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Educational Opportunities at McFarland Ranch Field trips to McFarland Ranch
Students learn that to be able to see at night one must make candles for light, to eat, a garden must be planted. They find as they twist, turn, and decorate their corn husk dolls that toys were simple and rarely elaborate nor plentiful. Students toil over a washboard and wringer to clean clothes, probably wondering how long it would take to wash the closet full of clothing at home by hand instead of pushing a button. For more information about field trips at McFarland Ranch, contact us. Service Learning at McFarland Ranch In addition to preserving local history, one of the goals of the McFarland Ranch is to provide educational opportunities for students and teachers. When the Galt Area Historical Society approved the McFarland Ranch project in 1998, Galt educators enthusiastically endorsed the concept and looked for ways to begin incorporating the ranch into their curriculum. In the spring of 2000, a fourth grade class from Fairsite Elementary School visited to participate in the first living history program at McFarland Ranch. In the same spring, the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District received a grant from the California Department of Education's CalServe Initiative to begin developing a district wide service learning program. Service-learning, as defined by the National and Community Service Trust Act (1993), is "an innovation instructional strategy that actively involves youth in the curriculum through service to their community." Key elements of service learning include: The McFarland Ranch was an ideal site for Galt schools to involve youth in service to the community while teaching social studies, language arts, humanities, and citizenship. In 2000 the GJUESD formed a partnership with the GAHS to coordinate service learning at McFarland Ranch. District staff began working on a McFarland Ranch curriculum and developing activities for students. Teachers attended workshops at the McFarland Ranch and learned that service learning is an effective teaching strategy that can be used in all curriculum areas. Each year the involvement of school children in the restoration of the ranch has increased. During 2003 students from Elk Grove and Lodi also participated in service learning at McFarland Ranch. Some of the recent accomplishments include: Grant funding to support the GJUESD service learning program comes from CalServ and Go SERV. Additional funding to support service learning at McFarland Ranch and in the community is provided by Galt's service clubs including Galt Rotary and Galt Kiwanis, and through corporate and private donations. For more information contact: John Durand
Cosumnes River Preserve Office
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Galt Area Historical Society, Inc. - Post Office Box 782 - Galt, CA 95632 - (209) 745-0951 -
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The McFarland Living History Ranch is quickly becoming a popular destination for California Central Valley students and beyond. The students
enter a portal of time back to the late 1800's. Judging by the smiles and
laughter learning is fun, not only fun but also something students remember a
lifetime. Life was not flipping a switch, watching television or having a room
full of toys to play with.