Learning Adventures for Schools!
School Programs and Tours 2010-2011 Download the PDF Brochure here >
Naper Settlement invites your classroom to step into the past and join us for a lesson in Northern Illinois heritage.

Our unique school programs provide an opportunity for students to experience what they usually only study in textbooks. History lessons come alive in our village, with sights and sounds of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Our programs also fulfill many Illinois Learning Standards in the Social Science category.

Our village is filled with a variety of historic homes, shops, businesses and exhibit areas including the Log House, Blacksmith Shop and Copenhagen Schoolhouse, to name a few. Costumed villagers bring the village to life as they re-create the time of our earliest settlers to turn-of-the-century Victorian opulence, providing insights into daily life, work or school days.

For information or to make reservations call our Education Department at 630.420.4161 or e-mail us at grouptours@naperville.il.us

Your group must have a confirmed reservation to visit Naper Settlement. Call well in advance, as some programs fill up quickly. Before calling, have the following information ready: name of the program you are reserving, number of students, number of classrooms, number of adults (chaperone requirements vary by program, please inquire for minimums), the date you'd like to visit, plus alternate dates.

Time Travel Trip (All grades) Offered April through October
Step back in time as you meet costumed villagers along your self-guided route. Follow the development of a typical Northern Illinois town as it grows from a frontier outpost to a thriving agricultural and industrial community. See demonstrations of 19th century trades and crafts.
Available 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
$6 per student. $8.50 per additional adult
Allow 3 1/2 to 4 hours, plus time for lunch
Capacity: 400 students per day
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 15, 16 & 18

School for Tools (3rd through 5th Grades) Offered in December, January, February and March
The lifestyle of the 1800s comes alive through sight, sound and smell as students visit the Blacksmith Shop, Print Shop and Log House. Students participate in hands-on activities, guided by costumed educators, to introduce concepts related to chores and common trades of the time period. The two-hour program includes an interactive stop in the Copenhagen Schoolhouse where students learn as if it were yesterday.
2 hours, four stops, $7 per student (Min. 2 classes/Max. 4 classes) (or minimum fee of $210)
2½ hours, five stops, $7.75 per student (Min. 3 classes/Max. 5 classes) (or minimum fee of $435)
Buildings subject to change without notice.
E-mail grouptours@naperville.il.us or call 630.420.4161 for information regarding groups larger than 5 classes.
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 15 & 17

The History Connection (Preschool through 3rd Grades)
Young children connect to history in a fun and exciting way at the popular History Connection. This interactive exhibit allows children to play with history and learn about life in the 1800s through old-fashioned toys and games, dress-up and make-believe.
$2 per student

Voices of the Past: The Underground Railroad in Northern Illinois (5th through 8th Grades) Offered January, February and March
This exciting and emotive program is really theatre in our buildings with your students participating in the experience by taking on the roles of 1856 scholars. Along the way, they meet townspeople who offer many different perspectives about the issues of the day, among them an abolitionist, an Irish immigrant and a runaway slave. Where do your students stand on the issues of the day? This program is an excellent reinforcement to Civil War period classroom studies.
2-hour program
$7.50 per student, $7.50 per additional adult (or minimum program fee of $300)
Min. 40/Max. 80
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 14 & 16

Living History (4th grade; limited to Naperville schools) Offered November
Bring the 1800s to life through hands-on work and play in our village, during this award-winning program.
$7.50 per student
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 15, 16, 17 & 18

Hunt for History-Discover Where Your Community Began
(Limited to Naperville Schools, 2nd grade)
Offered January
Students become detectives on their quest to learn about their community then and now. This interactive program will take students on a hunt throughout our village where costumed educators will challenge their knowledge.
2-hour program, $5 per student
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 15, 16, 17 & 18

 

We Bring History To You!

Old Fashioned School Days (1st-5th grade) Offered in December, January, February, March
Transform your 21st century classroom into a one-room schoolhouse. Your students will take on the role of 19th century students with a costumed schoolteacher leading the class. Our staff will provide old-fashioned classroom instruction and supplies, including slates, slate pencils and McGuffey Readers.
1 1/2 hours, $7.50 per student
(or minimum program fee of $175)
Min. 25/Max. 45
Consecutive programs may be booked
Illinois Learning Standard: Goal 18

Pioneer Fun (Pre-Kindergarten Classes 4/5 yr olds - 2nd grade)
Offered in December, January, February, March  
Let us introduce your students to the life of 19th century pioneer children at your location. Imagine being dressed in pioneer clothing, doing old-fashioned chores and walking in the tall grass alongside the family's Conestoga wagon. Students will participate in a craft project, so plan to have crayons or markers available.
1 1/2 hours, $7.50 per student (or minimum program fee of $175)
Min. 25/Max. 45
Consecutive programs may be booked
Illinois Learning Standards: Goals 16 & 18

 

Movin' In, Building a Town: The Story of Naperville

School Assembly
Your students are sure to enjoy this interactive musical concert on 19th century history without leaving their school! Tap your toes and clap your hands to a performance by award-winning singer and songwriter Amy Lowe.
1-hour performance with up to 300 students, $450
For additional performances on the same day, call 630.420.4161
For information on purchasing the CD for your classroom, call the Museum Store at 630.420.6016
This musical was created with the support of the City of Naperville, Naperville Heritage Society, Naperville Jaycees, Naperville Sunrise Rotary Fund For The Arts and the Tellabs Foundation.

Naper Settlement Museum Store
The Naper Settlement Museum Store provides a variety of excellent and unusual educational supplies such as books, posters, maps, postcards, toys, and souvenirs. Shopping reservations are required for all programs, with the exception of the Time Travel Trip. If time is limited, you may pre-shop using the order form that is included in your confirmation packet or Click Here  to see a partial list of these items which may be used by teachers or parents to plan or pre-select purchases. Fax your order directly to the store and materials will be waiting upon your group's arrival. The Museum Store is open during regular Settlement hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April-October. Additional hours can be arranged for winter programs; call the store at 630.420.6016 for assistance.

"Trading in Time: Bartering and Buying in the 1800s" CD-ROM
This interactive computer game teaches children about the economic life and social interaction of townspeople in the 1880s. Through a fun game, history, math and technology combine to teach children valuable lessons in lifestyles. Each CD includes lesson plans for teachers and a wonderful photo album of 19th century images straight from the pages of history. Pick up one for yourself or investigate purchasing the program for your school. E-mail:  educationmgr@naperville.il.us or call 630.420.6010 for more information.

Educational Facility: 1 CD-ROM $65  
Lab use:  up to 5 users $175
                up to 10 users $375
                unlimited use $595
Call for district pricing.