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Union Preschool has barnyard fun
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott .Elliana Thompson (right) pet a rabbit, held by Brenda Markley, from the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm at the Feb. 27 Barnyard Friends presentation.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.The Barnyard Friends program was presented by Jordan Rohaley (left) and Brenda Markley from the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm Feb. 27.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott .Brenda Markley used a farm board to discuss animal facts and where one would find certain animals on a farm at the Barnyard Friends presentation at Union Preschool Feb. 27.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Brenda Markley (left) holds a chicken from the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm for Tucker Tarajack to pet at Union Preschool Feb. 27.
By NATALIE SCOTT
Jordan Rohaley and Brenda Markley from the Mill Creek MetroParks brought their Barnyard Friends presentation to Poland Union Preschool Feb. 27.
“We visit every school in the Mahoning County, maybe not with this particular program, but with one of our other programs, all of which are really informative and the students love,” said Markley. “The Barnyard Friends program is definitely everyone’s favorite program we offer because the students get to see and touch real live animals.”
Markley began the presentation by discussing the different animals found on a farm, such as pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats, and more. Then, Markley played animal noises for the students and asked them to guess which animal made those noises.
Markley told the students many facts about the barnyard animals, including the proper names for certain animals at different stages in their lives, such as a baby sheep being a lamb and a baby cow being a calf.
After learning all about the different animals on a farm, Markley and Rohaley brought out three animals – a rabbit, a chicken, and a kid or baby goat – for the students to pet. This was the students’ favorite part of the presentation.
“I think it’s great that the MetroParks Farm brings the animals out to the students for them to see,” said Mrs. Bucci, one of the preschool teachers at Union. “In April, we will be taking a field trip to the farm and all of the students are excited. I think it’s great that this program is offered free to schools and it’s great to know we have resources like that.”