University of Illinois Extension, LaSalle County Unit
1689 North 31st Road, Suite 2
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Phone: 815-433-0707
Fax: 815-433-5454
Website: www.extension.uiuc.edu/lasalle
Teachers:
University of Illinois Extension, LaSalle County Unit will be offering several different school enrichment
programs for use in your classrooms. Program materials and presenters are available through the 4-H
program and the Family Nutrition Program. Some of the programs have been aligned with the Illinois
State Goals for Learning. These programs offer another way to enhance the learning experience for your
students.
This catalog contains brief descriptions about each of the projects offered. Please take a few minutes and
look over the curricula. After selecting programs that best suits your needs, please call or email the
contact person.
Our staff will come to your site and deliver instruction for some of the projects. Others are materials
only. Please call and speak with the staff members involved with each of the programs to discuss the
details.
Schools have the option of purchasing some of the program manuals. Pricing information is quoted for
each program if available. If schools were able to provide a financial donation to help offset the costs of
supplies, copies and materials that will be used with your students, it would be appreciated. Services will
not be denied due to inability to provide a financial donation.
LaSalle County Extension Unit Staff
Shelly Diss, Family Nutrition Program
Gail Hayward, Family Nutrition Program
Linda Roberts, Natural Resources
Sheila Thomas, 4H and Youth
Linda Vicich, Family Nutrition Program
Anne Volkman, Family Nutrition Program
diss@illinois.edu
hayward@illinois.edu
llrobert@illinois.edu
sathoms1@illinois.edu
lvicich@illinois.edu
avolkman@illinois.edu
If you are interested in an after-school 4-H club or a 4-H special interest club at your school,
please contact Sheila Thomas, 4-H Community Worker sathoms1@illinois.edu. She could do an
activity from a 4-H project with the students to show what some of the projects would be and to
discuss the 4-H program.
Character Education
Polite is Right: An elementary school curriculum designed to teach children social skills and
encourage the use of considerate behavior in social settings. The program focuses youth’s attention on
social rules and customs, helps youth understand why these rules and customs are important and helps
youth develop specific skills and behaviors consistent with these rules and customs. Following these
rules and customs are what we mean by polite behavior or good manners.
The curriculum contains six modules: Rules Help Us, Respecting Others, Put Your Best Foot Forward,
Mealtime Manners, Good Sportsmanship and Electronic Manners (telephone and internet). For Pre K-1st
grade I have stories that I read to the class and the stories are interactive with the students.
Grades: K-3
Illinois Learning Standards: Social Science, Language Arts
Duration: 6 Lessons—lasting 15-45 minutes depending upon the lesson
Materials: Notebook
Leader’s Guide may be purchased for $3.00. Contact our office for information.
Operation Safe Kids: Safety Training for Children: This program was developed to help
children learn important skills that could save their lives. The program contains six interactive lessons: 1.
Personal safety; 2. Coping with fear, loneliness and boredom; 3. Getting along with others; 4.
Emergencies and first aid; 5. Kitchen safety and nutritious snacks and 6. Building confidence. The
curriculum comes with handouts for parents. Handouts are available in both English and Spanish.
Grades: 2-4
Illinois Learning Standards: Social skills, Health
Duration: 6 sessions, 45 minutes each
Materials: notebook. The notebook may be purchased for $38.00
Social Science
Tomorrow’s Leaders: This high school curriculum is designed to develop citizens who care about and
contribute to their communities. By helping students discover how Illinois local governments solve the
problems closest to us (such as good roads, strong schools, effective fire and police protection and safe
water supplies) we will build an informed citizenry ready to assume leadership roles in their communities.
Activities offer the ability to include and invite your local government officials into the class to
discuss their jobs. There is time to do a lot of reflective discussion about the activities
completed.
Grades: 9-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Social Science, History
Duration: 8 units, variety of activities
Materials: A notebook, student handbook for units 1, 2 and 8. CD ROM. I can assist in the
implementation of these activities.
Training is necessary to use the materials. Call to learn more.
Diversity
Polish Adventures Kit: This kit provides for an opportunity for youth to experience the Polish culture.
Using a passport, the youth place a sticker in their book when they have accomplished a specific task.
Youth will learn about the tradition of Polish paper cutting, foods and clothes. Youth will have fun
learning Polish words through bingo.
