Riverdale First Graders Explore Learning in Action at the Farm Park

Riverdale Elementary first graders recently took their learning outside the classroom with a field trip to the Bobby Lanier Germantown Farm Park.

The trip, organized by first grade teacher Sydney Digby, gave students the chance to experience science standards in real time through hands-on exploration right here in their own backyard.

From the moment students arrived, the day was full of movement and discovery. Classes rotated through interactive stations, beginning with a park ranger who introduced students to native animals and plant life found right in Germantown. Students examined clovers and dandelions up close, identifying parts of plants and discussing how they grow and function.

Inside the pavilion, students were introduced to the animals they would soon meet, learning fun identifying traits before heading into the barn. There, they encountered ducks, chickens, bunnies, and other springtime animals, with some even getting the chance to gently interact with them. Outside, students fed goats and explored fenced areas where animals roamed freely.

The pace of the day kept students fully engaged, with each station offering something new to see, touch, and learn.

“It was so engaging,” said first grade teacher Malerie Young. “They never had time to get bored. They were actively participating the entire time and just ready for whatever came next.”

Beyond the excitement, the experience connected directly to classroom learning. Students applied their understanding of plant parts, explored how animals live and grow, and began to see how those concepts fit into the world around them.

“They connected so much to our science standards,” Young said. “They were identifying leaves, stems, and talking about how plants make food. You really can’t ask for a better real-world connection than that.”

The day wrapped up with a picnic lunch, where students enjoyed time together outdoors, some gathered under the pavilion and others spread out across the lawn.

For many, the biggest surprise was discovering that a working farm exists right in Germantown.
“It really is a hidden gem,” Young said. “We had no idea there was a whole farm right here in our city.”

Field trips like this bring learning to life in ways that stick. For Riverdale’s first graders, it was a day full of fresh air, curiosity, and hands-on experiences that connected directly back to the classroom.