The Chicks are out!!!

I am sure everyone has heard at home by now about our newest additions to the 308 family. Our baby chicks started hatching in the incubator early Monday morning (after 20 days of incubation), and by Wednesday morning we had 14 out of the shell. They were a bit of a distraction with all their peeping during EQAO, but the sixes put up with it so that they could get a chance to hold them when it was all over. It is amazing to see how gentle the class is with the chicks when they take them out of their crate. The whole class sat quietly for almost an hour just inspecting the chicks, trading them back and forth, and watching them. I need to kick them out at the end of the day as they want to stay and watch, and I even have resorted to checking bags as they leave as I am certain some will try to smuggle them home. The miracle of life sure has their attention right now, and it has been an amazing learning opportunity for everyone. One of the chicks does not have full use of its feet, and the class has shown the most amazing empathy towards this little creature. They all ask about it right away, and warn other students to be careful with it. You may notice that hands are cleaner than usual right now, as the kids are washing (with soap!) before and after handling the chicks. Drop in and take a look, but be prepared for 26 experts to tell you everything from how to pick them up, to which ones like to sleep, who pecks the most, etc.