News From the Farm

Just another Monday...

Meet our newest first grader. She's a little young (3 weeks) and pretty hefty (90 pounds), but our principal made an exception and is letting her stay. :)

She doesn't have a name yet, but my class has brainstormed a few, narrowed it down and tomorrow will be the final vote. It will be decided between both first grade classes.

I feel kind of in charge. But thankfully, another teacher knows more and is a consultant on the case. And the other first grade teacher jumped right in and gave the first bottle. And I think she could easily be in charge, but I guess we will co-lead this project.

It was amusing today as we needed to decide the feeding schedule for the rest of the week and had a stalemate. We Rock, Paper, Scissored to determine the morning feeder. We went three rounds and every time chose the same. It was awesome--we are starting to think alike. And the students enjoyed seeing us do it. 

In other news... Our class has the saying of the year... Do. Not. Panic.

It comes from Roxie. The book about her and some hooligans is so enchanting. Seriously, go check it out and read it. It could make you laugh. (Find it on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.) So, anyway, we say it a lot. 

During math. Do. Not. Panic. In preparation for lock down drills. Do. Not. Panic. When Mrs. Bartel is having a freak-out moment. Do. Not. Panic. And apparently, they (at least one) say it at home. I love it!!! I think that book may become a beginning of the year read aloud for every year in the future. Just so we can have that saying.

Do. Not. Panic.

Five for Friday (January 23, 2015)

Yay for time and energy and photos to post to my favorite Friday party. :)

We split up the K-1 students into 4, 4-H groups. Today we rotated groups in order to complete the Power Panther Pals curriculum. Mrs. Jones taught the "Play Hard" part. I taught the "Eat Smart" part. One other teacher made the snack with the kids, and the last teacher taught 4-H pig curriculum.

We celebrated a birthday, and I love this letter.

Mrs. Roux tried to teach me the difference between straw and hay. (I really know, but played along with her.)

Jenny (in the foreground) is back. She spent December and January back at her first home (she had a gig in a Living Nativity). 

And we were gifted another calf (background) today. She is pretty, not quite as tame, and will get named soon.

And the most meaningful photo. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Roux in the barn. Taking care of business. I stayed outside. There was a dead mouse in there and Mrs. Jones tried to keep the information from me, so that I would not be freaked out and still go in the barn, but I heard her whisper the news to another. 

So, since there was a critter, I would not go in. Not sure they noticed me.

Now I'm creeped out again about going in the barn. 

I have a strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy about mice in the barn. But someone told. Aaaaaccckkkk.

Once, when Mrs. Roux was in the barn, standing, talking, watching kids work--a mouse fell from the rafters. RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER.

Now you understand. I am not going in. EVER AGAIN.

I have chores in March and need a really good friend to do them for me. Any takers?

Thanks Kacey @ Doodle Bugs Teaching for the party. I love it every week. Hop on over and find out what other friends of mine did today...

Introducing...

Welcome Home Jenny!!

Jenny is two weeks old. And cute. Her dad is a shorthorn (I think) and her mom is a black angus. And she's cute. Jenny walked through the school (and Mrs. Jones' class) to get to her new pen. She got to do that because she is cute.

My first graders didn't get to see her then. A road trip was in order...

Jenny needs two bottles a day. One first thing in the morning, and another in the late afternoon (or as late as we can before the students go home).

Soon all the kids in the school will be involved in feeding Jenny. And they will need to know what to do. Good thing there is a board with directions in the barn.

I think Mrs. Jones did a fantastic job writing some detailed instructions.

I'm on for Jenny chores through Sunday afternoon. The school kids can help on Thursday and Friday, and then who wants to come and help Saturday and Sunday???

I'm looking for volunteers. Are you up for the task?

Come on over and I will "let" you feed and water the sweet, sweet Jenny calf.

Ag Fair 2014 is In The Books

A really cool part of my school is our Ag Fair.

Each class, each student (either individually or in a group) creates and presents some type of ag related project. Then in May (when we are crazy with Mother's Day and EOY testing) we host an ag fair at our school in the afternoon and evening.

Today was the culminating day.

I woke up nervous. So I tried something new. I took a photo of my ootd (outfit of the day--learned that on Instagram) and posted it.

Got some work to do on taking a good picture (and finding nice clothes).

Our kids "worked" their project from 1:30-2:45 this afternoon and then again from 6-8 tonight. What a long time for 6 and 7 year olds to be good presenters. But they did it. I sent let some students go home early, especially when Mom or Dad mentioned that bedtime is 7 or 7:30.

 Out by the barn, telling about Freckles, our calf.

Telling about Mr. Williams' farm.

Now, what did we learn on Pizza Day?

We grew potatoes in our classroom and in our garden.

Trees. How they help us, do we have school supplies made from trees?

And to end the evening...PTO gave each teacher a hanging basket of flowers.

So pretty. Now to share it with someone who will not let it die (because of neglect or over watering, both of which I am known to do).

Off to bed. Tomorrow is "Muffins with Mom" at 7:15 am! Before Mom leaves for the day, she will come to our classroom and be given a special gift, so I need to be there, can't just arrive before the tardy bell rings.

Why did we schedule a late night and early morning right next to each other?

Field Trip Day

What is the best way to start a fresh/new week of school?

Greet the kids, keep coats on (it snowed last night) and board a bus. Travel 2 miles to a farm and spend 1.5 hours in the great outdoors.

It was fantastic, really.

First stop--silage.

Next stop--the tractor takes the silage to the cows and it is delivered to the bunk.

Beautiful cows.

Learning from Mr. Williams.

The babies. Didn't get a close look, though.

Mr. Williams' brand. Look at the brown cow's right hip, you can see part of the brand.

Inside the shop.

Remember, it snowed last night? Well, it was cold and super windy. I will leave you with a selfie.