the Central Valley to teach about the water cycle, where drinking water comes from, and how hydroelectric power is generated. In one classroom, Mosquito and Vector Control discuss how mosquitos can spread disease, how they breed, and what an invasive species is. In the next, students complete ag themed art projects where they draw specific shapes and use fractions to create their drawings. In another, a falconer talks about bird biology, how he uses falcons to protect crops from pest birds and lets the students pose for a photo with the bird on their gloved fist.
FOOD, FARMING & FUN AT GREAT VALLEY’S AG DAY “It’s a chicken!” “I see a sheep!” “Look at the flowers!” were only a few students’ excited exclamations that sounded across the Great Valley Elementary School campus. It’s Ag Day and everyone is eager to explore the field that is set up as a mini agricultural expo. Gigantic tractors shadow students and staff, animals are on display, and local vendors line the edge of the fields with honey, hand sanitizer, and plants to give away. Great Valley Ag Day is in its 18th year of teaching students about the rich agricultural heritage of their Central Valley home.
For 4th grade teacher Jennifer Galapia, this is the 11th Ag Day she has attended with her students. “The kids look forward to this every year,” she said. “They love getting their hands in soil and planting something. Many students don’t realize how much agriculture is in our area and what all the agricultural field encompasses.” The aim of the day is to provide students with hands-on learning experiences in a wide range of agriculture related fields. In the cafeteria, representatives from the South San Joaquin Irrigation District use a water table modeled after
These experiences directly relate back to curriculum and grade level standards with an emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education. Teachers are provided with suggested lesson plans and projects ahead of time that they can use after the event. This year, all students were given a bag of locally made corn nuts. After an in-class tasting, primary grades graphed student opinions on flavor while upper grades did a sensory writing assignment. Students may have also written personal narratives about the day or discussed weights and measurements (a peregrine falcon weighs about 2
pounds, about the same as a loaf of bread). Principal Hollis Blake III is in his first year at Great Valley and was very impressed by his first Ag Day. “It’s absolutely amazing! I’ve learned so much along with the students today. They are developing an appreciation for the earth and their food. ” Ag Day is truly a community affair bringing together students, parents, staff, and local companies in support of education. Simplot donated plants and other supplies, parents and staff cooked lunch for the presenters, and FFA students from Weston Ranch and Sierra High School presented on snakes, ducks, shop/mechanics, horticulture, and more! Fourth graders Jasmine Cruz-Olguin and Aryiannah Caroro won the art contest for the artwork on the Ag Day t-shirt and earned valuable experience in graphic design and collaboration while merging their separate designs into one cohesive piece. “Seeing parents and students be leaders in learning fills my heart with love for the Weston Ranch community!” said event coordinator and 4th grade teacher Jeannie Pacheco-Seward.