Check out some fun!

 

Discovery Packs are hands-on educational kits available to teachers, day care providers, youth leaders, and program directors. Please call 367-4210 ext. 3031 to reserve one or more Discovery Pack(s).

(Packs are checked out for one week. A refundable deposit of $20 per pack is required at pickup. Click here to view our loan policies. Link to Policies.)

 

 

Natural History

 

Mammoth Hunters
Grades 2 - 8
Applicable to 6th Grade History Standards
Ice Age giants used to roam the plains; bring them back with this pack! Students can see castings of actual mammoth bones and participate in fun classroom activities while learning about this extinct animal and its importance to prehistoric man. Background information and suggested activities are included in a teacher’s guide.

 

 

Furs and Bones
Preschool - 8th Grade
Applicable to 3rd Grade Science and 4th Grade History Standards
Like our popular Buffalo pack, this pack gives students a multi-sensory learning experience. By exploring a selection of furs, hides, skulls, and other bones, your class can learn about the importance of regional animals to Native Americans and the fur trade. A teacher’s guide includes suggested classroom activities as well as information about the animals themselves and the fur trade.

 

 

Archaeology
Grades 4 - 12
Applicable to 6th Grade History and 7th Grade Math Standards, as well as nature of Science standards for Grades 3 and up
Introduce students to the wonders of archaeology. Along with reproducible handouts, the kit contains a mini-dig and a reconstruction project. A teacher's guide is included as well.

 

 

 

 

Fossils
Grades 3 - 12
Applicable to 3rd Grade Science Standards
Hands-on activities make this pack a big hit with students! Your class can learn about different types of fossils by creating their own molds and casts. A selection of genuine fossils is included as well. The teacher's guide provides background information and complete instructions for class activities.

 

 

Mammal Tracks
Preschool - Grade 5
Applicable to K-3rd Grade Science Standards
This fun pack includes latex replicas of the front and hind feet of 17 species of North American mammals. Track identification sheets, user's guide, and a reproducible activity booklet are also included.

 

 

 

 

Cofradia of Guatemala Grades 6 - 12
Maya in Guatemala Grades 4 - 12
Applicable to 6th Grade History Standards
Is your class studying Latin America? These packs are for you! A staff member did an exchange program in Guatemala and brought back videos, clothing, artifacts, photos, and books to share with you and your class. Learn about the Mayan culture and tradition, and how it is still alive in Guatemala today.

 

 

Native American Topics

 

Native American Quillwork
Grades 2 - 8
Applicable to 1st, 2nd, and 5th Grade History and 3rd & 4th Grade Art Standards
Your class will love discovering this almost forgotten craft. Students will learn about the traditional Lakota artform, and can even try their hands at a quilling activity. A selection of quills, quilled objects, photos, teacher’s information, and suggested activities complete this pack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Buffalo
Grades Preschool - 8th grade
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 5th Grade History Standards
Give your students a multi-sensory experience with this unique "touch" pack, which includes everything from a full robe and tallow soap to "milk teeth" and a bladder. The teacher's guide includes information on the buffalo itself, its importance to the Lakota people, and places to see live buffalo today.

 

 

 

Parfleche
Preschool - 8th grade
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 5th Grade History Standards
Discover how Plains Native Americans made and used rawhide containers. This pack contains a parfleche and several items (reproductions) used in making a parfleche. The complete teacher's guide includes suggestions on how students can create their own simulated rawhide container.

 

 

Picture Writing
Grades K - 6
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 5th Grade History and 3rd & 4th Grade Art Standards
This pack contains rubber stamps illustrating a variety of Plains Native American symbols used to record a tribe's stories and events. The teacher's guide includes background information on historic uses of picture writing and ideas for fun classroom activities.

 

 

Native American Games
Grades K - 6
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 5th Grade History Standards
Games helped Native American children learn skills for use in real life. Your students can experience many games played by early Plains Native Americans. Background information and game rules, as well as most objects needed to play the games, are included with this pack.

 

Local History

 

Historic GPS Hunt
This activity is a fun way to combine the history of our area with modern technology. The hunt includes various sites of historical interest throughout Minnehaha County. You are given coordinates to find each site; upon reaching the site, you can read about its history. The pack includes GPS unit, site coordinates, a history booklet, and a county map and hint booklet in case you get stuck!

The Queen City
Grade 1 - 3
Applicable to 1st and 3rd Grade History Standards
Historic photographs tell the story of Sioux Falls development from the 1860s to the turn of the century. A complete script and an 1881 Sioux Falls wall map are included. The Queen City is available in traditional slides or as a Microsoft Power Point presentation.

 

Then and Now: Our Legacy
Grades 3 - Adult
Applicable to 3rd Grade History Standards
Pictures tell the history of Sioux Falls from the 1860s to 1900 by comparing historical images of the city to contemporary images. Also included are a complete script and an 1881 Sioux Falls wall map. Then and Now is available in traditional slides or as a Microsoft Power Point presentation.

 

Time Detectives
Grades 1 - 8
Applicable to 1st and 3rd Grade History Standards
Uncover life in early Sioux Falls! Exploring different topics (transportation, business, schools, quarrying, etc.) will help your students learn about early Sioux Falls. Each subject contains historic photographs, questions, and suggested activities. An 1881 Sioux Falls wall map and a complete teacher's guide are also included. The pack is available in folder or power point format.

 

 

South Dakota
Grades K - 8
Applicable to 4th Grade History Standards
Looking for a fun addition to your South Dakota history lessons? This new pack tests your students' knowledge of state history. It includes historical information, state symbols, a homesteading game, fun classroom activities, and much more!

 

 

 

Pioneer Activities

 

Homesteading Board Game
Grades 2 - High School
Applicable to 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade History Standards
Students can learn about challenges and choices facing early pioneers on their journey across the prairie. From deciding which items to buy or pack, to letting chance, with the roll of a die, decide what illness or disasters may strike, players "live" the homesteader experience as they race across the board to be first to stake a claim. This pack contains a teacher's guide, a game board, supply cards and game pieces.  

 

 

Pioneer Items
Grades K - 8
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
Modern conveniences make it hard to imagine what life was like for the pioneers. Your students can travel back in time as they explore objects used by pioneer families. This pack includes many hands-on items, including a coffee grinder, rug beater, and corn planter. Background information is included in a teacher’s guide.

 

 

Inkle Looms
Grades 2 - 8
Applicable to 2nd & 4th Grade History and 3rd & 4th Grade Art Standards
Bring this fun weaving activity to your group. The pack includes looms, shuttles, background information, and complete instructions. All you need to provide is yarn!

 

 

 

Pioneer Clothing
Grades K - Adult
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
(Clothing sizes vary and are suitable for approximately 7-12)
"Why do they dress funny?" Do your students wonder why pioneers dressed so differently? Find out with this exciting new pack! Your students can learn about clothing worn by children during the late 1800s. This pack contains items for your students to discover and try on. A teacher's guide with historical information about clothing styles and care is also included.

 

 

Historic Baseball
Grade 2 - Adult
Applicable to 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
Baseball, our national pastime, has not always been the game we know today. Play the historic games that evolved into the modern form of baseball. The pack includes the rules for two early variations of baseball, background information and a time line. Equipment included: balls, bases, and bats. Gloves are not provided but are optional.

 

 

Pioneer Games
Grades K - 6
Applicable to 1st, 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
Discover how pioneer children created their own games from simple everyday objects! This pack contains a complete teacher's guide including background information, game instructions, and most objects needed to play the games.

 

 

 

Ice Cream Making
All ages
Applicable to 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
This popular pack contains a hand-crank ice cream churn. The teacher's guide provides directions, recipes, and background information.

 

 

 

 

Butter Churning
All Ages
Applicable to 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
This pack includes a churn, a wooden bowl, paddles, and a butter mold. Directions, recipes, activities, and other information are included in the teacher's guide.

 

 

 

 

Candle Dipping
Grades 2 - Adult
Applicable to 2nd and 4th Grade History Standards
This pack contains the basic equipment to start you and your group on their way to making hand-dipped candles. The teacher's guide includes directions along with information on where to buy candle wax, how much to buy, a list of optional activities, and historical information about home lighting.

 

 

 

Have an idea for a new Discovery Pack? Let us know!