discuss the role of ecologists, wildlife biologists and
restoration biologists in protecting, preserving and managing
natural areas.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1f; 12.B.1a; 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c;
13.B.1c; 13.B.1d Time
August through October
Seed Collection -
Students will collect the seed from a variety of native plants
in Whispering Willows Park educational gardens to be used for
restoration of native wetland and prairie habitat in the park.
A brief introduction will describe the most common prairie plants,
their seed dispersal strategies, and how their life cycle interacts
with other plants, insects and animals in a prairie ecosystem.
Students will also discuss the role of ecologists, wildlife
biologists and restoration biologists in protecting, preserving
and managing natural areas.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 12.A.1a; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c;
13.B.1c; 13.B.1d
October
Tree & Leaf identification -
Participants will learn the basic leaf shapes of common native
trees. Weather permitting, students will create leaf prints
from samples collected on a nature walk on the trail at Whispering
Willows Park. Students will also discuss the role of ecologists,
wildlife biologists and restoration biologists in protecting,
preserving and managing natural areas.
State Goals: 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c;
13.B.1d
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Late Elementary:4th-6th Grade
Year-Round Programs: Programs
run around 90 minutes unless specified otherwise
Our Watershed -
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss
the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed.
We look at problems and solutions associated with habitat, water
quality, and quality of life along the river. The program includes
a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat at Willowhaven,
and an interactive watershed model demonstrating non-point source
pollution of water resources. Time Required: 2 Hours
State Goals: 12.B.2a; 12.E.2a; 12.E.2b; 12.E.2a; 12.E.2b; 13.B.2c;
13.B.2d; 13.B.2e; 13.B.2f
Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit
up following a meal. As such, they contain valuable clues to
what the owl was eating and the habitat in which the owl was
hunting. Students will classify and record the types of bones
of the owl's prey using bone identifying charts while learning
the ecology of food, energy, and the web of life. Students will
learn the role of the apex predator in keeping the healthy balance
of an ecosystem, and discuss the value of conservation science
in today's society.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2c; 11.A.2d; 12.B.2a, 13.A.2c;
13.B.2a
Seasonal Programs
May through October:
Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven
to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe
the ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. Wildlife at Whispering
Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes and turtles,
deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green heron, egret,
red-tail hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and many others.
Students will discuss the work of conservation scientists, and
record their observations and create a simple map which describes
the various habitat types in the Park.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 12.B.2a; 12.B.2b; 13.B.2c
August through October
Seed Collecting -
Students will collect the seed from a variety of native plants
in Whispering Willows Park educational gardens to be used for
restoration of native wetland and prairie habitat in the park.
A brief introduction will describe the most common prairie plants,
their seed dispersal strategies, and how their life cycle interacts
with other plants, insects and animals in a prairie ecosystem.
Restoration projects in the greater Chicago region will be discussed,
as well as the profession of a restoration biologist and the
science behind natural areas restoration.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 12.B.2a; 12.B.2b; 13.A.2a; 13.B.2f
October
Tree & Leaf identification-
Participants will learn the basic leaf shapes of common native
trees. Weather permitting, students will create beautiful leaf
prints from samples collected on a nature walk on the trail
at Whispering Willows Park.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 12.B.2b; 13.B.2e
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Jr. High: 7th
& 8th Grade
Year-Round Programs:
Programs run around 90 minutes unless specified otherwise
Our Watershed -
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss
the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed.
We look at problems and solutions associated with habitat, water
quality, and quality of life along the river. The program includes
a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat at Willowhaven,
and an interactive watershed model demonstrating non-point source
pollution of water resources. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.B.3a; 12.E.3a; 12.E.3b; 12.E.3c; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3d;
13.B.3e
Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit
up following a meal. As such, they contain valuable clues to
what the owl was eating and the habitat in which the owl was
hunting. Students will classify and record the types of bones
of the owl's prey using bone identifying charts while learning
the ecology of food, energy, and the web of life. Students will
learn the role of the apex predator in keeping the healthy balance
of an ecosystem, and discuss the value of conservation science
in today's society.
State Goals: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.B.3a; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c;
13.B.3e
Seed Sampler -
Students will briefly discuss conifer and deciduous groups of
trees, the basic structure and function of leaves, and what
causes the fall colors of deciduous. Participants will learn
to use an identification key to classify a variety of native
tree seeds by observing their size, shape, color, type, means
of transport and texture. Students will discuss how some seeds
are dependent on insects and wildlife to pollinate and disperse,
and how wildlife depends on trees for food, shelter. Students
will discuss how conservation scientists use this understanding
to make decisions about managing natural areas. Weather permitting,
students will go on a nature walk through Whispering Willows
Park and observe native species typical of Illinois wetland
and prairie habitat.
