An elementary classroom at Dr. Ken Sauer school has been the home for six ducklings and four chicks for the past month.
Mrs. Grenlay and her third-grade class received eggs from a local farm, nurturing the birds through their hatching and growth stages.
“They are pretty distracting and they’re really cute,” Grade 3 student Paige Stodalka told CHAT News.
Grenlay has been bringing in chicks and ducks for her class for a number of years.
She said having the birds in her class provide hands on learning opportunities for the students as well as many curricular connections.
“The kids love it and it teaches them so much about caring for animals, basic needs, development.”
The students had the opportunity to candle the eggs, a technique that unveils the developing embryo nestled within the eggshell.
After the birds hatched, they learned how to care for them.
“It’s easy, but also a little bit hard because they also poop and pee,” said student Karmin Friday.
Hunter Stroed added: “[There’s] a warm light to keep them warm and you have food and water for them.”
This week the birds will head back to the farm and some students will miss their presence in the classroom.
“It was a really fun time to spend time with them and learn about them,” Stodalka explained.
Grenlay hopes her students can carry the experience with them and always remember to be caring towards animals.
