The Trust’s rentable learning kits provide all the hands-on materials needed to bring Frank Lloyd Wright and design to your classroom. Each themed kit includes objects and materials that connect to resources and lessons available at teachingbydesign.org. Pair the kit with an online lesson or use the materials for your own design activity. Kits should be reserved at least 1 month in advance with a credit card.

Fee: $75 for in-state shipping, $100 for out-of-state shipping

All learning kits can be converted into virtual workshops where a Trust educator will lead your class through the workshop with added content, via Zoom (first class free, $15 for additional classes).

Building Blocks of Architecture: Froebel Blocks

This learning kit is customizable and can include a combination of different building blocks. We supply Froebel® Gift 3 and Gift 4 (or Gift 5 or Gift 6 available upon request). The number of block sets is limited to 32 sets a kit. Lessons, figure sheets, images, and videos for using Gift 3 and Gift 4 are available online.

This activity introduces Frank Lloyd Wright and principles of design as participants build with Froebel Blocks and explore the relationship between design and geometry. Participants use simple wooden blocks to build Forms of Life and Forms of Beauty. Then they are asked to design their own Form, while considering the relationship between aesthetics (beauty) and utility (life).

Froebel® is a registered trademark of Froebel USA.

• Rental Length: One week rental.
• Price includes 1 free virtual workshop. Schools may request additional virtual workshops for $15 per class (up to 4 classes total.)
• Cost: We only ask that you cover the cost of shipping.
  • In-State Cost: $75
  • Out-of-State Cost: $100
• We will securely gather credit card information before shipping the learning kit and will charge the credit card before sending the kit.
• Charges will be incurred $20/week after one week of rental, and $1000 if kit is not returned.
• Kit Contents: Up to 32 Froebel Block Gifts, depending on class size, 1 copy of The Shape of the World and 1 copy of Prairie Boy, Building Blocks of Architecture Lesson Plan, 16 laminated Forms of Life sheets,16 laminated Forms of Beauty sheets
• Digital Contents: Home and Studio Virtual Tour

Building Blocks of Architecture: Pentomino Blocks

This learning kit includes a class set of up to 32 sets of 3-D Pentominoes. This activity provides a hands-on opportunity for students to analyze, compare, and create geometric designs inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Participants observe and analyze images of key buildings and furnishings designed by Wright during his Prairie years and create their own floor plans using Pentominoes.

• Rental Length: One week rental.
• Price includes 1 free virtual workshop. Schools may request additional virtual workshops for $15 per class (up to 4 classes total.)
• Cost: We only ask that you cover the cost of shipping.
  • In-State Cost: $75
  • Out-of-State Cost: $100
• We will securely gather credit card information before shipping the learning kit and will charge the credit card before sending the kit.
• Charges will be incurred $20/week after one week of rental, and $1000 if kit is not returned.
• Kit Contents: Up to 32 3-D Pentomino block sets (depending on class size), Building Blocks of Architecture Lesson Plan, up to 32 floorplan design worksheets
• Digital Contents: Robie House Virtual Tour

NEW! The Wright 3 Learning Kit

Exclusive Rental for Chicago Public Schools and Oak Park/River Forest School Districts Only

Did you know that there’s a children’s mystery novel about Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House? Bring Robie House to life in your classroom with The Wright 3 rentable learning kit.

This kit includes a class set of Blue Balliett’s award-winning book, The Wright 3. Learn about the history of Robie House from the perspective of fictional characters Tommy, Petra and Calder, who are enchanted by the building’s geometry as they strive to save it from demolition.

This novel integrates language arts, mathematics, social studies and art. Recommended for Grades 4-7 (Lexile Level 870L, Reading Level T). This book is a sequel to Chasing Vermeer but can be read independently.

• Rental Length: Up to 8-weeks, can be adjusted based on your classroom goals and availability of the books.
• Cost: Shipping is free. We will securely gather credit card information before shipping the learning kit and will hold the credit card on file.
• Charges will be incurred $10/week after 8 weeks of rental, $15/book for any missing or damaged books, and $350 if kit is not returned.
• Kit Contents: Up to 32 The Wright 3 Chapter Books, depending on class size, Robie House Art Glass Sample, 2-D Pentomino Class Set
• Digital Contents: Robie House Virtual Tour