Grades: 3-5
Illinois Learning Standards: Science, Language Arts, Arts
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Duration: Varies
Materials: Passports, stickers, bingo cards, paper cutting materials supplied. You provide the
food.
Consumer Education/Workforce Preparation
Going Solo: is a complete package for guiding aspiring entrepreneurs into the world of
business ownership. It offers a unique experience where the participants design and make a
jewelry product and work together to market, advertise and sell the product. The product is part
of the computer simulation game where students, who form companies, compete against other
companies to see who can be the top seller. Very Hands-on.
Grades: 9-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Math, Social Science
Duration: 17 lessons; there are several activities with each lesson, time varies. There are several oneminute lessons to teach.
Materials: Kit can be checked out that includes the lessons. If wanting to do the computer simulation
game, I have a student handbook, teacher manual, disk for computer simulation game and two bead kits.
A Job for Me:
Activities to build self-confidence; tips on finding a job, dressing for success and writing resumes that get
noticed. I do practice interviews with the students as well.
Grades: 7-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Language Arts, Social Science
Duration: varies with activities, may assign homework
Materials: I have the guide available.
Available for purchase:
Notebook w/floppy disk: $20 Notebook w/CD ROM: $30
Me & My Money Game:
Game is designed to increase understanding of 5 concepts related to managing money—earning, saving,
spending, borrowing, sharing. This is a really good interactive game to teach the concepts.
Grades: 4-7
Illinois Learning Standards: Math
Duration: may take a couple of classroom periods to finish the game.
Materials: You may purchase the CD for $10.00 (includes instructions for making game board/how to
play; guides for teaching money management to youth). Contact Kelly at the office on how to order if
interested.
Today’s Choices, Tomorrow Realities:
This activity goes along with the Welcome to the Real World program or it can be by itself. Find out how
3 local agencies incorporate their resources to help students take a real-life approach to decision-making.
The presentation stresses time and money management as it affects future choices. It has been presented
in LaSalle and Bureau County Schools. (We do a segment on the impact of becoming a teen parent and
how that affects life’s choices and fiscal responsibilities only.) We have several hands-on activities that
we do within this program.
Grades: 9-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Math, Economics, Social Studies
Materials: Student workbook
Duration: Varies depending upon your interests for the class.
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Welcome to the Real World:
Active, hands-on, real-life simulation; career, lifestyle and budget choices; write checks for bills. New to
game is a debit card.
Grades: 6-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Math, Economics, Social Studies
Duration: 3-hour workshop or 6 or 9 session format. The simulation may take 2 class periods.
Materials: Instructor’s CD is $40
I have available notebook, boards & wheel for simulation, checkbooks. I would suggest an
orientation for the students before going through the simulation.
Wild Over Work (WOW!): This program focuses on skills that children need to succeed in the work
world today and in the future. WOW! Focuses on four themes related to workforce preparation: 1. Work
around me, 2. Work in my community, 3. Work around the world and 4. Work in my future. Students
will have the opportunity to learn about jobs available to them, what jobs are being done in their
community and what skills or interests they have.
Grades: K-6
Illinois Learning Standards: Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science
Duration: 4 sessions, 40-50 minutes each.
Materials: Teacher’s manual can be purchased for $15.00.
Our kit is available for checkout. You have to supply the materials.
Nutrition Programs and Resources
The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is a federally funded nutrition program targeted toward families
eligible for food stamp assistance and designed to teach the importance of making healthier food choices.
FNP staff provides hands-on, learning activities for youth, assisted by their classroom teachers. The
following are basic programs that are offered. Additional information and resources are available upon
request. There is no cost for any of these programs or materials. When requesting a program, please call
4 to 6 weeks in advance of your preferred date to allow for appropriate scheduling.
Illinois Learning Standards: Family Nutrition Programs for school audiences correlate with the
Physical Development and Health, State Goal 22 A: Explain the basic principles of health promotion,
illness prevention and safety.
State Goal 22B: Describe and explain the factors that influence health among individuals, groups and
communities.
State Goal 22 C: Explain how the environment can affect health.
State Goal 23 A: Describe and explain the structure and functions of the human body systems and how
they interrelate.
State Goal 23 B: Explain the effects of health-related actions on the body systems.
