Field Trip #2- Blandy Experimental Farm

The kids and I had a wonderful time learning about rocks during our visit to Blandy Experimental Farm. I joined the PreK-2nd grade group, and our teacher did a great job with the young bunch. We first got to look at all different types of rocks, and answer questions about them through our observations. 

Then the group headed outside to look for rocks around the property. It was a bit chilly today, but fall is a great time to visit a tree museum! :)

Lastly, we headed back inside for a simple but fun craft using playdough to discover how mountains are made.

The kids are really enjoying their hands-on learning opportunities this year!

Our First Field Trip~ Skyline Caverns

For our first field trip of the year, we ventured out and explored Skyline Caverns. 

We traveled down underneath the ground and searched for various rocks and formations.

The children listening to our wonderful tour guide. He was amazing with the children.

We saw stalactites. 

A stalagmite that resembles the Holy family.

A fun time was had by all that attended.

Field Trip to Wilson's Animal Park

For our last field trip of the year, we headed off to a local animal park. The children were able to put into use all of their knowledge they learned this year about mammals and birds!

After two days of rain, the children were more than eager to get out an enjoy the warm, spring sunshine!
I think many of the parents were too!

We saw tigers, lions,bears, camels, and so much more.

The children were able to feed the goats, deer, and very large bison.

A fun day was had by all!

Field Trip to Blandy Experimental Farm - A Great Day!

We had a wonderful turn-out on this cool and blustery day! The Preschool and Kindergartners enjoyed a program about Plants and Trees; while, the 1st-3rd Graders enjoyed the Snake Savvy program! After a picnic lunch, the 4th-6th graders enjoyed the Birds program! What a day and just before the snow, too!

Thank you, everyone, for coming and being such good examples of homeschool families! The park staff was greatly impressed with the children.

Toads, Turtles, and Snakes at Schola Rosa!

 Preschoolers looking at critters!

 4th-6th Graders asking questions!

 K-3rd Graders volunteering to pet the snake. 

 K-3rd Graders looking at the turtle walk!

A special thanks to Park Ranger Jennifer from the Shenandoah River State Park! She did a fantastic job answering questions and helping children observe the critters! A wonderful presentation for all classes!

Field Trip #2 Cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy

Greetings in Christ! We are cancelling (perhaps just postponing) Field Trip #2 due to Hurricane Sandy. The National Weather Service predicts high winds beginning tomorrow around noon, especially along the mountain tops. Limited travel is recommended during the storm. We will notify you of any rescheduled date. 

Field Trip #2: FREE For Schola Rosa Families!

Description by the Park: “Learn about the differences and similarities between reptiles and amphibians, along with some interesting facts about them. Meet some of the resident critters at the visitor center and watch them eat!”

When?        October 29^th 12 pm – 3 pm

Where?       At the Shenandoah River State Park

                   Directions (about 15 minutes from co-op):

Take 340 South from Front Royal. Drive eight miles; the park's entrance is on the right.

What to Wear?      Clothes that can get DIRTY!

                             Hiking Shoes.

                             Strollers. Many hikes are stroller-friendly.

                             Prepare for the weather. 

                             We will be outside most of the time.

What to Bring?     A BAG LUNCH!                   Plenty of WATER!

How to Prepare?  Start researching and reading about amphibians and reptiles! Also of interest would be the local wildlife. The visitor’s center boasts a healthy display of stuffed wildlife.  

Agenda:                12:00 Lunch

                             1:00 Group 1 Program. Group 2 can hike.

                             2:00 Group 2 Program. Group 1 can hike.

                             3:00 Dismissal

Keep an eye on the blog this weekend as Hurricane Sandy may thwart our plans!

4th-6th Grade Archaeological Dig!

The 4th-6th graders dug in a prepared site that was planted with artifacts from the pioneer period (top layer) and the Indian period (bottom layer). Students worked carefully to uncover these artifacts to tell the story about what happened in that 5'X2' area. Thank you to Doug McCarthy for preparing this site in advance!!!!

K-3rd Archaeological Dig

The K-3rd graders had a fantastic time digging for their artifacts. Each new layer was filled with wonderful surprises. They found beads, ribbon, cloth, coins, crayons, paper, nuts, charcoal and plenty of rocks. A few of the kids even found a few little critters crawling through their dirt piles.

After digging in the transparent containers, students talked about their findings. What does charcoal tell us? What does a piece of fabric tell us? They were eager to participate!

After all their hard work as archaeologists, they relaxed and enjoyed some cake.

A fun time was had by all.

A Field Trip Thank you!

Thank you so much to all who helped make the Field Trip today a great success. To Alecia especially and Mr. McCarthy for all the time and effort they put into the archeological "sites", and Mrs. McCarthy for opening up her house to all of us.

My kids went on and on about how much fun they had today at the dinner table (and they will repeat it all over again tomorrow at breakfast so their father can hear about the day - he's not home in the evenings).  Best of all was hearing how the kids really understood more about history from this hands-on experience. All of my kids enjoyed the stories Mr. McCarthy told.  They loved the dig and the battle that ensued on the grounds afterwards with guns and swords - future artifacts to be found on the McCarthy farm someday :)