Curriculum & Resources
1. Crayfish Curriculum
2. Climate Education Resources
3. Litter Free Resources
Are you looking to enhance an existing curriculum with some additional lessons, resources, or teaching methods? Are you in need of an entire unit on rivers or water? Friends teaches a variety of workshops for all grades and skill levels. If you need help planning a Chicago River unit, or wish to use the Chicago River for your students' studies, please contact our education staff to set up a free planning meeting.
Investigating Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems
Available on the Invasive Crayfish Collaborative website.
The use of live crayfish in classrooms has been identified as a pathway for the introduction of invasive crayfish into our local waterways. To address this issue, this curriculum was developed to teach students about Great Lakes ecosystems, the significance of native crayfish, and the ecological threats posed by invasive crayfish. It contains nine engaging lesson plans. The curriculum is best suited for students in grades 6–12 but offers numerous adaptations/extensions to meet the divergent needs of students in grades 2–5.
Reynolds, R., Reynolds, K., and Szklaruk, N. (2025).
Document IISG25-RCE-EDU-019.
Engaging Every Student, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Illinois Climate Education Hub
A hub of trusted resources, vetted by scientists and reviewed by teachers, to help Illinois educators bring climate and sustainability literacy to students across the state. The Illinois Climate Education Hub is a free, one-stop website designed to support educators in bringing climate and sustainability topics into their classrooms with confidence. You do not need to be a climate expert. The Hub offers trusted, high-quality resources that are easy to integrate into existing instruction. All grades, all subjects, all students.
Creating a Litter Free Chicago/Calumet River System
The Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative reduces the amount of trash harming our waterways by working with community and government leaders to develop strong public policy and comprehensive litter reduction programs. This multi-pronged approach includes litter research and engaging residents and local companies in local cleanup efforts to keep our rivers clean for all.
Teachers learn how to integrate the Chicago River into their classrooms during a workshop with Friends
“Even on a rainy, cold spring day, my 8th graders had a truly valuable nature-education experience at the Chicago River. I never heard a single complaint, and the students could not stop talking about their positive experiences once we got back into class the next day.”
Jennifer Stubbs, Young Women's Leadership Charter School
“The river program is a highly creative, intensive way to teach students hand-on about ecology and engage them socially to preserve the quality of nature.”
Sue Groziak, Taft High School
