Week 5: July 7th - July 18th

This week was all about bugs, insects, and butterflies! We really focused our energy on butterflies with our games and crafts this week, including many games about the butterfly lifecycle (ever been wrapped up in a toilet paper chrysalis? Or made a chrysalis necklace?) and activities about symmetry with “smush paintings”.

Our time in the woods was full of bug and butterfly hunting! Many interesting insects were caught, observed, and studied with our Midwest insect guides before being released. Dragonflies, multiple types of butterflies, slugs, spiders and grasshoppers were among the favorites to find. We also created the parts of a butterfly with items found in nature.

Other highlights were afternoon food work, which included things like, greek yogurt bark, ants on a log, dirt and worms, and many black caps and mulberries found right here on the farm. We also spent time moving our chicks out to the larger chicken pen so that they can be gradually introduced to the flock. It’s been really fun to watch them grow.

Finally, we had two guests this week, and many wonderful memories were made! Our first guests were brought in by one of our very own Farm Friends families- the Retherfords! Their family owns horses, and taught us all about horse care, including grooming, feeding, and most importantly hugging. Our second guest was Mike Aturi, founder of Universal Music Studio (and also the drummer for The Lovin’ Spoonful and former drummer for many other internationally acclaimed artists!) Mike led us in a music circle outside in nature, where students were drumming, using maracas, and singing like champions! My favorite moment included singing happy birthday to Lloyd, our farm pug, as he turned one! Though, singing “Oh Ms. Mandy had a farm” was a close second….

Next weeks’ theme: Things that are “hoppy” to be on the farm!