Acushnet Kindergarteners Invite Dairy Cow Into Classroom

Kindergarten teachers are probably some of the most patient, kind people in the world.  There aren't many people willing and able to herd a classroom full of 5-year-olds five days a week for 180 days. It's a lot.

It's a job I couldn't do if you offered me double the pay. If I were forced to be a kindergarten teacher for a day, my strategy would be to just somehow maintain order, keep everybody safe and, if possible, teach one or two things to the kids.

There certainly wouldn't be any cows involved in my lesson plans, but that's not how Acushnet kindergarten teacher Jo-Ann Silva rolls. She has partnered with Discover Dairy's Adopt a Cow program. It gives children an inside look at dairy farming by "adopting" a cow for their classroom.

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Acushnet kindergarten students adopted a 94-pound dairy calf named Oreo from MacGlaflin farm in northern New England. Oreo is a Holstein cow, born on Sept. 13, 2023. Kindergarteners virtually welcome Oreo into their classroom with photos, live chats and stories about her life on the farm.

The program includes lessons, videos, activities, crafts and recipes for students. Students also take turns bringing the classroom's stuffed cow home for a special family writing project, "The Adventures of Oreo."

Needless to say, Silva says, "The kids love the program."