It's not every day that you hear about elementary students getting hands-on experience with farm life, but that's precisely the kind of educational innovation occurring at Ramona Boulevard Elementary School. As Duval County Public Schools reported, Principal Devonne Lampkin has transformed a portion of the school grounds into a thriving animal farm, complete with chickens, goats, and a potbelly pig, to offer up an experiential learning experience for students. "When they walk by, they'll say, ‘Oh my God, I love your chickens. I love your farm,’” Principal Lampkin told the publication, noting the community's enthusiasm for the initiative.
Beyond merely interacting with these animals, students are actively learning how to properly care for them, from the youngest kindergarteners to the veterans of the elementary school game. They are getting to see firsthand how to, say, nurse a chicken or feed a goat — experiences that stick with them and often shape their future ambitions. Science teacher Benjamin Newsom emphasized the importance of this exposure, saying, "It's been a really great experience, and it teaches a lot of these kids responsibility of taking care of something and feeding something other than themselves." Clearly, these educators aren't afraid to split some hairs when it comes to innovative teaching strategies.
The school's animal husbandry program isn't just for educational kicks; it's also a lifeline for personal development. According to what Principal Lampkin conveyed to Duval County Public Schools, the farm acts as a calming agent for students dealing with behavioral issues. "They’ll come out and help me feed the animals, and instantly they calm down and they stop crying," she said. It seems that the presence of animals is a boon both for learning and for emotional regulation.
Looking ahead, Ramona Boulevard Elementary has ambitious plans to further enrich their students' educational experiences. Principal Lampkin has already set her sights on partnerships with Baldwin Middle School and Frank H. Peterson Academy, offering students a stepping stone to more advanced veterinary and agricultural opportunities. "One of the most exciting things is that they already have a plan in place for students to take their skills to the next level after they leave elementary school," Lampkin said, gearing to present even more immersive and life-skills-oriented programs for her students.