State Goals: 12.A.3c; 12.B.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c
Seasonal Programs
May through October:
Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven
to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe
the ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. Wildlife at Whispering
Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes and turtles,
deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green heron, egret,
red-tail hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and many others.
Students will record their observations and create a simple
map which describes the various habitat types in the Park. They
will discuss the work of conservation biologists as well as
the role of carefully documented observations as compared to
experiments with controls. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.B.3a; 12.B.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c
August through October
Native Prairie Plants -
Students will first have a brief discussion with a park naturalist
to become familiar with several of the common native plants
and their habitat. Students will observe the flowers and seeds
of each of the plants, and discuss the methods of seed dispersal
for each species, and how each plant interacts with the other
species of plants, insects and animals of the prairie. The class
will discuss environmental careers and what education is required.
After observing sample species in the nature center, students
will take a simple data sheet on a nature walk to observe and
record several common native prairie plants. After their survey,
students will create a simple chart of the Park's prairie plant
community based on their observations. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.B.3a; 12.B.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c
Seed Collection -
Students will collect the seed from a variety of native plants
in Whispering Willows Park educational gardens to be used for
restoration of native wetland and prairie habitat in the park.
A brief introduction will describe the most common prairie plants,
their seed dispersal strategies, and how their life cycle interacts
with other plants, insects and animals in a prairie ecosystem.
Restoration projects in the greater Chicago region will be discussed,
as well as the profession of a restoration biologist and the
science behind natural areas restoration. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.A.3c; 12.B.3a; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3b; 13.B.3e;
13.B.3f
October
Tree & Leaf identification -
Students will briefly discuss the structure and function of
leaves as well as the physiology of the autumn color change
in deciduous trees. Students will learn to recognize many of
the common native trees of Illinois and how to use a plant key
to identify native trees, as well as how this knowledge applies
to conservation science. Weather permitting, students will go
on the nature trail at Whispering Willows Park to collect and
identify native tree species.
State Goals: 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.A.3c; 12.B.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c
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Early High School
Year-Round Programs: Programs run around 90
minutes unless specified otherwise
Our Watershed -
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss
the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed.
We look at problems and solutions associated with habitat, water
quality, and quality of life along the river. The program includes
a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat at Willowhaven,
and an interactive watershed model demonstrating non-point source
pollution of water resources. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.B.4a; 13.B.4d
Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit
up following a meal. As such, they contain valuable clues to what
the owl was eating and the habitat in which the owl was hunting.
Students will classify and record the types of bones of the owl's
prey using bone identifying charts and discuss the ecology of
food, energy, and the web of life. Students will learn the role
of the apex predator in keeping the healthy balance of an ecosystem,
and discuss the value of conservation science in today's society.
State Goals: 12.B.4a; 12.B.4b; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
Seed Sampler -
Students will briefly discuss conifer and deciduous groups of
trees, the basic structure and function of leaves, and what causes
the fall colors of deciduous. Participants will learn to use an
identification key to classify a variety of native tree seeds
by observing their size, shape, color, type, means of transport
and texture. Students will discuss how some seeds are dependent
on insects and wildlife to pollinate and disperse, and how wildlife
depends on trees for food, shelter. Students will discuss how
conservation scientists use this understanding to make decisions
about managing natural areas. Weather permitting, students will
go on a nature walk through Whispering Willows Park and observe
native species typical of Illinois wetland and prairie habitat.
State Goals: 12.A.4b; 12.B.4a; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
Seasonal Programs
May through October:
Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven
to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe the
ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. Wildlife at Whispering
Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes and turtles,
deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green heron, egret, red-tail
hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and many others. Students will
record their observations and create a simple map which describes
the various habitat types in the Park. They will discuss the work
of conservation biologists, the role of carefully documented observations
as compared to experiments with controls, and make recommendations
for improvements to the Whispering Willows natural area. Time
Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.B.4a; 13.B.4a; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
August through October
Native Prairie Plants -
Students will first have a brief discussion with a park naturalist
to become familiar with several of the common native plants and
their habitat. Students will observe the flowers and seeds of
each of the plants, and discuss the methods of seed dispersal
for each species, and how each plant interacts with the other
species of plants, insects and animals of the prairie. The class
will discuss environmental careers and what education is required.
After observing sample species in the nature center, students
will take a simple data sheet on a nature walk to observe and
record several common native prairie plants. After their survey,
students will create a simple chart of the Park's prairie plant
community based on their observations. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.4c; 11.A.4d; 12.A.4a; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
Seed Collection -
Students will collect the seed from a variety of native plants
in Whispering Willows Park educational gardens to be used for
restoration of native wetland and prairie habitat in the park.
A brief introduction will describe the most common prairie plants,
their seed dispersal strategies, and how their life cycle interacts
with other plants, insects and animals in a prairie ecosystem.