State Goal 23 C: Describe factors that affect growth and development
Food Safety/Handwashing
Glitter Bug is a one-session presentation appropriate for any age level, incorporating use of a
commercially developed lotion. Glitter Bug helps teach the importance of cleanliness and proper hand
washing. FNP staff will utilize Glitter Bug lotion, which casts a revealing glow when exposed to a
standard UV light. “Glitter Bug” gives a visual demonstration to show when improper cleaning or hand
washing has taken place and demonstrates contamination/transmission of germs. This program is
especially effective in lowering absenteeism due to colds and flu.
Contact: Steve Malinsky – County Director, e-mail: smalinsk@illinois.edu
Grades: PreK-adult
Duration: 30-45 minutes
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Exploring the Food Guidance System
The session will concentrate on introducing youth to the components of the Food Guide Pyramid and
instilling an interest in eating healthy foods. Active learning in this session will include activities with
food models and making a grade appropriate snack. All materials are provided by Family Nutrition
Program; however a cafeteria area is suggested for the session.
All sessions review the hand washing and Food Guide Pyramid.
Contact: Steve Malinsky - County Director, e-mail: smalinsk@illinois.edu
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Empty Calories: Fats, Salt & Sugar
This session will give participants an opportunity to become aware of the amount of salt, sugar, and the
types of fat in their diets. Test tubes showing the amount of fat in common fast foods and convenience
foods will be utilized, as well as worksheets and activities for the group to determine how much hidden
fat, salt, and sugar they are consuming. By learning how to read food labels, participants will learn to
make healthier food choices in their meals and daily snacks.
Contact: Steve Malinsky - County Director, e-mail: smalinsk@illinois.edu
Grades: All ages
Duration: 30-45 minutes
(The above are basic programs we offer; however, if you have a specific topic, please contact our office
regarding a presentation tailored for your group.)
Science Curricula:
ROCKETS AWAY: There are 3 lessons entitled: 1. Rockets & How They Move, 2. Moving Questions
about Rockets and 3. Let’s Get Launching. These lessons explore the basics of rocketry through a variety
of hands-on experiments. This curriculum consists of construction and launching of 2-liter rockets.
Grades: 9-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Science
Duration: There are about 3 or 4 activities, time varies
Materials: Teacher’s guide, student guide, Rocket Launcher Kit.
Teacher’s manual--$5 each; Student’s manual--$3 each
Wonder Wise Science Kits: Bring women scientists into your classroom for the ultimate science
field trip. This series of learning kits introduces you to women who have made science their career. The
kits available for check out include: Sea Otter Biologist, Pollen Detective, Rainforest Ecologist, Parasite
Sleuth, African Plant Explorer, Urban Ecologist, Space Geologist, Vet Detective and Genetic Counselor.
Grades: 4-5
Illinois Learning Standards: Science, Language Arts, Social Science, Math
Duration: 6 activities with each kit ranging from 45-60 minutes; some may take longer depending upon
the activity.
Materials: video, CD rom and activity workbook. I do have some supplies that I can provide.
Aerospace Kit: This is one of the favorites. Youth will have great time learning about aerospace by
making paper airplanes, straw rockets, balloon shuttles and rockets. Along with the fun, youth are able to
learn what makes airplanes fly, why wind is important and why weight is a factor in flight. This is a
really hands on kit and has been one of the favorites during Camp Clover.
Grades: 3-5
Illinois Learning Standards: Science
Duration: Varies
Materials: some materials maybe provided.
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Incubation & Embryology
This course is designed for the K-8th grade teachers that are interested in the hatching of live chicks
through the use of an incubator. This Unit will engage classroom participation.
Contact person: Sheila Thomas, Community Worker 4-H
Youth and Family
Grades: K-8
Learning Standards: Biological Science, Physical Science, Fine Arts, Physical, Development & Health,
Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Science
Duration: 28 days
Materials: Incubator, web access, eggs, staff support
Environmental Education
The Leopold Education Project: Lessons in a Land Ethic: The curriculum is designed to instill
a land ethic among tomorrow’s stewards by providing direct experience with the natural world. Based on
Leopold’s classic literary work, A Sand County ALMANAC, the LEP is both hands-on and
interdisciplinary in its approach. The Leopold Education Project is a critical part of Pheasants Forever’s
continuing efforts to promote thoughtful land stewardship.
Grades: 6-12
Illinois Learning Standards: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Science
Duration: Varies
Materials: We have copies of the A Sand County ALMANAC and activities.
