School Programs

Professional Youth Educator Shannon Range can provide a wide variety of hands-on, fun but educational programs to Grundy and Kankakee County schools, libraries, and other youth focused organizations.

The programs tie directly to Next Generation Science Standards and thus, build on prior knowledge. ​  Most programs include projects or hands-on activities.  In most cases, there’s no cost to the school.

SCHEDULING - Once you have selected a topic, please view the dates/times on my availability calendar and email me a list of THREE dates that would work with your class/es in the order of preference.  I will get back to you as soon as I can to let you know which date/times works with my schedule. 
COVID-19 NOTICE:  Effective immediately, ALL face-to-face events organized by Illinois Extension have been cancelled, suspended, or transitioned to online delivery. This will apply to all events previously scheduled through May 31, 2020
Overview:
  • ​We conduct a quick review of prior knowledge before starting each program to ensure we don’t cover terminology and concepts the students are not familiar with. 
  • In many life sciences programs, live or mounted animals can be brought to help reinforce learning.  
  • Programs are typically 45 minutes but are flexible depending on activities and available time.
  • We can combine grades and classrooms if needed.

Below are just a few programs we can provide (program names are in bold/yellow).  Others are available – just let us know what you are looking for.  Our schedules from February until the end of the year are starting to fill.  If you would like to schedule programming, please let us know as soon as possible. ​
ALL OF OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS are available for the schools and homeschool groups.

Sample 4th & 5th Grade Programs
​
  • 4-LS1-1 Plant & Animal Structures to support life (macroscopic only)
    • Students will examine a variety of plants or animals to determine the structures they have to support survival, growth, behavior and reproduction.
    • Students will construct an argument that supports how different structures support life.  Examples include cacti have thorns to protect them from predators and many animals use camouflage to hide from prey.
  • 4-LS1-2 Animal Senses & Responses (information transfer)
    • Students will examine a variety of animals to determine what senses animals use to process and respond to information. 
    • Students will construct an argument that supports how different animals use their senses for survival.  For example, bats have better hearing than humans.  How do their structures support this?
  • 5-LS1-1(Plant Needs) Plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water
    • Students will examine a variety of plants and determine the air and water needs of each type of plant
    • Can plants grow without soil?
    • What happens if plants have no air?
    • What happens if plants have no water?
    • Do plants grow better in well water or tap water? 
  • 5-LS2-1 (Movement of Matter)  Matter is moved among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment
    • Food chains and food webs
    • Who eats what and where does it go after it’s eaten

Contact us to Schedule
For additional information or to schedule a program in your school, your youth club or homeschool meeting, please email Shannon Range, 4-H Youth Educator at SLRange@illinois.edu.