Expedition News

The past two weeks we have continued to build our model farms. At this point we have added the farmhouse, a silo, a barn, and a tractor. Students have also bought sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and chickens, and added them to their farms. Each time children buy an animal/s, they also have to buy the correct amount of land and fences to keep the animals in their areas. Besides thinking about how much each item costs, students must also think about where they want their animals to go, how many of each they want, and who would make a good neighbor. There is a lot of thought that goes into each decision about what children add to their farms and where to put each item!

 

This case study also includes lots of non-fiction writing, and we are practicing noticing the difference between facts and opinions. We our learning tons about each animal, things even I didn’t know!

 

The last part of the model farm case study covers mapping. Children are making grid maps of their model farms and every few days they update their map. We are also learning about the different parts of a map, and eventually students will create a map with a key.

 

Field work update: I have been searching for field work in the area and not having a ton of luck (hence the fact that we have not gone anywhere in a while). Adam has been helping me look for places to take the children where they can see any of the animals we are learning about, as well as a dairy (large or small scale), a creamery, a place that makes cheese, etc… If anyone has any good ideas, please send them along to me, I would really love to get back out in the field with the kiddos!

 

Important Dates:

March 24: Crab Feed Fundraiser

March 28 & 29: Goal Setting Conferences

April 2-6: Spring Break, no school

April 30: Swim lessons start