EY2 Experiential Learning Trip to Japalouppe

As a part of the unit on Sharing the Planet, the EY2 learners explored the concept of Connection between humans and animals as they went for their field trip to the petting zoo at Japalouppe. As it was their first field trip, they were naturally very excited, especially to meet all the animals.

We started early at 8:10 am after briefing the learners about safety rules and reminding them to stay close to the adults accompanying them. For some of our learners, it was their first time interacting with so many animals and they were a little anxious, but they looked forward to the experience.

The children had their snack on arrival. After a brief introduction about Japalouppe and the animals they would be seeing and feeding, each was given a bucket which consisted of carrots, bread and cabbage leaves in order to feed the animals. We started by feeding the emu with the leaves. This was followed by visiting and feeding more animals at the zoo. The horses, goats, cow, pig and rabbit were fed cabbage and carrot sticks while the ducks, geese, turtles and chicken were fed pieces of bread by our very enthusiastic feeders.

The opportunity to pet and interact with the rabbits, goat kids and the guinea pigs was enjoyed immensely, especially by the children who were initially anxious being close to the animals.They were risk takers as they petted and fed the animals despite their inhibitions.

This experiential learning provided opportunities for the learners to develop some ATL skills such as:

Communication skills as they listened to directions and information.

Social by cooperating in a group as they shared resources and space and took turns feeding the animals and interacting with them with care.

Research skills as they observed the animals using all senses to understand the characteristics of some animals, look for similarities in their physical appearance, food, habitat etc. And asking questions.

Thinking skills by learning new information, taking action and thinking before acting.

Self- management skills by completing tasks, taking care of self and adjusting to new situations with confidence.

The trip to Japalouppe was a great way to use their senses to explore, learn about, develop respect and appreciation of animals while learning about their own responsibilities as explorers and custodians of nature.

Human systems and economic activities	The study of how and why people construct organizations and systems; the ways in which people connect locally and globally; the distribution of power and authority.
Social organization and culture	The study of people, communities, cultures and societies in the ways in which individuals, groups and societies interact with each other.
Continuity and change through time	The study of the relationships between people and events through time; the past, its influences on the present and its implications for the future; people who have shaped the future through their actions.
Human and natural environments	The study of the distinctive features that give a place its identity; how people adapt to and alter their environment; how people experience and represent place; the impact of natural disasters on people and the built environment.
Resources and the environment	The interaction between people and the environment; the study of how humans allocate and manage resources; the positive and negative effects of this management; the impact of scientific and technological developments on the environment.

Living things	The study of the characteristics, systems and behaviours of humans and other animals, and of plants; the interactions and relationships between and among them, and with their environment.
Earth and space	The study of planet Earth and its position in the universe, particularly its relationship with the sun; the natural phenomena and systems that shape the planet and the distinctive features that identify it; the infinite and finite resources of the planet.
Materials and matter	The study of the properties, behaviours and uses of materials, both natural and human-made; the origins of human-made materials and how they are manipulated to suit a purpose.
Forces and energy	The study of energy, its origins, storage and transfer, and the work it can do; the study of forces; the application of scientific understanding through inventions and machines. (IBO, 2009)

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