1 . For students at the Farm School in Hamilton, Virginia, the classroom is outside every day. Jaclyn Jenkins is the founder of the school. “The No.1 question we get immediately from parents is ‘What happens if it rains?’ And we say, ‘Bring an extra set of clothes!’ ” Jenkins adds, “We still educate them. Their brains are working when they’re moving. So unlike other schools, our goal is to always be outside.” The Farm School is a preschool, a place for 3- to 4-year-olds to learn and play.
Alison Huff has taught at other schools. She says the Farm School gives its students more of hands-on learning experiences. For example, children use pumpkins to learn about colors and counting. They learn about measurement by planting seeds 30 centimeters apart. Huff adds, “We can use everything a regular preschool uses, but out in the garden.” In addition to planting vegetables and fruits, children help prepare food and clean up afterwards. The school teaches the children to cook using the food they have grown. “They can see the benefits of what they have in the garden and taste it then instead of going to the grocery store and buying it,” says Huff.
The preschoolers also learn words in languages other than English. Huff speaks in both English and Spanish. Her assistant speaks French and Arabic. A 3-year-old in her class speaks four different languages.
Farm animals are also an important part of the education program. Jenkins says the children learn about a different animal every month. Two months ago, she says, that animal was a cow. “We do actually have a cow that we bring to the school. They get to see what the cow is like, and learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.
The idea for a school like this started after Jenkins and her husband bought a farm in Hamilton, with a late 18th-century house. They called it “One Day Farm” because years earlier they had hoped that “one day” they would have a farm. “That’s when it started, the spark of a farm school,” said Jenkins.
1. What is the biggest difference between the Farm School and others?| A．There are many plants and animals this school. |
| B．This school is mainly for students to learn farming. |
| C．Almost all the activities take place outside at this school. |
| D．This school is quite popular among parents and children. |
| A．Raise turkeys and cows. | B．Plant vegetables and fruits. |
| C．Prepare food and clean up. | D．Recognize colors and count. |
| A．By listing. | B．By comparison. | C．By logic. | D．By example. |
