My River Unit

Lessons on the River

1. Chicago River Science Lessons

2. Chicago River History Lessons

3. Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge Lessons

4. Watershed & Ecology Lessons

5. GIS Mapping & Environmental Justice Lessons

6. Climate Education & Litter Free Lessons

7. Additional Lessons in Taking Action

8. View our existing K-12 Curricula

Friends has many lesson plans to teach about the river, most developed in partnership with teachers. Integrate these lessons into your curriculum to contextualize and focus your students’ learning on a local natural resource. If you are a new teacher, Friends can assist you with an in-class presentation. You can even create your own river unit with these lessons by teaching them before and after a field trip. Find a lesson that fits your needs here.

Lessons are organized by subject and then by grade. If you don't see what you are looking for here, we might have something similar or we could work with you to create it. Contact our education staff for more information.

Chicago River Science Lessons

What is a River? (K-2)
Erosion: Natural or Unnatural? (5-8)
What is a Watershed? (6-12)
Water Quality Tests Explained (7-12)
What Does Stream Flow Tell Us? (9-12)

Chicago River History Lessons

Times Have Changed (K-2)
The Chicago River's Journey Through Time (K-2)
I've Felt the Same Way (K-4)
Rivers through Time (3-4)
The History of Your Chicago River (3-8)
CSO, Oh NO! (4-12)
Getting a Sense of Time (7-8)
Backward Goes It Does (5-8)
Backward Goes It Does (9-12)

Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge Lessons

A Bridge Going Up and Down (K-3)
A Bridge in Balance (3-5)
The Mag Mile and Torque (9-12)

Watershed & Ecology Lessons

Field Guide for the River (3)
Building an Ecosystem (6-12)
Biodiversity: Who Cares? (6-12)
Biodiversity in Nature (6-12)
Who Lives in the River? (7-12)
Oh Deer (5-8) Project WILD
How Many Bears Can Live in The Forest (5-8) Project WILD
Monitoring Floristic Quality (9-12)

GIS Mapping & Environmental Justice Lessons

Basic Map Skills (3-5)
This lesson includes resources that you will need to download separately:

Exploring Community Maps (6-8)
Mapping Environmental Justice (9-12)
This lesson includes resources that you will need to download separately:

Climate Education & Litter Free Lessons

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.

Litter Free Curriculum (5-12)
Credit Micah Zaker, Gunsaulus Scholastic Academy
This lesson includes resources that you will need to download separately:

Sum of the Parts (5-8) Project WET
Who Polluted the River (7-12)
Link to Litter Free Activities for a field trip
Plastic Pollution Curriculum and Activity Guide (K-12) 5Gyres

Additional Lessons in Taking Action

Connecting Land and Water (3-4)
Choices Make a Difference (5-6)
Think! Beyond the Banks (5-12)
This lesson includes resources that you will need to download separately:

Background Information

These handouts provide additional information for you and your students.

What Makes a River Healthy?
A Brief History of the Chicago River
What are the eight biggest problems facing the Chicago River today?


Checking to see what's in the net - maybe a crayfish? A student from Drummond Elementary School samples water quality.

“Being a part of the Chicago River Schools Network has given me a fun, interactive way to teach students about their natural surroundings and to create projects that combine the arts and sciences.”

Amy Andrews, Mozart School