School Programs

Ever wonder what Abraham Lincoln did before he was President of the United States? This program will help your students learn about Lincoln the Lawyer, his friends and associates in McLean County, his impact on McLean County history, and how several important McLean County citizens helped Lincoln get elected as the nation's 16th President. Activities include guided interactive exploration of the Museum's Abraham Lincoln in McLean County exhibit, a craft station, and will learn about Lincoln's travels as a lawyer by playing the "Take the Eighth Judicial Circuit Challenge" game in our courtroom.

In this three-part program, students will be introduced to the various migrant and immigrant groups who have made McLean County their home and continue to shape the county we know today. Activities include guided interactive exploration of the Museum's Making a Home exhibit, a craft station, and play time in the Museum's hands-on Discovery Room.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, to defend said conclusions with supportive evidence, to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context, and to better understand the global interactions between the people of McLean County and the rest of the world.

In this two-part program, students will explore lifeways of early settlers in what is now McLean County through immersive, object-based activities. Students will examine period items and discuss means of travel in the Museum's Making a Home exhibit, as well as visit the Museum's hands-on Discovery Room where they can dress in period clothing, milk a cow, harvest corn, plow a field, and more.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, and to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context.

Featuring the Museum's exhibit Farming in the Great Corn Belt, this program explores themes such as: food culture, advancements in farming technology, animal husbandry, history of corn planting in McLean County, urban sprawl, and more. Activities include exhibit exploration, hands-on manipulation of period artifacts, and the option of seed planting or butter making. Contact the Education Department for specific details. Program can be adapted for older students.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context, and to better understand the relationship between people and the geography of McLean County.

Toys and games may have changed from generation to generation, but the process of learning through play is as old as time. In this program students will investigate how modes of play have evolved over the last 300 years in McLean County. Students will not only experience the history of these toys and games firsthand, but will also craft their own toy to take home.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, and to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context.

In this customizable program, students will explore the idea of museum literacy by completing activities inspired by the roles of a museum curator. Students will actively examine the effectiveness of an existing museum exhibit from the perspective of a museum visitor, will consider the relationship between objects on display and informational text in a museum exhibit, and will have the opportunity to draft a design of their own museum exhibit. Elements of this program can be incorporated into other relevant program offerings upon request. Content can also be scaled for older students.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, and to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context.

In this two-part program students will learn about the people native to McLean County, including those of the Kickapoo tribe. Students will explore the Museum's Making a Home exhibit - complete with a replica wigwam - and will engage in hands-on manipulation of period artifacts. Students will be taught period games, as well as learn how to grind corn, and use a pump drill. Native traditions pertaining to food, clothing, home life, and family roles will be discussed. Program can be adapted for older students.

Standards: This program satisfies various Illinois Social Science standards by encouraging students to consider and determine answers to essential questions, to verbally communicate their inquiries and conclusions, and to address the ideas of change, continuity, and context.