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Dear Teacher, Thank you for choosing the McHenry County Conservation District’s “Natural Storytelling” field study at Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake. The purpose of this program is to provide your students with: Experience completing activities in a nature journal while in the field The opportunity to listen to and watch nature-related stories told by a professional storyteller A hands-on experience hiking on a woodland hike and listening to stories about the natural history of the local flora and fauna. A personal connection and sense of ownership for our Conservation District areas Please make sure all teachers and chaperones attending the field study are aware of the following information. 1. This field trip is generally 3.5 hours long. Please note your start and end time on the permit. We will begin with an indoor introduction followed by outdoor activities. We will be outside for most of the field study. 2. Teachers, chaperones, and students should dress for the weather and wear long pants and sturdy footwear for hiking. 3. To assist the field study leaders in getting to know your class have the students wear secure nametags. 4. Encourage everyone to bring a waste-free lunch! Pack lunches in insulated, reusable containers and include items that can be eaten in their entirety, recycled or composted. Examples are whole fruits and vegetables, drinks in reusable bottles, snacks purchased in bulk and brought in reusable containers, cloth napkins, and reusable ice packs. 5. A teacher packet for this program is available to you on the Conservation District’s website. This packet includes some background information, a “What to Expect” information sheet, a map to Prairieview Education Center, a post-trip evaluation sheet, and pre-trip and post-trip activities. The pre-trip activities are designed to give students background information before they come to Prairieview. Please take time to do the activities because the information will be built upon during the program introduction. The post-trip activities are designed to provide the students with an extension to the activities provided during the program. Download teacher packet here: http://www.mccdistrict.org/rccms/index.php/school-programs/ To request information be sent to your email or school address call Andy Talley at 815-479-5779. 6. In the event of inclement weather on the day of your field study contact us. While there is not much room to reschedule programs, we will try to accommodate your needs. We do have indoor facilities that can be used as necessary.

We are looking forward to a day of fun and learning with your class. If you have questions please feel free to call. Sincerely,

Andy Talley, Education Program Coordinator

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Pre Trip Activity Nature Poetry

Objective:

Students practice creating

poems using their choice of

poetry style.

Method:

Students create a poem about

nature.

Materials:

Paper, pen

The students will be writing a poem called a cinquain during

their field study. This activity will give the students some

experience with writing poetry before the trip.

1. Explain and show examples of the three types of poems

outlined in this activity.

2. Have the students choose their favorite type, and then

have them write their own poem in that style.

3. Allow students to share their poems if they would like to.

Option 1: Dreamspark-a five line poem following the pattern

below.

Line 1: I dreamed that

Line 2: I was (a plant or natural feature)

Line 3: In the (place)

Line 4: (Action taking place)

Line 5: (How the action was performed)

I dreamed that

I was a bald eagle

In the mountains

Soaring high on the wind

Free and happy

Option 2: Haiku-a three line poem following the pattern

below.

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

Butterflies in flight

A rainbow of bright colors

Fluttering over me

Option 3: Shape Poem-a poem that describes an object and is

in the same shape as that object. For example, a circle shaped

poem about a cookie, or a heart shaped poem about love.

A

volcano.

A huge rock,

shooting lava up into

the air! Everyone runs for

cover. Lots of thick, black smoke

pours out of the top, giving you a warning

before the explosions start. Nothing can stand in its

way. Sometimes they don’t blow up for hundreds of years.

Still thousands in the world but they don’t all work, some are even underwater.

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Adjective Olympics

Objective:

Students describe natural

objects and habitats in

response to visual cues.

Method:

Students use adjectives to

describe pictures in a team

game.

Materials:

Slide show or nature pictures,

projection equipment

1. Separate the students into even teams.

2. Give these directions verbally:

a. A team representative should be chosen as the

team spokesperson.

b. When a picture is shown, teams should chose an

adjective that they feel describes the picture.

c. Once the adjective is chosen, the team

representative should raise their hand to share it.

d. The first team to share an adjective will be awarded

a point.

e. At the end of the game the team with the most

points wins.

3. The game can be played in rounds to allow a chance for

different teams to win.

