Field Trip to Gramling Farm

Our field trip to Gramling Farm was such a wonderful experience for the doodlebugs!  We had such beautiful weather and the children loved being outside on the farm.  We learned so many fascinating things about the farm and how the farm worked long ago (that is one of our social studies standards comparing now and long ago)!  I have included lots of photos of the different stations we visited at the farm.

The Washing Machines:  at this station we learned how people washed clothes long ago and how much time it would take to wash one piece of clothing.  We also learned how they dried their clothes; on a clothes line.  It was funny that some of the children did not know what clothes pins were used for.  

Apple Juice:  we observed the process of making apple juice.  We watched the apples go into the grinder and the press machine push all the juice out of the apples.  We then sampled the juice.  We also learned that the left over apples are used to feed the horses and other farm animals.  

Making peanut butter:  we learned about how peanuts grow in the ground.  We watched the man grind peanuts and it turned into fresh peanut butter.  The machine he used was over 100 years old.  We sampled the peanut butter on crackers and it was delicious!!

Tractor/Wagon Ride:  We rode around the farm in a wagon that was being pulled by a tractor.  It was really fun!

Grits and Cornmeal from Corn:  we watched an old machine grind corn and make grits and corn meal.  We had the opportunity to feel the textures of the grits compared to the fine corn meal.  Some of the kids have never eaten grits (come on people, feed these kids some grits)!  I think we will be making grits in class soon, they must experience the true south!

Donald the Donkey, Goat, and a Pony:  We had an opportunity to feed Donald the Donkey and pet him.   He was very friendly.  We also got to pet a pony and look at a goat.  

 The most popular station was the horse drawn buggy ride.  The horses weighed over 2,000 pounds and they could run really fast.  We decided we would not like traveling a long distance in a buggy pulled by horses.  It was really bumpy!!  We let Grandma B ride up front with the driver!

Making a rope:  we watched the guys make a rope using a really old device.  We did get to bring the rope back to the classroom.  The kids were super excited to bring back a souvenir.  

 Pulley Device:  Santa Claus taught us how to use a pulley device to get the heavy hay to the top of the barn loft.  We all had an opportunity to pull the hay to see how easy it was to lift the hay this way!

Lunch on the farm!!

A game of Duck Duck Goose!

On the road again on that fun yellow bus!!