Page 47 - December Proof

Top Hogs wow second grade By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos
CastlePinesConnection.com
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Buffalo Ridge Elementary school second grade teachers Kelli Chastain, Natalie Brubaker and Dana Sedersten pose with a performing pig during a recent in- school field trip.
Buffalo Ridge Elementary school second graders recently hosted some special four-legged guests, Top Hogs. These preforming pigs helped the students round out their recent literature unit.
The second-grade team read Charlotte’s Web, by E.B White, the classic story of Wilbur the pig, and his barnyard friends, especially the spider, Charlotte. The book was chosen “for its rich vocabulary, character development, and to apply the practice of asking and answering questions while we read,” stated BRE teacher Natalie Brubaker.
After reading the book together as a class, students practiced comparison skills as they evaluated the difference and sameness
Top Hogs visited Buffalo Ridge second grade classes, delighting the students
with entertaining tricks. Students recently finished a literary unit about Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. They read the book, watched the movie and saw live pigs in action.
between the novel and the different movie versions. As a fun surprise for the kids, teachers arranged a visit from Top Hogs.
“The book does such a beautiful job bringing Wilbur to life, it is a fun extension for the students to see the connection to life like hogs” Brubaker said of the visiting animals.
BRE’s second grade was delighted with the in-house field trip. The preforming swine captivated the students with a variety of stunts and acts.
“I liked how they were doing amazing tricks like putting their toys away in a toy box. I liked how he was pushing a student on a skateboard. The show was amazing” said Zoey M.
The pigs are natural performers. They are good problem solvers, affectionate and smart.
They enjoy their reward for a job well done and attention from the crowd.
“I liked how we got to pet the pigs”, said Zoey. “Their skin was kind of rough, but I like soft skin better.”
Top Hogs is a family friendly set of animal performers, including pigs, horses, cats, dogs and birds. They are located on a 25-acre ranch in Franktown. Many of the animals have been rescued from abuse or abandonment. They perform at schools, state fairs and
in movies and television, including multiple late-night shows and America’s Got Talent.
December 2021