Joy School Fun

It was my week to teach Joy School this past week. We started a unit all about the Earth. The girls are having fun learning about nature and it was suggested to take them on a nature outing today, so we did just that. We invited along another friend as well and the four girls did well together. We went to Elsenhove, which is a child-friendly farm and it has a playground and picnic area as well. The girls all started out really brave petting the goats:

We were supposed to link the last unit with this unit, so the girls were supposed to recognize the five senses they used today. We heard a lawnmower, smelt the stinky pigs, felt the goats and the sand, saw lots animals and green things (the color of the day), and tasted our picnic lunches. The girls had each made "nature viewers" on Wednesday to help them see and explore nature today, and of course, in the future:

I brought some bread for the girls to feed the ducks and Hannah decided the bread was good enough for her to eat. Rachel was quick to inform me Hannah was eating her bread instead of feeding it to the ducks. Silly girls! :)
At one point Ashely fell behind the group and Rachel was so cute to go back and get her and help her catch up - I love moments like these: I did learn one thing to day - how quickly fear can spread. When we first arrived at the farm the girls were totally fine with the goats. After walking around some and having to return back to the goat area (because that was the only way to get to the other side of the farm), we came across some goats that were quite friendly. Well, I'm not sure who started it but one of the girls freaked out and so the rest followed suit. I got quite a few looks as I tried to shepherd upset girls away from the goats.

Luckily they calmed down enough to each get a picture taken on a lamb statue:

I then attempted to get them to go into the barn to see the cows, a few more goats, and some pigs. They weren't too thrilled about the idea... Once I convinced them that the animals were all in their pens, the girls were a bit more comfortable. So, we had fun checking out all the animals and talking about nature. After exploring nature the girls had some time to play on the playground and in the sand:
After some playtime the other moms and babies (thanks Allison for taking Audrey!) joined us and we all enjoyed a picnic lunch. And luckily the weather cooperated - we weren't too sure, but it worked out. Definitely a fun week at Joy School - at least for me - I think the girls enjoyed it as well. It's fun to watch them learn and grow.