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Childhood is a wondrous time of curiosity and exploration. It is a time when what may seem like play is actually work and learning. In the early years of the United States, daily life was agrarian for most families. Children had farm chores that fostered responsibility, physical activity, problem solving, empathy, independence, work ethic and self-esteem. These experiences and skills are often now lost in modern urban lifestyles. At One Acre Farm, we help children have these experiences and gain knowledge and skills related to home mini-farming.
At One Acre Farm, we believe that children need to be outside and moving around, experiencing the routines of care for animals, being introduced to skills like making mud pies and hammering nails. Best of all, we believe that children need to get dirty. Like life on a working farm, these classes and sessions take place rain or shine. Homeschooling is often unique in that a parent teaches multiple ages/grades together. The format of these classes supports that type of learning atmosphere. This is a 6 weekly session outdoor farm course that encompasses essential elementary skills & learning activities through outdoor and farm experiences. Parents are required to stay for a portion of the first class. Parents may choose to remain for all classes or drop off their child. |
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Homeschool Farm Course
ages 7-13 Thursdays 8:30a-10:30a Oct - Dec 2021 $10 registration fee $240 class fee Due to holidays, the 6 classes are combined into 5 classes. Thu Oct 28 Rabbits Thu Nov 4 Goats & Gardening Thu Nov 11 Chickens & Ducks Thu Nov 18 (No Class) Thu Dec 2 Horses Thu Dec 9 Beekeeping Note: Goats and gardening are usually their own individual classes. Due to the holidays, these two are being combined into one class in order to complete the course prior to the end of the year. INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
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Gardening & Composting-Intro to mini-farming, history of ag based lives, history of mass food production, benefits of home gardening, gmo/non-gmo, heirloom/hybrid, plant needs, soil types, plant a garden, nature journal, essay.
Chickens & Ducks-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Rabbits-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Goats-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, hands-on milking(if a goat is with milk) nature journal, essay.
Horses-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, observation, hands-on grooming, nature journal, essay. (NOTE- This is not a horse riding class)
Beekeeping-History of honey bee, history of human management, geographical movement, uses and products, hive box methods, identification, life cycle, reproduction, pollination, honey manufacturing, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Chickens & Ducks-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Rabbits-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Goats-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, quiet observation, hands-on milking(if a goat is with milk) nature journal, essay.
Horses-History of domestication, geographical movement, breeds, uses, housing, feed, genetics, digestion, reproduction, observation, hands-on grooming, nature journal, essay. (NOTE- This is not a horse riding class)
Beekeeping-History of honey bee, history of human management, geographical movement, uses and products, hive box methods, identification, life cycle, reproduction, pollination, honey manufacturing, quiet observation, nature journal, essay.
Requirements for participation:
Registration and payment completed
Reading of waiver
Completion of medical release if dropping off child
Registration and payment completed
Reading of waiver
Completion of medical release if dropping off child
Format of Homeschool Farm School
-Socratic Method of discussion in outdoor classroom
-Short intro on subject
-Pose question,"What do you already know about...?"
-Pose question,"What do you want to know about...?"
-Interactive Lecture- World history, timelines, geography, domestication, genetics, movement across the world, biology (parts of body, digestion, etc...), different uses, different products, how to raise, housing, feed, etc.... are all covered in each class.
-Preparation for study area- Students gather supplies, and are advised on how and what to observe. Observation is an important skill to have throughout life. Tips and methods of observation and note taking are heavily focused on.
-Study Area- Biology info from the lecture is summarized in the study area. This creates a relevant connection of the paper diagrams used in the lecture to viewing and interacting with the live animal. The students have access to the animals/objects for catching, touching, petting, observing etc... The students are allowed freedom to play and interact with each other in the study area.
-Nature Journal
The student is given time to be alone and quiet, in order to draw and journal about the class and what they’ve observed. . Some choose to go back to the study area to observe for drawing.
-Socratic Method of discussion in outdoor classroom
-answer the question of "What do you want to know about..."
-determine if they found out the answer(s) and discuss
-Essay Writing
-First class focuses on how to write a basic 5 paragraph essay
-We do a brainstorming web together, choose paragraph topics and write the intro and first paragraph together. They write the rest of the essay.
-The essays are shared either by me reading them or the students reading them.
-In subsequent classes, we do the brainstorming web together but they do the entire essay writing themselves.
-Free Time
-If there are a few minutes before end of class, the students have the freedom to roam the farm and interact with the animals.
-Socratic Method of discussion in outdoor classroom
-Short intro on subject
-Pose question,"What do you already know about...?"
