Each preschool loan
box contains ideas for group activities, finger plays, poems, art activities,
and snacks. Some also contain books and videos.
Suggested
for 2-5 year-old children.
Creatures
of the Night
Some of the most
remarkable creatures are those that rarely or never see the light of day. This
box introduces concepts of day and night as well as shadows and the amazing
adaptations of nocturnal animals.
Honeybees
This box puts you
right in the honeybee society. Your
class can discover types of honeybees, structure of the hive and the
relationships between different bees.
Developed through a
grant from the Evanston Community Foundation.
Seeds
This box focuses on
providing hands-on experiences with seeds. A variety of seeds are provided,
including a collection of seeds that can be explored, categorized, counted or
characterized.
Grades
K-2
Trees
Increase students'
awareness and knowledge of the trees around us as important parts of the
environment. Includes lesson plans, books, and a collection of “tree cookie”
trunk slices where rings can be counted.
Grades
K-5
Great
Lakes
This box was
designed to supplement topics on the Great Lakes with an emphasis on Lake
Michigan. It introduces aspects of the geography, history and ecology of the
Lakes including, glaciers, invasive species, marine and aquatic sciences.
Posters, books and game pieces are among the contents.
Grades
K-5
Alien
Invaders
Explore the
concepts of non– native invasive species, including the Gypsy Moth, Asian
Long-horned Beetle, Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, Zebra Mussel and more. Topics
include life cycles, pests, interactions between plants and animals, and the
presence of these invaders in Evanston. Box includes the Illinois state
curriculum “Legacy of a Pest.”
Grades
K-5
Paper
Recycle paper! This
interactive box explains how recycled paper is made and includes directions and
materials for making recycled paper in your classroom.
Grades
1-3
Recycled
Content
Introduce your
students to recycling and how trash can be a valuable community resource.
Students will be able to explore how trash is disposed of, what natural
resources are in most of our trash cans and how they can be recycled. Contents
include assorted trash (clean) and resource sheets.
Grades
1-4
The
Records of Life
Take a closer look
at fossils and the ways that fossils can be formed. Contents include a collection
of fossils that represent various plants and animals of long ago, as well as
fossils that represent the different fossilization processes.
Grades
1-4
Vertebrates
Discover the
characteristics of the five major vertebrate groups: mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and fish. Contents include a collection of vertebrate skeletons and
skulls.
Grades
3-5
Preview Loan Boxes
at the Evanston Ecology Center. It is
recommended you reserve the materials at least two weeks in advance. Reserve
loan materials ahead of time by calling 847-448-8256. You may keep the
loan materials for two weeks free of charge. Loans are limited to two boxes per
loan period.
The
loan box program is sponsored by the Evanston Environmental Association and
Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc. in cooperation with Evanston School District #65
and INVEST Museum Alliance. Development of several boxes was made possible by
grants from the Field Corporation, the Rotary Club of Evanston, the Evanston
Community Foundation, Optimist Club of Wilmette and the Illinois Department of
Energy and Natural Resources.
The
Evanston Environmental Association supports the Evanston Ecology Center which
provides guided school programs and public classes for people of all ages. Call
847-448-8256 for more information.
KEB,
Inc.
Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc. provides programs and services on recycling, waste reduction, and the environment. Call 847-448-8256 ext. 105 for more information.