Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Maple Syrup Demonstration





Yesterday was the God's World class for February. We had friends of ours come and tell the children about tapping maple trees and collecting sap for syrup. Their family does this every year and sell between 100 and 200 gallons a year. They have a blog as well... Yoder Farm. The top picture is Paul explaining something to the children. He drilled into a piece of our firewood to show them how he drills the holes. He put in a spile and showed them how he connects tubing to flow into a bucket. He also passed around some maple syrup for them to try. There were lots of questions and I think everyone (me included) learned a lot.

During the year, each of the children have to demonstrate something to the other children. It teaches them to organize their thoughts, speak in front of others and to show someone how to do something. Some of the parents really try to help, but I discourage this. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It just lets them practice these skills. The boy in the first picture is showing how to make a gift bag. He gave each family instructions to take home. You would never have to buy another gift bag. He did a great job. The last picture above is another boy that showed how to rope something. He explained it very clearly... How to hold the rope, what to do with your arm and hand... and he was able to rope a 5 gallon bucket almost every time. I told him that he forgot his cowboy hat and boots. I also told him the next time my cow gets out that I am calling him!!! =)


These pictures show what is going on weather wise at our farm today. We are supposed to get between 4 and 12 inches (depending on who you listen to). We are grateful for all that we get. In the meadow...

10 comments:

LadySnow said...

Looks like it was an interesting day!

Oh yes...I was just informed the other day that we both know Debra in CA. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi buddy!

This is me again.Vinicius from Brazil.
Interesting day, doesn't it???
i don't know if i told you i love your pics,are pretty cool, love to see your animals and your farm.
i don't know if read but i posted in "your 100 things about you"
hope to hear bout u soon!
keep in touch
LORD BLESS YOU!!!

MSN:rocker_boy_23@hotmail.com

Betty said...

Marci, Thank you for dropping by to visit with me, and for the lovely compliments. I am new to blogging but have met so many nice people.
I will be back to visit your blog.
God Bless.

Jen said...

Thanks for your advice and stopping by my blog...I enjoyed your pictures...stay warm with all that snow...I wish we could get some snow...I'm in western Ky and we are right on the Ohio river which shifts are snow north....your barn is nice...we have old barns in our family....200 year old barns at that.

Kelli said...

Brrr....hope you are staying warm and cozy on your farm! The maple syrup demonstration sounds like fun. When I was little, our neighbors would boil it in their shed every spring. I'll never forget the wonderful smell.
Kelli

Marci said...

Melanie, yes Debra told me. Welcome to Betty and Jen. I really loved reading your blogs. Kelli, they had some syrup cooking on the stove to let us smell what it is like in the sugar shacks.

Lynn Bartlett said...

You are such a great teacher, Marci! You can come and teach our boys any time!

Kristi said...

I love the deomonstration idea for the kids. I'll have to bring that up to our homeschool group at church. This would be so much fun!
Thanks for sharing.

~Kristi

Tina Leigh said...

I love maple syrup...Danny says it is the yankee (my daddy is from Maine) coming out of me. Danny loves cane syrup. It always sounds like fun at your house.

Anonymous said...

Marci they started to tap trees here.. Its cold in the morning this morning it was 8 and it gets up in the 30's durning the day. Yesterday it got up to 41 it felt like summer. Did chores no coat on felt great.. very good explantion on tapping the trees and pictures were good.. Brenda/haflinger