-Pose question,"What do you want to know about...?"
-Interactive Lecture- World history, timelines, geography, domestication, genetics, movement across the world, biology (parts of body, digestion, etc...), different uses, different products, how to raise, housing, feed, etc.... are all covered in each class.
-Preparation for study area- Students gather supplies, and are advised on how and what to observe. Observation is an important skill to have throughout life. Tips and methods of observation and note taking are heavily focused on.
-Study Area- Biology info from the lecture is summarized in the study area. This creates a relevant connection of the paper diagrams used in the lecture to viewing and interacting with the live animal. The students have access to the animals/objects for catching, touching, petting, observing etc... The students are allowed freedom to play and interact with each other in the study area.
-Nature Journal
The student is given time to be alone and quiet, in order to draw and journal about the class and what they’ve observed. . Some choose to go back to the study area to observe for drawing.
-Socratic Method of discussion in outdoor classroom
-answer the question of "What do you want to know about..."
-determine if they found out the answer(s) and discuss
-Essay Writing
-First class focuses on how to write a basic 5 paragraph essay
-We do a brainstorming web together, choose paragraph topics and write the intro and first paragraph together. They write the rest of the essay.
-The essays are shared either by me reading them or the students reading them.
-In subsequent classes, we do the brainstorming web together but they do the entire essay writing themselves.
-Free Time
-If there are a few minutes before end of class, the students have the freedom to roam the farm and interact with the animals.
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Guidelines
-Parent/caregiver must attend a portion of the first class with child. Parents may choose to stay for the entire class time or drop off. - Pre-registration and payment must be completed in order to confirm your spot. Prior to attending, please read the Waiver and Liability Release below. -‘No shows’ will not be given a refund nor monies applied to a future event. - As we all know, weather changes quickly here. It can be raining one minute and then have sunshine the next and vice versa. If cancellation is necessary, we will give notice by an hour prior to the event. If cancellation is made, the make up class will be the immediate Sat after the Thu class, or a different date will be scheduled. - Please dress comfortably and in clothing/shoes that can get dirty. Your child will be getting dirty. A water hose will be available for spraying your child clean. Bring a towel and change of clothes for your child. -Consider bringing water and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer and any other items you may want. |
Upon Arrival
-One Acre Farm’s physical address is 3416 Magnolia Dr., 77365 -Park along the road in front of the farm. We suggest parking only one set of tires on the grass of the ditch. The ditches often remain wet and you may get stuck if you park all four tires in the grass. -Follow the signs and arrows directing you to the outdoor classroom. |
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE
*WARNING*
WARNING: UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE & REMEDIES CODE) AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.
*WARNING*
WARNING: UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE & REMEDIES CODE) A FARM ANIMAL PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES.
AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE
In accordance with Texas HB 262 and Texas Law Chapter 75
In consideration of being permitted by One Acre Farm,One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, to participate in activities at One Acre Farm and One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for damage for personal injury, death or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in activities at said facilities. This release is intended to discharge in advance, One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my/our participation in activities even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of those parties. It is understood that activities as the ones I will be participating in involve an element of risk and danger of accidents and knowing those risks, I hereby assume those risks. It is further agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risk is to be binding on my heirs and assigns. I agree to indemnify and to hold harmless,One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, from any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense which they may incur as the result of my death or any injury or property damage that I may sustain while participating in any activity at this facility.
I understand that by participating, all participants consent to photo images taken during activities to be used in any or all publications and websites related to One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers.
*WARNING*
WARNING: UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE & REMEDIES CODE) AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.
*WARNING*
WARNING: UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE & REMEDIES CODE) A FARM ANIMAL PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES.
AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE
In accordance with Texas HB 262 and Texas Law Chapter 75
In consideration of being permitted by One Acre Farm,One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, to participate in activities at One Acre Farm and One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for damage for personal injury, death or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in activities at said facilities. This release is intended to discharge in advance, One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my/our participation in activities even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of those parties. It is understood that activities as the ones I will be participating in involve an element of risk and danger of accidents and knowing those risks, I hereby assume those risks. It is further agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risk is to be binding on my heirs and assigns. I agree to indemnify and to hold harmless,One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers, from any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense which they may incur as the result of my death or any injury or property damage that I may sustain while participating in any activity at this facility.
I understand that by participating, all participants consent to photo images taken during activities to be used in any or all publications and websites related to One Acre Farm, One Acre Farm Educational Foundation, Catherine Griffin, Nicole Jones and other staff/volunteers.