The lovely Year 2 children from Dean Close Preparatory School braved the rain to look at the topic of habitats. After the health and safety talk the children visited the calf pen to look at the ‘habitat’ we provide for our young stock. I explained all the things farmers think about when making sure the ‘habitat’ is correct for the animals; food, water, shelter, space to move and friends. Throughout the day the children asked some fantastic questions. 

During the farm walk we thought about both the farm animals and the wild animals which live on the farm. The children learnt that farmers work hard to provide habitats for lots of wild animals. We walked along the beetle bank, past the wild bird seeds and then saw a badger hole. 

 

The children loved exploring which creatures live in a freshwater habitat. Whilst we pond dipped we found an adult sized smooth newt which was really exciting. The children found lots of clear jelly with eggs in which are pond snail eggs. 

The children loved the play wood. 

 

 

The wonderful Year 4 and 5 children from Cropthorne with Charlton school made their second visit to the farm this school year. It was lovely to see how excited they were about being back on the farm. 

We didn’t have a specific topic to cover and so it was decided that a team activity would be a fun way to spend the morning. In groups of three, the children were asked to build a raft for a rubber duck and include a rope to pull the raft through the water. The children did a really good job using natural materials in the wood and didn’t seem to notice the rain pouring down. We walked to the pond to launch the rafts. The pond is very full and lapping at the bottom of the island bridge.

After a run through two fields we went to see the calves which looked very cute sleeping in the straw. The one year old calves were very happy to be fed some silage. 

After lunch the children had a great time in the play wood. 

It was really lovely to see Year 4 children from Sedgeberrow C of E First School. The topic of the day was Super Heroes, which isn’t perhaps the most obvious for a farm trip. We started the day discussing milk processing and how Louis Pasteur invented Pasteurization which prolongs the life span of milk. 

We then moved onto the book ‘Super-Worm’ which then lead on to me explaining how farmers love worms and the role worms have to play in nutrient release and providing air and water channels. I measured out a cubic metre and asked the children to guess how many worms live in a healthy soil of that size. Answer 740. 

We then went outside and looked at the pile of farmyard manure which the worms will be breaking down later in the Spring. Then we went to see the calves and the source of the farmyard manure. 

The children were keen to see the pond and how deep it is after the very wet winter. Although we looked hard we could see very little life in the pond. I think the water is still cold and much of the pond life is living deep in the mud.  

Our walk took us to the western side of the farm. I gave the children trowels to dig up the soil. They found plenty of worms

 

and decided to make the sticky soil into clay balls and pots. On our way back for lunch we stopped under the pylon to discuss sound and electricity. 

As ever the children loved the wood.

This week I have had the pleasure of meeting all the reception children from St Richards C of E First School. Our topic was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The children remembered the traditional tales that they had been working on in class. They told me about making gingerbread men which sounded delicious. I put out clues and the children had to tell me which traditional tale I was thinking of…

The children then helped me to remember the story of ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ by finding the correct picture for my story board. After snack we walked up to the little wood, via the calf pens and muddy puddles. 

In the little wood I gave each group a ‘Goldiducks and the Three Brown Pine Cones’. I asked the children to build a bear house, a bowl of porridge, a chair and a bed. Although some children were less used to the great outdoors than others, it was a very positive experience for all. 

After lunch some of the children found my muddy puddles!