Poland students learn value of sheep

POLAND

Dobbins Elementary students learned some sheep tricks Thursday.

They rambunctiously clamored to ask and answer questions during “Woolly Critters,” a Mill Creek MetroParks program presented by park educator Kim Moff. The demonstration taught students about the process of shearing, spinning and weaving sheep fur to produce wool yarn and textiles.

Woolly Critters has long been an annual fixture at the school. It’s organized by third-grade teacher Debbie Patsko, who said it’s a hands-on way to tie together some of their social-studies lessons.

It was also noses-on, as students sniffed a sample of lanolin, a byproduct of the wool-making process that also has skin-healing properties.

“It smells like Chapstick,” one said.

“It smells like sheep manure,” another declared.

The third-graders also learned about different types of fiber and what products people can get from sheep.

Read more about the program in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.