Interactive Tours Tailored to Your Students’ Developmental Levels and Interests For Younger Students: Investigative Learning

Animals:

• Discussing and observing characteristics of goats, cows, rabbits, chickens, and worms
• Feeling fur of different animals

Plants and Seeds:

• Identifying plants, stages of growth, and needs of plants
• Comparing different seeds
• Discussing vegetables and food production
• Picking and tasting vegetables from the garden

Food from animals and plants:

• Discussing milk production from goats – observe a goat being milked when possible
• Picking and tasting vegetables from the garden
• Discussing and smelling various herbs

For Older Students: Exploratory Learning

Animals and Plants:

• Discussing and observing characteristics, physiology, and function of farm animals
• Exploring relatedness and interdependence of animals on the farm
• Observing a goat being milked (when possible)

Systems and Cycles:

• Identifying stages of plant and animal growth and needs of the earth in maintaining those systems
• Comparing ecosystems and environmental conservation solutions such as composting
• Discussing cycles of growth, geological formation, weather, and climate

Food and Hunger Issues:

• Explore issues of nutrition and health as they relate to food production and access
• Discuss implications of agriculture, food, and relevant issues of social and economic justice
• Discuss the difference between relief efforts and development work

WHRI has tours tailored to meet the TEKS requirements for grades 1-6 and can customize farm visits to fit the curriculum, TEKS requirements, or learning objectives of any grade. We encourage visitors to consult the staff at WHRI before your visit and plan your farm experience; this can include service projects, meaningful work experiences and pre/post visit interactions.

To get a better idea of what our school tours involve please visit our Education Resources page and download the grade appropriate tour curriculum. You will also be able to find links to additional educational resources that can help you and your students further explore gardens, food, compost and much more!

Community Education Tours

Geared towards families, civic organizations and faith communities our Community Education Tours include information on the following topics:

• Agriculture and the environment
• Lifestyles and their impact on the environment
• Life in developing countries
• Working models of principles taught in school science classes
• Nutrition
• Gardening – with an emphasis on organic and sustainable food production
• Composting and conservation of resources
• Rabbits, goats, and chickens
• Poverty and hunger
• Relief and development efforts
• Stewardship

All our tours can be geared towards a particular topic of focus that interests your group and would make your visit to WHRI more valuable so don’t hesitate to ask.