4. As an alternative, teams can use dry erase boards or

chalkboards to write their adjectives on and hold up for

the activity leader to see. Points can then be awarded to

all teams who write an adjective. This is a less

competitive version of the game.

Pre Trip Activity

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Your Favorite Nature Experience

Objective:

Students practice their

storytelling skills by sharing a

positive experience with

nature orally.

Method:

Students write a story about a

nature experience and share it

with others.

Materials:

Paper, pen

1. Give these directions verbally:

Write the story of your favorite nature experience.

The story should include:

Who you were with

What were you doing

Where it took place

When it took place

Why it is your favorite nature experience

2. Have the students share their stories in group of 2-4.

Post Trip Activity

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Story Analysis

Objective:

Students will practice their

critical thinking and analysis

skills by reading and

interpreting a story.

Method:

Students read a story and

answer follow-up questions

about it.

Materials:

Story, question sheet, pen or

pencil

1. Have the students read the story on pages 10-11 of the

packet. You can use a story from one of the resources on

the resource list (page 12) if you prefer.

2. Students should answer the follow-up questions once they

have finished reading the story.

3. Answers to the questions can be shared as a class or in

small groups.

Post Trip Activity

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Follow-up Questions (3rd grade)

1. What is the moral or lesson of the story? How is this conveyed through key details in the

text?

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2. Describe one of the main characters. What traits does that character have? How did the

characters actions contribute to the sequence of the events in the story?

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3. What is your favorite part of the story and why?

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Follow-up Questions (4th grade)

1. Write a brief summary of the story including the theme of the text.

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2. Describe a main character based on their thoughts, words and actions.

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3. What is your favorite part of the story and why?

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Follow-up Questions (5th grade)

1. Write a brief summary of the story including the theme of the text and how characters in the

story respond to challenges.

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2. Compare and contrast two characters in the story using specific details from the story.

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3. What is your favorite part of the story and why?

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Follow-up Questions (6th grade)

1. Write a brief summary of the story distinct from personal opinions or judgment, including

the theme of the text.

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2. Compare and contrast the experience of reading the story and hearing the story. Contrast

what you see and hear when reading the story and what you perceive when you listen to the

story.

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3. What is your favorite part of the story and why?

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Chipmunk and Bear an Iroquois Story

Long ago when animals could talk, a bear was walking along. Now it has always been said

that bears think very highly of themselves. Since they are big and strong, they are certain that

they are the most important animals. As this bear went along turning over big logs with his

paws to look for food to eat, he felt very sure of himself. “There is nothing I cannot do,” said

the bear.

“Is that so?” said a small voice. Bear looked down. There was a little chipmunk looking up at

Bear from its hole in the ground.

“Yes,” Bear said, “that is true indeed.” He reached out one huge paw and rolled over a big log.

“Look how easily I can do this. I am the strongest of all the animals. All the other animals

fear me. I can do anything.”

“Can you stop the sun from rising in the morning?” said the Chipmunk.

Bear thought for a moment. “I have never tried that,” he said. “Yes, I am sure I could stop the

sun from rising.”

“You are sure?” said Chipmunk.

“I am sure,” said Bear. “Tomorrow morning the sun will not rise. I, Bear have said so.” Bear

sat down facing the east to wait.

Behind him the sun set for the night and still he sat there. The chipmunk went into its hole and

curled up in its snug little nest, chuckling about how foolish Bear was. All through the night

Bear sat. Finally the first birds started their songs and the east glowed with the light which

comes before the sun.

“The sun will not rise today,” said Bear. He stared hard at the glowing light.

“The sun will not rise today.”

However, the sun rose, just as it always had. Bear was very upset, but Chipmunk was

delighted. He laughed and laughed. “Sun is stronger than Bear,” said the chipmunk, twittering

with laughter. Chipmunk was so amused that he came out of his hole and began running in

circles, singing this song:

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“The sun came up,

The sun came up.

Bear is angry,

But the sun came up.”

