During the week of May 20, fourth grade held Farm Expo, a capstone event they hope will become an enduring tradition.
Before the big event, groups of students from each fourth-grade classroom came together to research various aspects of our farm in Union County. Topics included composting, farming, bees, water quality, and chickens, and each fourth-grade teacher served as the lead for each topic. This approach was not only a fun way for the students to work with peers outside their classroom, but it also gave them a taste of what it will be like next year in Middle School.
The students visited the farm in April to learn about their topic from various experts, and they also conducted research using books and other resources in the library. As a group, they collaborated on their presentation materials, and each student wrote about a specific research question.
During the Farm Expo, excited parents joined their students at the farm, and rotated through stations on the various research topics. They also took part in a wagon ride around the property and were treated to a farmer’s market of fresh produce and eggs.
The students did a great job of presenting their topics, but even more impressive was the depth of their knowledge when answering parents’ questions at the end of each presentation. The parents, many of whom had never been to the farm, were thrilled and in awe of the property.
Congratulations to the fourth-grade team on developing a meaningful capstone experience for their students.