The class chose their new animal care jobs today. We'll have these for the next three weeks, and then we will get new jobs after winter break. In the spring, jobs change and things get exciting!
Each week, I talk to the class about "Farm News". Sometimes, the week's Farm News good; sometimes it's bad. I always explain that life has ups and downs. There are good times with happy, bouncy baby goats, eggs, new growth, sunshine, and health... and then there are times that make you question you abilities. Question your choices. Question whether or not all the working and raising and loving is worth it. I told the class that I was not alone is these low times. I began raising goats almost 20 years ago, and I have acquired many friends who farm. We all go through moments like these. To me, it is important to explain this to kids. Often, we as a society try to sterilize everything for children. We try to present everything as if it is all guaranteed... as if it is always sunny... as if we, as humans, are entitled for life to be as such. Farms offer the very real lessons that help to ground us, and I don't like to deprive my classes of these lessons. So, today I explained that despite my best efforts, we lost a pig. Yes, things like this happen... but it's never easy. We cry, and we question ourselves, and we stay awake at night trying to make sure we look at things from every possible angle. The bottom line is always this: after the tears have dried, we learn from mistakes, gather knowledge, and move forward. I strive to be a good steward of these beautiful animals in my care, and we simply do everything we can to give them the best possible life! Beyond vocabulary and writing and agriculture concepts, these are the big lessons are what I hope my students will learn and remember.
The class began working on their new art project. We will hopefully finish these up next week and begin on our next big one. It will involve an Eastern European artform!
At home, the class was shown three different European paintings of farm scenes. They were asked to choose on of the paintings and write a story about it. Just as I'd hoped, the students came up with vastly different storylines for the animals, characters, and settings! I showed the painting and the class took turns sharing their stories. We discussed the tone of the artwork and the different interpretations. They did such a great job!
Since the day was so gorgeous, we headed back outside after reading our stories. The kids were each given a set of gloves and we set to work pulling up old dead plants from our raised bed garden. The kids needed some time outdoors, and this was a great activity to get them moving!
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