Facilitated Workshops

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During a Facilitated Workshop at CCM, your group will experience an in-depth guided visit to one specific exhibit in conjunction with a hands-on workshop led by a museum educator. It’s a great way to kick off or culminate a themed unit in your classroom! All of our facilitated workshops are aligned with Illinois State Learning Standards.

Secrets of Circles Cyberchase: The Chase is On! Art About Me Arts in Action Be A Bug Story Forest Paleo-Play

Dinosaur Expedition Insect Investigators Inside/Out Art Inventing Lab! Secrets of Painting Skyline WaterWays

Registration Information

Fees: Workshops only: Workshop plus museum exploration: Capacity:

$4.50 per student $5.50 per student Minimum group size: 15 students Maximum group size: 35 students (K-5th); 20 students (pre-K)>

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Temporary Workshops 2008

Secrets of Circles Kindergarten-3rd Grade
Available September 15th, 2008-January 16th, 2009
Psst...Do you know the secrets of circles?  In this workshop, students will explore the world of circles, making discoveries about the basic properties of this most useful shape.  We will uncover how circles are used in art, nature, technology and cultures throughout the world and will create an interactive story that demonstrates what life would be like without circles!
Illinois Learning Goals: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 21, 26

Cyberchase: The Chase is On! Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Available February 16th-May 15th, 2009
Based on the popular PBS Kids television series, Cyberchase, this exhibit and workshop experience will inspire students to solve problems and get to the bottom of mathematical mysteries!  This workshop will focus on key mathematical concepts including data collection, measuring and questioning.  Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively to solve a mathematical problem through a fun, physical challenge!
Illinois Learning Goals: 4 ,6, 7, 8, 10, 21
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a Major Supporter of Cyberchase.

 

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Early Learning Workshops

Art About Me (in My Museum)  Age 3-Kindergarten
This interactive workshop, based on the book The Skin You Live In, helps teachers deal with complex topics such as diversity, prejudice, self-esteem and acceptance. It features an age-appropriate puppet show as well as an opportunity for students to create puppets that represent their own unique characteristics.
Illinois Early Learning Goals: 1, 4, 5, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32

Arts in Action Age 3-Kindergarten
Explore the squiggly, straight, long and short world of lines in our Artabounds Studio! This workshop uses visual art, creative movement and literacy to help children recognize that lines of many kinds are everywhere. Students will create lines in tactile, fun and wacky ways with unique art materials and with their own bodies.
Illinois Early Learning Goals:  4, 5, 19, 25, 26,

Be A Bug (in Big Backyard) Age 3- Kindergarten 
Explore our oversized garden from an insect’s point of view! Dramatic play, creative movement and science combine to help students learn more about insects. Students will make wearable wings and try different insect jobs as they learn what makes insects special. 
Illinois Early Learning Goals: 1, 4, 5, 11, 12, 19, 21

Story Forest  Age 3-Kindergarten
The alphabet has moved into our Treehouse Trails exhibit! Students will practice early literacy skills while using natural materials to create unique alphabets, fishing for letters from a canoe, and writing with the help of a waterfall. Everyone will need to be on the lookout for secret words hidden throughout the story forest—you’ll need them to make an adventure book to take home!
Illinois Early Learning Goals: 1, 3, 4, 5, 19, 21

Paleo-Play  Age 3-Kindergarten
How big is a dinosaur’s toe? What did a dinosaur eat for breakfast? In this active and imaginative workshop, young explorers will dance and dig their way to understanding dinosaurs better.  With a scale model of Suchomimus, a carnivorous dinosaur, buried in our Dinosaur Expedition exhibit, there are many discoveries to be made.
Illinois Early Learning Goals: 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 17

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School Age Workshops

Dinosaur Expedition  Kindergarten – Grade 5
Students will expand their knowledge of paleontology through hands-on discovery in this re-creation of the 1997 Saharan expedition that uncovered Suchomimus, a never-before-seen species of dinosaur. "Junior paleontologists" will dig for bones at the excavation site, examine their findings in the lab, and explore the life of this unique dinosaur.
Illinois State Learning Goals: 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 17A

Insect Investigators   Grades 1- 2
How do butterflies help flowers to grow and why do plants love for ladybugs to land on them? Students will learn about the important work that insects do by taking on the role of an insect.  They will draw on both science and literacy skills as they solve rhyming riddles about insects and create an oversized collaborative book.   
Illinois State Learning Goals: 1, 4, 5, 11, 12, 19, 21

Inside/Out Art   Grades 1- 5
Turn yourself inside out! In this identity-themed workshop, students will think about the many things that make themselves unique—including what’s on the inside—like personal strengths and future hopes. Students will discuss the importance of understanding others and will express themselves creatively through art-making.
Illinois State Learning Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 18, 21, 25, 26, 27

Inventing Lab!  Grades 2 – 5
This dynamic inventing laboratory invites students to solve problems using science inquiry skills. They will invent a unique alarm clock and create a flying machine to launch from a 55-foot tower. Students also will team up in our classic Golf Ball Challenge to devise their own Rube Goldberg-style invention.
Illinois State Learning Goals 4, 5, 11, 12

Secrets of Painting  Grades 1 – 5
Unlock the secrets of painting with a visit to our working art studio.  This workshop gives students a first-hand understanding of artist tools, techniques and concepts through a series of investigative activities about basic art elements.  Students will apply these newfound discoveries as they create unique works of art to take home.
Illinois State Learning Goals: 4, 5, 18A, 25, 26,

Skyline  Grades 1-5
Build your own skyscraper!  Students will learn how tall buildings stand up by using science, engineering, and math skills.  Teamwork is a top priority while collaborating to create unique structures.  Innovative technology will help students document and reflect on the building process, both during the workshop and, later, on the Internet.
Illinois State Learning Goals: 4, 5, 11, 12, 9, 16A

WaterWays  Grades 1 – 5
This “splashy” exhibit allows students to pump, squirt and manipulate water while learning about the multi-functional uses of this life-sustaining substance.  By designing and building an aqueduct system, students will gain first-hand knowledge of how water is moved from one place to another and how its power is used to accomplish many functions.
Illinois State Learning Goals: 4, 5, 11, 12, 17A