First graders go from barnyard to stage

By SABRINA RIVERA

Special to Leader-Press 

Old McDonald had a farm and first grade gifted education students have learned that CCISD does too. The youngsters can now do more than sing the rhyming song about livestock. They can actually tell you about the importance of meat and animal production thanks to some mentoring from role models at Copperas Cove High School.

First graders from across the district who are enrolled in gifted education classes enjoyed a fun- filled day at the Copperas Cove Agricultural Barn and at Copperas Cove High School.  CCISD provides an agriculture barn for both 4-H and FFA students’ livestock projects and recently renovated the facility to include concrete pens, watering faucets, weigh scale, show arena and more. 

While at the agriculture barn, the first graders were shown various livestock projects which included chickens, goats, and sheep by FFA members Caden McAnally, Abby McWhorter, Taylor Lucas, and Abbie Wardlow, who presented a mini-livestock show and shared the importance of the farming and ranching industry to the nation’s economy.  

When it was time to say goodbye to his new barnyard friends, first grader Grant Blackwell did not want to leave.

“It was really fun,” he said. “I wish we could go there every day.”

The first graders then stepped into the world of fine arts courtesy of the Copperas Cove High School Theater Arts and Choir Departments as well as the CCHS Spanish Club. The high school students prepared presentations, tours, and activities for the young scholars to participate in. First grader Silas McDurmond may have found his calling.

“I like playing games with the theater club,” he said. “I want to do that too.”

The theater arts students presented a short skit just long enough to keep the young students’ attention.

 “I really liked watching the play,” “Ian Michel said. “They were so funny.”

The field trips are part of the Texas Performance Standards Projects which provide differentiated instruction for gifted and talented students. The extremely diverse experiences, agricultural and fine arts, allowed students to see two very different extracurricular activities in which they could be involved in the future.

“It was wonderful to see these young adults mentor and educate our students,” teacher Amber Wilson said. “The first grade students enjoyed being able to ask their mentors questions and receive feedback about their projects.”