Kits available for checkout:
Smores and More: This kit shows how one can make his/her own stove using a coffee can, a burner
from a tuna can and a backpack from a pair of jeans. The kit includes items needed for outdoor camping
or survival. This would be a great way to teach outdoor survival skills or to learn how to do outdoor
cooking. There are several recipes students can make. Each class has to provide their own coffee cans,
tuna cans and jeans—can work in groups of 4.
Grades: 4-5.
Illinois Learning Standards: Science, Health
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Materials: supplies that can be used outdoors
Other Kits Available:
Bicycle Safety: This kit talks about the importance of bicycle safety. The kit comes with several
activities that the youth can participate in; although the students need to have their bicycles there for the
activities. The kit comes with a gelatin mold of a brain that can be used to discuss why using a helmet is
important.
Grades: 2-5.
Illinois Learning Standards: Health
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials: Students need to have their bikes, helmets, other materials for a bike rodeo course.
Cloverbud Kit: This kit consists of several different lessons: Plants & Animals, Science & Technology,
Communicative Expressive Arts, Healthy Lifestyle, Environmental/Earth Science, Personal Development,
Citizenship/Civic Education and Consumerism/Family Science. Each lesson comes with visual aids to
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teach the lesson and a notebook to go along with each lesson. In some cases there is a storybook that goes
along with the lesson.
Grades: K-2.
Illinois Learning Standards: Health, Nutrition, Science, Social Science.
Duration: 12 lessons, but you may only check out one lesson for a week. Varies
Materials: Lessons come with visual aids, guidebook with additional lessons, some cases a storybook
accompanies the lesson.
Computer Mysteries: This kit comes with a computer part that can be pulled apart to explore the
insides of a computer and put back together. It comes with a computer lesson guide and several activities
to participate in to learn about the computer. It’s a great way for youth to learn about the insides of a
computer.
Grades: 4-5.
Illinois Learning Standards: Science, Technology
Duration: Time varies
Materials: computer lesson guide/computer part
Theatre Arts:
Explore your dramatic side and enter the world of the theatre. Students learn how to use their
voices, emotions, and body language to create a skit using puppets. Activities include
pantomime skits, creating their puppets and creating a skit.
Grades: 2-5
Illinois Learning Standards: Fine Arts, Language Arts
Duration: 4 sessions of 40-50 minutes each
GPS:
We have a GPS kit available for checkout. There are 10 units plus activities that help students learn how
to use them.
Grades: 7-12
4-H School Enrichment Programs available for teacher delivery
Three additional nutrition curricula are currently available for classroom use:
Exploring America’s Food Heritage
Sports Nutrition
The Science of Food
The three projects contain manuals for each students and a leader’s guide. The materials are written for
teacher presentation series of 6 to 10 sessions each, in grades 3-5, and easily adaptable for jr. high youth.
Illinois Learning Standards: Physical Development and Health
Natural Resources & Conservation Education Programs:
The following programs are available through a partnership between the LaSalle
County Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of Illinois
Extension. Contact Linda Roberts at llrobert@illinois.edu to schedule a program.
Kindergarten- Trees
This program will share the importance of trees with the students and will help them realize what role
trees play in our everyday lives. The program will also help students better understand their role in
helping the environment. The students will create a tree craft to celebrate everything trees give us.
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One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal12.B1a: Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their
environments.
Kindergarten – Butterflies
This program will introduce students to the wonder and beauty of butterflies. The students will learn
about food chains and life cycles. We will also look at what types of plants/habitats are needed to help
conserve these beautiful creatures. They will end the program by making a butterfly craft.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal 12.A: Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change.
1st Grade - Circle of Earth
This introductory conservation program touches on the basic principles of natural resource conservation:
soil, water, air quality, wildlife, and their preservation. As an activity, students make a simple “Circle of
Earth” bracelet from beads, with each color representing a different requirement for life on our planet.
Students will also watch a great video on ecology titled, “Everyday is Earth Day on the Farm.”
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal 12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and
with their environment.
1st Grade - Bats
This program introduces students to bat characteristics and habitats and also how people are endangering
these fascinating nocturnal mammals. Students will learn the importance of these mammals and why we
should help protect them.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal 12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and
with their environment.
2nd Grade -The Incredible Edible Landfill
This popular program discusses the history of garbage, smart consumer choices, the consequences of poor
choices, and the basic physical properties of a landfill. Students build their own “landfill” from edible
components as we discuss how to reduce the amount of waste we generate. At the end, they get to eat
their creations!
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal: 13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology,
and society.
2nd Grade - Birds
This program will share the wonder of birds with the students. The students will learn more about the
backyard birds of Illinois, including how to identify them. The students will learn what they can do to
help our feathery friends and will be making bird “snacks” to take home and hang outside for them.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal 12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and
with their environment.
3rd Grade - Animal Tracks
This program will introduce students to Arthur Dorros’s book Animal Tracks. Participants will be better
able to match an animal with its track and be introduced to/review the meaning of “herbivore”,
“carnivore”, and “omnivore”. The students will participate at activity stations that will enable students to
see the tracks that animals make as they walk within their habitat, and therefore the importance of keeping
habitats as intact, natural, and clean as possible.
One 45 minute lesson.
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State Goal 12.B2b Identify physical features of plants and animals that help them live in different
environments.
3rd Grade - Just a Dream
This program will introduce students to Chris Van Allsburg’s book, Just a Dream. Through their “My
Dream” drawings and the class discussion, students will realize the important role recycling today will
play on helping them to make their “dreams” of a beautiful future come true.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal: 13.B.2f Analyze how specific personal and societal choices that humans make affect local or
regional ecosystems.
4th Grade – Illinois Prairie
Learn about how the Illinois prairie was formed, and the plants and animals found on our prairie lands.
Students will practice learning the names of our native plants and animals by playing learning games.
State Goal: 12.B. Identify physical features of plants and animals that help them live in different
environments.
4th Grade – Soil
Students will learn about the important role soil plays in our lives. Activities will reinforce concepts
presented.
State Goal: 12.E. Describe and explain short term and long term interactions of Earth’s components.
5th Grade - Enviroscape Model
The Enviroscape resembles a miniature community, complete with houses, factories, a golf course, and a
farm. Students add “pollutants” usually associated with the presence of these things and are able to see
how one’s actions can affect other parts of a community. Possible solutions for the problems created are
discussed.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal: 13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology,
and society.
6th Grade - Trash Crisis
Students will see how much trash is being thrown away and the problem trash has become while watching
parts of “NYC’s Dirty Secret: The Trash Crisis.” Groups of students will then become experts on one of
the following conservation methods: source reduction; recycling; composting; waste-to-energy; and
sanitary landfills. Groups will make a poster explaining their conservation method and its advantages and
disadvantages to communities. Group posters will be used to teach the concept learned to their fellow
classmates. A class discussion will follow the presentations to help to determine if one method is better
then all of the rest, or if they all need to be used to help keep our communities clean.
One 60 minute lesson.
State Goal: 13.B. 3e Identify advantages and disadvantages of natural resource conservation and
management programs.
6th Grade – Career Critters
Through a small group activity, students evaluate how wild animals and plants can be used to manage
some environmental problems.
One 45 minute lesson.
State Goal 12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and
with their environment.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd-6th Grade-Birds of Prey- Please contact JoAnn Adams at ajadams@cin.net for the Birds of Prey
program.
Preserved specimens of a Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, and Red-tailed Hawk and two Merlins
can visit your classroom. Discussion includes physical characteristics, habitat, wildlife preservation laws,
and endangered species status.
One 40-60 minute lesson given by JoAnn Adams.
State Goal: 12A. Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change.
12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their
environment.
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LaSalle County Unit
1689 N. 31st Road, Suite 2
Ottawa, IL. 61350
(815) 433-0707
Fax: (815) 433-5454
September 10, 2008
Dear Principal,
We are happy to send you our catalog of school enrichment programs for this year. The
members of the Extension staff are ready to bring these programs to your students. The catalog
is also posted on our website www.extension.uiuc.edu/lasalle under the 4-H symbol on the left
side of the page. Many of these programs come to schools without any fee, some have a small
fee for materials.
We hope that you will share this information with your teachers. The contact person for each
program is listed in the catalog. They are ready to talk to your teachers, answer questions, and
schedule programs.
We are also looking for new ways in which the Extension can serve the students and teachers of
LaSalle County. We would be happy to hear your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Steve Malinsky
County Extension Director
smalinsk@illinois.edu
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