Why Farm Visits?

Children, as a whole, are interested in living things. Many have never seen and some cannot recognize common farm animals. Few people have been exposed to rare breed farm animals. Yet, these creatures provide an engaging opportunity to appreciate endangered animals in person.

Noah's Ark Today builds longitudinally through the elementary years, following National Standards closely as students evolve in their understanding. Rare Breeds provide an ongoing window of insight into core concepts. Over time, students gain the ability to make closer observations and gain sophisticated understanding of animal needs, behaviors, interdependence, adaptations and communities as they study the unique traits and characteristics of rare breed farm animals.

While it might be wonderful to have a lamb visit every school, it is typically impractical. (Even Mary and her lamb had a hard time with it!) Given the reality of the constraints, this curriculum is designed and built with local partners who provide opportunities for field trips, expert support and basic information when planning classroom connections.

We have partnered with Living History museums and Zoos where rare breeds are exhibited for the public. These facilities are open for field trips and host many students each year already. Teachers use Noah's Ark Today to bookend their field trip, to place it in curricular context and bring the message home - literally. Noah's Ark Today activities can be used to set the stage and engage the learner, as well as to solidify concepts introduced at the farm. Of course, activities do not depend on the field trip, they are simply augmented by it.

This curriculum was built by and for teachers. We teachers face incredible time and resource constraints. In the era of differentiated instruction, end of grade tests, individualized education plans and inclusive classrooms, we have little energy left to plan a field trip, let alone place it in curricular context. In Noah's Ark Today, this work is done, so you can be available to your students, and hopefully have some fun too!