Field Trip Activities
We have found that in a two to three-hour field trip, it can work out well for students to rotate between four stations. When the stations are varied, in terms of their intensity, focus and energy level, student concentration remains and high and students get a chance to use a variety of learning styles. We always encourage including an observation and reflection activity to allow students the time to soak it all in. For more help in thinking about how to organize your students’ activities at the river, check out Field Trip Organization 101 (43k PDF). Once you decide what you would like to do please fill out the Field Trip Needs Form (56k PDF) and fax it to Mark Hauser at (312) 939-0931 to reserve your trip date.
General Info on Planning a Field Trip
Field Trip Organization 101 (43k PDF).
Background Information (these are not actually lessons, but information for you and your students)
What makes a river healthy? (89k PDF)
Brief History of the Chicago River (83k PDF)
What are the problems facing the Chicago River today? (229k PDF)
Water Chemistry and Habitat Monitoring
Water Chemistry Monitoring (5th-12th) (180k PDF)
Q-value Analysis (490k PDF)
What do the water quality testing values mean? (98k PDF)
Habitat Assessment (6th-12th) (88k PDF)
Stream Flow Monitoring (6th-12th) (160k PDF)
Macroinvertebrate Collection
Macroinvertebrate Observation (K-4th) (160k PDF)
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring (5th-12th) (622k PDF)
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Data Sheet (598k PDF)
Other Macroinvertebrate resources/links:
What are some basic facts about macroinvertebrates? (138k PDF)
How do I tell the macroinvertebrates apart? (99k PDF)
Wisconsin Extension & WDNR Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River
Illinois IDNR Riverwatch Macroinvertebrate Key
Upland Ecology Studies
Invasive Species Impact Study (6th-12th) (134k PDF)
Tree Transect (6th-12th) (132k PDF)
What are some of the plants found in the Chicago River watershed?
Riparian-Mixed Habitat and Invasives (502k PDF)
Prairie, Wet Prairie and Prairie Invasives (465k PDF)
Wetland, Riverbank and Wetland Invasives (615k PDF)
Forest and Woodland Invasives (410k PDF)
Active Games
Sharing Nature with Children and Sharing Nature with Children 2 by Joseph Cornell both have a variety of fun and adaptable active games. Contact us to borrow the books from Friends’ lending library.
Project WET has a neat active game focused on macroinvertebrates (Macroinvertebrate Mayham). To request for a copy to be mailed to you, contact us.
Reflection and Observation Activities
Observation and Reflection Activities (103k PDF)
Stream Walk (6th-12th) (169k PDF)
We always encourage including an observation and reflection activity to allow students the time to soak it all in.
Also, the books Sharing Nature with Children and Sharing Nature with Children 2 by Joseph Cornell both have a variety of fun and adaptable observation activities. Contact us to borrow the books from Friends’ lending library.
Stewardship Activities and Restoration
Activities can include trash pick up, invasive species removal, native plantings and native seed collection. Availability varies according to site, student age group, and time of year. If you are interested in having your students do restoration we can try to find the right site and activity to fit your needs.
What are some service projects my students can do? (113k PDF)
Note on Stewardship Activities and Restoration: Students, K to 8th, can do site clean-up and trash pick up. Students in 4th and 6th grade are encouraged to enroll in a Mighty Acorns program. High School students (9th to 12 grade) can schedule trash pick up, invasive species removal, native plantings and native seed collection, depending on the needs and availablity of the site steward. Please allow more time to schedule these types of restoration activities. If you are interested only in restoration activities please contact the Forest Preserve District of Cook Coiunty Volunteer Resource Center at (773) 631-1790 ×10.
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