What if Illinois residents considered themselves as "People of the Prairie" (Deep Roots Program)? What if we experienced belonging to this land as deeply as the roots of prairie plants belong in the ground? With more than 95% of our original prairie gone, we need prairie restoration now. As the climate changes, storms become more severe. We need more prairies, more tall grasses with deep roots, to soak up the water.
The Deep Roots Program experience creates an innate connection for children to the natural world through music, imagination, dance and storytelling.
Let's learn about the prairie!
Illinois Prairie Plants
grow Deep Roots
Meet Eagle and Owl
Children ages K-3rd grade will be delighted by Eagle and Owl as they:
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Educate about prairie plants and animals
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Engage through song and dance
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Inspire students through the collective creation of a (musical) prairie
This Deep Roots video is shared with educators a week before the Program and plants the seeds for the live educational experience. Students will be introduced to the plants and animals of the prairie in a fun, animated format.
"Deep Roots" was written by Louise Kelly, produced by Daniel Oldham, and animated by Kelsey Boncato. Partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Children love to learn about the plants and animals of the prairie!
Eagle teaches children the ASL (American Sign Language) with the song "Earth, Earth, Earth, I Love the Beautiful Earth"
Louise Kelly started to write a song that teaches about prairie, our natural habitat, when she for the first time watched it unfold in spring of 2020.
Children love to learn about the plants and animals of the prairie!
Illinois: The Prairie State
"Deep Roots" teaches Illinois children about the deep roots of prairie plants, encouraging them to grow their own deep roots into this land we live on.
The program is grateful for partial support by
the Illinois Arts Council Agency
The Deep Roots Program was developed from a collaboration between
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Louise Kelly, musician/ singer-songwriter/ educator
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SCARCE, an award-winning sustainability center.
