Viewfinder: Furry Friends Abound at L'Anse Creuse 'Green Day'

L'Anse Creuse Pankow Center horticulture students joined Green Elementary third-graders and a herd of furry animals Wednesday for "Green Day," an event that combines a series of educational activities with hands-on fun for the students.

“Green Day is the culminating activity where students will learn how to make a corsage or boutonniere, plant vegetables and flowers, work with the composting worms and experience animals such as ducks, horses, bunnies and reptiles,” said Shirley Tautolo, horticulture teacher.

Throughout the school year, Pankow horticulture students have visited Green Elementary to teach students about agriculture and the environment.

"It's a great way to mix two schools," said Robin Ruzicska, third-grade teacher at Green. "It's a great environmental lesson that teaches us how our earth provides for us."

In addition to learning about the culinary and gardening uses of plants, students also had the opportunity to visit with a variety of animals, including a half-dozen bunnies and two horses.

From how to care for them to how to ride, students Samantha Colombo Kyle Smith, Leslie Decker and Kayla Wood literally took the reins on teaching the third-graders about horses.

"It's just responsibility," Colombo said. "I think actually having animals teaches you how to treat things with respect. I've learned so much from animals. It makes you a better person, really."

Third-grader Seth Miller, 8, learned at least one important lesson from Colombo's horses.

"When you go behind a horse, it can kick," Miller said. Luckily for Miller, this nugget of knowledge came from observation rather than experience.