CCISD students get hands-on lessons in the barnyard
Fri, 2016-01-15 05:00
News Staff
Special to Leader-Press
As the Coryell County Fair got underway this week, CCISD gifted education students enjoyed a private livestock show of their own to enhance their learning opportunities.
Copperas Cove High School Future Farmers of America members took time away from their show preparation schedule to share agricultural practices when raising and working with livestock with the first graders who learned the importance of the meat and animal production. For children like Cameron Holt, the livestock provided an education that he cannot get in the classroom or at home.
“My favorite part was seeing all the animals, like the pigs and chickens,” Holt said.
The hands-on lesson took place at the CCISD Agricultural Barn. FFA members Colten Christman, Caden McAnally and Halee Kloesel were there to show the students several different FFA projects which include chickens, goats and sheep.
The first graders then stepped into the world of fine arts courtesy of the CCHS Theatre Arts and Choir Departments and the Spanish club. Student Jadelyn Mays most enjoyed the immersion into the Spanish culture.
“This was an awesome trip,” Mays said. “I liked being able to sing and dance with the Spanish club and eat chips and salsa. I really like when we got to act with the theatre arts kids, too.”
CCHS’ award-winning fine arts program allowed the students to learn first-hand from advanced choirs that won the area sweepstakes award last year in all three contests of men’s women’s and mixed choirs and the theater program that won first place in the regional one-act play contest last year along with the best actress award and best lighting award.
“These students worked very hard to prepare presentations, tours, and activities for the GE kids to be a part of,” Sabrina Rivera said. “It was wonderful to see these young adults mentor and educate our students. These students have enjoyed being able to ask their mentors questions and receive feedback about their projects.”
The extremely different experiences allowed students to see two very different extracurricular activities in which they could be involved. For first grader Enzo Rodriguez, he one day hopes to see himself in the spotlight.
“I enjoyed going on the stage with the choir,” Rodriguez said.
The field trips are part of the Texas Performance Standards Projects which provide differentiated instruction for gifted and talented students.