This instructional guide contains 16 activities designed to help teachers familiarize their students with the forest resources of Illinois. Each activity is ready to be copied and given to students. Topics of the activities, which vary in format, include: an overview of past and present Illinois forests; organization and mechanics of a forest ecosystem; food webs; plant reproduction; forest shelters; mammal tracks; nutrient element cycling; ecological principles; life cycle of the flying squirrel; forest management; working as a forester; preparing a timber stand improvement plan; and land use planning. Although the materials are probably best suited for students in grades 4-8, most of the activities can easily be adjusted to match the skill level of nearly every primary and secondary grade. (JN)