Recent activities on the Shrub Oak International Farm highlight how hands-on, purposeful experiences can support student learning while fostering responsibility, creativity, and meaningful connections with animals and the environment. Guided by the farm instructor, students have been actively engaged in projects that blend practical life skills, sensory engagement, and animal care, reinforcing the school’s transdisciplinary approach to education.
One recent activity involved students creating colorful suncatchers, a project that combined creativity with fine motor skill development. Working with different materials, textures, and colors allowed students to explore visual design while practicing focus, planning, and sequencing. The process of assembling the suncatchers encouraged patience and attention to detail, while the finished pieces provided a tangible outcome students could take pride in. Displayed around the farm, the suncatchers also contribute to the environment, adding personal touches that reflect student involvement and ownership of the space.
In addition to creative projects, students have been participating in the care and enrichment of the farm’s animals. A recent hands-on lesson focused on making homemade toys for the farm’s bunnies. Through this activity, students learned how enrichment supports animal well-being by encouraging natural behaviors such as chewing, exploring, and playing. Using safe, appropriate materials, students worked step by step to assemble the toys, gaining insight into how thoughtful design can meet the needs of animals in their care. These lessons reinforced responsibility and empathy, as students considered what would be both engaging and safe for the animals.
Animal care education continued with preparation for an upcoming goat training session. Students and the farm staff have been working on training the goats to stand calmly on a trimming stand, an essential step before trimming their hooves. This process introduces students to routine livestock care practices and emphasizes the importance of consistency, trust, and gentle handling. Training sessions allow students to observe animal behavior closely, learn proper safety techniques, and understand why hoof care is critical to a goat’s health and mobility.
Through these farm-based activities, students practice collaboration, communication, and problem-solving in real-world contexts. Tasks such as crafting, building, and animal training require students to follow instructions, adapt to challenges, and work together toward shared goals. These experiences also offer opportunities for sensory regulation, as the farm environment provides varied sights, sounds, and tactile experiences that can be grounding and engaging.
The Shrub Oak International Farm continues to serve as a dynamic learning environment where academic, social, and life skills intersect. By integrating creative projects with hands-on animal care, the farm program supports individualized learning while fostering independence and confidence. These recent activities reflect the school’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful, student-centered experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom and into everyday life.