Restoration projects in the greater Chicago region will be discussed,
as well as the profession of a restoration biologist and the science
behind natural areas restoration. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.4c; 12.B.4a; 13.B.4a; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
October
Tree & Leaf identification -
Students will briefly discuss the structure and function of leaves
as well as the physiology of the autumn color change in deciduous
trees. Students will learn to recognize many of the common native
trees of Illinois and how to use a plant key to identify native
trees, as well as how this knowledge applies to conservation science.
Weather permitting, students will go on the nature trail at Whispering
Willows Park to collect and identify native tree species.
State Goals: 12.A.4b; 12.B.4a; 13.B.4a; 13.B.4b; 13.B.4c; 13.B.4d
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Late High School
Year-Round Programs: Programs
run around 90 minutes unless specified otherwise
Our Watershed -
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss
the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed.
The students will analyze problems and solutions associated with
habitat, water quality, and quality of life along the river. The
program includes a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat
at Whispering Willows Park, and an interactive watershed model
demonstrating non-point source pollution of water resources. Time
Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.5a; 11.A.5c; 12.B.5a; 13.A.5b; 13.A.5c; 13.B.5d
Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit
up following a meal. As such, they contain valuable clues to what
the owl was eating and the habitat in which the owl was hunting.
Students will classify and record the types of bones of the owl's
prey using bone identifying charts while learning the ecology
of food, energy, and the web of life. Students will learn the
role of the apex predator in keeping the healthy balance of an
ecosystem, and discuss the value of conservation science in today's
society.
State Goals: 12.B.5a; 13.A.5b; 13.A.5c; 13.B.5d
Seed Sampler -
Students will briefly discuss conifer and deciduous groups of
trees, the basic structure and function of leaves, and what causes
the fall colors of deciduous. Participants will learn to use an
identification key to classify a variety of native tree seeds
by observing their size, shape, color, type, means of transport
and texture. Students will discuss how some seeds are dependent
on insects and wildlife to pollinate and disperse, and how wildlife
depends on trees for food, shelter. Students will discuss how
conservation scientists use this understanding to make decisions
about managing natural areas. Weather permitting, students will
go on a nature walk through Whispering Willows Park and observe
native species typical of Illinois wetland and prairie habitat.
State Goals: 12.A.5a; 12.B.5b; 13.B.5d
Environmental Study -
Students will work with Willowhaven staff naturalists to design
and conduct and environmental impact study, analyze their findings
and justify recommendations. Initially, students will visit Whispering
Willows Park to make their initial observations and decide on
the environmental problem or restoration need that will be the
focus for their study. After further researching their topic,
the class will return to Whispering Willows one or more times
in order to conduct their observations. After analyzing their
findings, students will recommend a management strategy that solves
the problem. Time Required: Varies
State Goals: 12.B.5a; 12.B.5b; 13.B.5c; 13.B.5d
Seasonal Programs
May through October:
Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven
to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe the
ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. Wildlife at Whispering
Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes and turtles,
deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green heron, egret, red-tail
hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and many others. Students will
record their observations and create a simple map which describes
the various habitat types in the Park. They will discuss the work
of conservation biologists, the role of carefully documented observations
as compared to experiments with controls, and make recommendations
for improvements to the Whispering Willows natural area. Time
Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.B.5a; 12.B.5b; 12.E.5a
August through October
Native Prairie Plants -
Students will to become familiar with several of the common native
plants and their habitat. Students will observe the flowers and
seeds of each of the plants, and discuss the methods of seed dispersal
for each species, and how each plant interacts with the other
species of plants, insects and animals of the prairie. The class
will discuss environmental careers and what education is required.
Using field guides and plant identification keys, students will
take a sample data sheet on a nature walk to observe and record
several common native prairie plants. After their survey, students
will create a map and chart of the Park's prairie plant community
based on their observations. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.5a; 11.A.5b; 11.A.5c; 12.B.5a; 12.E.5; 13.A.5c;
13.B.5d
State Goals that can be met with follow-up activities: 11.A.5d;
11.A.5e;
October
Seed Collection -
Students will collect the seed from a variety of native plants
in Whispering Willows Park educational gardens to be used for
restoration of native wetland and prairie habitat in the park.
A brief introduction will describe the most common prairie plants,
their seed dispersal strategies, and how their life cycle interacts
with other plants, insects and animals in a prairie ecosystem.
Restoration projects in the greater Chicago region will be discussed,
as well as the profession of a restoration biologist and the science
behind natural areas restoration. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 12.B.5a; 12.B.5a; 13.B.5d
Tree & Leaf identification -
Students will briefly discuss the structure and function of leaves
as well as the physiology of the autumn color change in deciduous
trees. Students will learn to recognize many of the common native
trees of Illinois and how to use a plant key to identify native
trees, as well as how this knowledge applies to conservation science.
Weather permitting, students will go on the nature trail at Whispering
Willows Park to collect and identify native tree species.
State Goals: 12.A.5a; 12.B.5a; 12.B.5b
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