It’s that time of year when local students are heading outdoor for fall field trips. We tagged along for two of them last week.
First grade students from Bushnell Elementary visited the Wittenbach Wege Center (WWC) to learn about habitats and life cycles. They learned about and saw first-hand the various habitats where animals and insects live and what they need to survive there. It was a beautiful fall day for outdoor learning.
The field trip started off learning about the different parts of a honey bee. One lucky student was able to dress the part with help from Courtney Cheers, WWC Director.
One of the habitats visited during the trip was a wigwam which was made and donated by Boy Scout Troop 85 from Ionia. The display shows how Native Americans would build a home, hunt, and use various resources to survive.
A break allowed for students to hear a story. Ms. Shannon read a book about an ant to this group in the garden area.
Students also learned how honey bees make honey. Pieces of honey comb were passed around for students to feel. They discovered it feels like wax. A bee suit was on display and a bee smoker was explained as one of the tools used when collecting honey.
The prairie is another habitat first graders explored. Bugs were captured by sweeping nets back and forth. Each group’s findings were put into a container where items could be observed through magnification. Spiders, crickets, and other bugs were caught, observed, and returned to their habitat.
At the recently finished pond habitat, students looked for living things in water. Some, such as a frog were easy to spot. But other living things calling the pond home were harder to see such as mosquito larvae.
Students were encouraged to come back with their families to explore the center. Next weekend as part of the Harvest Festival celebration a pancake breakfast, apple tasting, and tours will be a good opportunity to see what the Wittenbach Wege Center has to offer.
Meanwhile, students from kindergarten through 4th grade at St. Patrick School headed to Olin Farm for their fall field trip.
While teachers squared away the details with farm staff, the kids got a chance to say hello to the resident Clydesdale horses.
The very LARGE Clydesdale horses.
Then it was time for kindergarten and 1st grade students to take a hay ride while the 2nd-4th graders tackled the corn maze.
It was a warm day, and the corn maze proved to be a challenge, even for the adults in the crowd. However, the group eventually emerged victorious, having found the coveted prize tickets in the center of the maze. Then, it was time for the classes to swap with the older kids settling in for the hay ride and the kindergarten teacher bravely soldiering into the corn maze with her brood of small charges.
The prize tickets from the maze were turned in for cider, an apple and a packet of candy. There were smiles all around as everyone deemed the day on the farm to be a success.
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