HARRISBURG, Pa. — Elementary teachers are encouraged to begin enrolling their classrooms in the ‘Adopt-A-Cow’ program, beginning Aug. 1. As part of the Discover Dairy lesson series, Adopt-A-Cow is a yearlong learning opportunity for youth in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
The Adopt-A-Cow program engages classrooms throughout the school year with individual updates about their calf’s growth and care, while also learning about the broader dairy industry. Bi-monthly updates include an introductory kit with the calf’s name, birthday and home as well as how the farmer takes care of her. In addition, photographs of the calf, bookmarks, posters and activity sheets are included as well as ways to incorporate Discover Dairy lessons. At the end of the school year, classrooms have the option to video chat with the calf and her owner where they can ask questions.
“My students look forward to this program and we do some great cross-curricular activities for it,” said Lisa Klipa, fourth grade teacher at Praise Christian Academy in North Versailles, Pa. “The most anticipated part is the Skype video calls with the farmer and cow. This is where students can ask questions and learn more from first accounts with the farmer.”
Enrollment for the 2017-2018 Adopt-A-Cow program will open Aug. 1. There is limited space for the program at 125 classrooms. Registration will close on Nov. 1 or when the program reaches capacity. To enroll, visit discoverdairy.com.
“My students loved the opportunity to adopt a cow. We enjoyed reading the updates about our cow, Sonja. The students were always interested to see what was new with her development,” said Rachel Weidenhammer, a fifth-grade teacher at Cornell Terrace Elementary in Sinking Spring, Pa. “The Adopt a Cow program is a wonderful way to connect the classroom to agriculture in the surrounding community of Pennsylvania.”
Discover Dairy, managed by the Center Foundation, is an engaging, interactive, cross-curricular, multi-leveled educational series that meets Common CORE Standards for math, science and reading, while incorporating social studies concepts. The program shows upper elementary and middle school students where milk comes from and how dairy farmers contribute to our communities. Discover Dairy is provided at no cost to educators and others interested in teaching students more about dairy foods and farming.
To learn more about the Adopt-A-Cow program and Discover Dairy, visit discoverdairy.com or contact Mary Foote at 717-346-0849 or at mfoote@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
— Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania