Program Packets for Teachers

For a printed paper copy of a program listed below, please email us your mailing address with the name of requested program or call our Education Programs Ranger/Specialist, Christine Gerlach, at 219-395-1885. You can also send your program request to:

Attn: Christine Gerald
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd.
Porter, IN 46304

The program packets include:

• program descriptions with theme, objectives, setting, and expectations;
• background information;
• suggested pre and post-visit classroom activities;
• a small evaluation and assessment for you and your students; and
• Indiana and Illinois state curriculum standards (Illinois list is lower on this page).

 

Indiana State Education Standards included

Program	Grade	season program is available
A Grain of Truth	4th - 6th	Spring, Summer, Fall
The Chellbergs had a Farm	Preschool - 3rd	Year-Round
Discover	Preschool - 3rd	Year-Round
Fall Fanfare	1st - 6th	October - November
Habitat Hike	4th - 12th	Year-Round
Lake Michigan Alive	4th - 12th	Year-Round
West Beach Walk	Preschool - 3rd	Fall-Winter-Spring
Maple Sugar Time	All Grades	first week of March
Pinhook Bog	6th - 12th	Mid April - Mid November
Potawatomi and Fur Traders	3rd - 8th	Year-Round
Reflections on Snow	5th - 12th	January - Mid February
Secrets of Succession	5th - 12th	Spring, Summer, Fall
Talk With the Animals	Preschool - 1st	Year-Round
Water World	4th-12th	April - October
Winter Exploration	3rd-6th	January - Mid February

 

Illinois State Education Standards included

Program	Grade	season program is available
A Grain of Truth	4th - 6th	Spring, Summer, Fall
The Chellbergs had a Farm	Preschool - 3rd	Year-Round
Discover	Preschool - 3rd	Year-Round
Fall Fanfare	1st - 6th	October - November
Habitat Hike	4th - 12th	Year-Round
Lake Michigan Alive	4th - 12th	Year-Round
West Beach Walk	Preschool - 3rd	Fall-Winter- Spring
Maple Sugar Time	All Grades	first week of March
Pinhook Bog	6th - 12th	Mid April - Mid November
Potawatomi and Fur Traders		Year-Round
Reflections on Snow	5th - 12th	January - Mid February
Secrets of Succession	5th - 12th	Spring, Summer, Fall
Talk With the Animals	Preschool - 1st	Year-Round
Water World	4th - 12th	April - October
Winter Exploration	3rd - 6th	January - Mid February

 

Program Descriptions

Program Descriptions

A Grain of Truth- Hike one mile along beach and foredune trails to learn about processes of glaciation,erosion and dune building.
The Chellbergs had a Farm- Visit a 1900 farm and participate in activities of work and play.
Discover- A sensory program immersing students in an atmosphere that promotes protection of nature and the park.
Fall Fanfare- Learn of fall activities and adaptations that plants and animals use to prepare for winter. 
Habitat Hike-Discover and explore the many habitats of the Indiana Dunes. 
Lake Michigan Alive-Learn the history and significance of Lake Michigan and how it impacts our lives. 
Mt. Baldy Moves & West Beach Walks-Learn how wind, water,waves and plants work together to form dunes. Discover ways humans can alter or save the dunes. 
Maple Sugar Time- Discover how maple sugar affected peoples' lives. Learn about technological advances in maple sugar production.
Pinhook Bog- Learn about this special geological feature of the region while walking on a board walk floating on sphagnum moss and seeing the diverse plant life of the bog including insect eating plants and tamarack trees. 
Potawatomi and Fur Traders- Learn about the lifestyles of the Native Americans as they lived with the land and the traders as they came to the region. 
Reflections on Snow-Explore animal tracking , predator/ prey relationships and winter habitats while hiking or cross country skiing in Miller Woods. 
Secrets of Succession- Students will discover the forces that shape the dunes and produce the unique succession of plants. 
Talk With the Animals-In this puppet show students will see how animals and plants of the outdoors work as neighbors to help one another. 
Water World- Students will investigate the rich diversity of an interdunal pond and examine the pond's surrounding ecosystem of plants and animals. 
Winter Explorations- Students will understand how plants and animals adapt to survive the winter through discussion and hike.