While Bear sat there looking very unhappy, Chipmunk ran around and around, singing and

laughing until he was so weak that he rolled over on his back. Then, quicker than the leap of a

fish from the stream, Bear shot out one big paw and pinned him to the ground.

“Perhaps I cannot stop the sun from rising,” said Bear, “but you will never see another sunrise.”

“Oh Bear,” said the chipmunk. “Oh, oh, oh, you are the strongest, you are the quickest, you are

the best of all of the animals. I was only joking.” But Bear did not move his paw.

“Oh, Bear,” Chipmunk said, “you are right to kill me, I deserve to die. Just please let me say

one last prayer to Creator before you eat me.”

“Say your prayer quickly,” said Bear. “Your time to walk the Sky Road has come!”

“Oh, Bear,” said Chipmunk, “I would like to die. But you are pressing down on me so I cannot

breathe. I can hardly squeak. I do not have enough breath the say a prayer. If you would just

lift your paw a little, just a little bit, then I could breathe. And I could say my last prayer to the

Maker of all, to the one who made great, wise, powerful Bear and the foolish, weak, little

Chipmunk.

Bear lifted up his paw. He lifted it just a little bit. That little bit, though, was enough.

Chipmunk squirmed free and ran for his hole as quickly as the blinking of an eye. Bear swung

his paw at the little chipmunk as it darted away. He was not quick enough to catch him, but the

very tips of his long claws scraped along Chipmunk’s back leaving three pale scars.

To this day, all chipmunks wear those scars as a reminder to them of what happen when one

animal makes fun of another.

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Natural Storytelling Resources

Books

Books by Michael J Caduto and Joseph Bruchac

Earth Tales from Around the World

Keepers of the Animals

Keepers of the Earth

Keepers of Life

Keepers of the Night

Native American Animal Stories

Native American Stories

Native Plant Stories

Story Stretchers by Shirley C. Raines

Tales with Tails by Kevin Strauss

If you are interested in borrowing any of the books listed above they can be reserved for up to

two weeks prior to your visit. Books can be picked up from Prairieview Education Center two

weeks before your field study date and returned on the date of your field study. Materials are

available on a first come-first served basis. You can schedule your reservation at anytime

between your booking of the program and the date of the field study. Please contact us soon if

you would like to reserve any of the materials.

Please Contact:

Andy Talley, Education Program Coordinator

Prairieview Education Center

2112 Behan Rd.

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

(815) 479-5779

Websites

http://www.naturestory.com/

http://www.dougelliott.com/

http://www.environmentalstorytelling.com/

http://www.story-lovers.com/index.html

http://childrensbooksonline.org/Nature_Stories_for_Children/index.htm

Thank you for participating in a McHenry County Conservation District field study with your class. The Education Services Department wants to make sure the field studies are the best they can be, so that you meet your classroom goals. We sincerely appreciate your feedback on the field study you attended. School Name __________________________________Grade ____ Teacher’s Name _____________________________________ Name of the Program _____________________________________ Date of Field Study___________________________________ Conservation District Leader Name(s)___________________________________________________________________________

1. Did you choose to receive your field study packet by mail, email, or did you download it from our website?

2. How was the field study packet helpful in preparing you and your class for the program? What activities did you use? How could the packet be improved?

3. What were your goals for the field study? Were they met? How could the program better serve your goals?

4. Were the activities and information educational and stimulating for the children? What activities do you recall that worked especially well? What activities could use revision?

5. Was your leader well informed about the subject matter and enthusiastic about working with the group?

6. Would you participate in another Conservation District field study?

7. Do you have any additional suggestions, comments, or remarks?

If you would like to receive our Environmental Education Opportunities Teachers’ Guide electronically (Adobe pdf format)

please provide an email address here. _______________________________________________

Field Study Evaluation

Mail or fax your form to: Education Services Manager, Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake IL 60014 Tel 815-479-5779 / Fax 815-479-5766

From Route 176 turn south on Buhl Road. Continue on Buhl Road until it turns east and 

becomes Behan Road.  The entrance to the center is on the north side of Behan Road. 

 Prairieview Education Center 

McHenry County Conservation District 2112 Behan Road 

Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815‐479‐5779 

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