Kindergarten students from WTA recently embarked on an exciting field trip to the Stamford Nature Center, bringing their classroom learning about animals to life in the great outdoors.

In preparation for the trip, students spent several weeks reading a mix of fiction and nonfiction books all about animals. Favorites included Two Cool Cows, The Cow That Went Oink, Chicken Little, and Cock-a-Doodle-Hoooo!, which sparked laughter, questions and curiosity about creatures big and small.

The Nature Center visit gave students the chance to explore natural trails, observe wildlife up close and interact with a variety of animals. They were thrilled to meet gentle farm animals like horses and donkeys—and even more excited (and a little nervous!) to pet some of the center’s more unusual residents, including cockroaches, snakes and a 55-year-old turtle.

“Our students were so brave and eager to learn,” said Moreh Jeff, Kindergarten General Studies Teacher. “They’ve been talking about animals in class for weeks, but seeing them up close—and even touching them—makes the learning so much more real and memorable.”

The trip was a perfect blend of adventure, discovery and hands-on learning, helping students connect with nature and develop respect for all living things. Thank you to Moreh Jeff, Morah Liat, Morah Tovah and Moral Yael, and all the parent volunteers who joined the trip, for making this formative trip possible for the students!