Handbook of Nature-Study · Lesson LXV · Topic 8: Domestic animals
65. The goat
Goal: Your child can explain how a goat's feet, teeth and keen senses suit a climbing animal of the mountains, and name some things people get from goats.
You'll need
- A visit to goats: a farm, petting farm, fair or zoo
- A piece of cheese made from goat's milk (optional)
- A nature notebook and a pencil (colored pencils if you have them)
What's in the book
Comstock's story of goats and people since ancient times (milk, cheese, hair cloth, water bags of goat skin), goat ways and breeds. Then Lesson LXV's leading thought, method with writing topics, and seven groups of questions.
The lesson, step by step
When and where
Any season, but spring brings young kids. Comstock says this lesson "should not be given unless the pupils have an opportunity for making direct observations on the animal's appearance and habits." A petting farm, a 4-H barn at a county fair, or a neighbor's goats are all good.
Safety first
Farm safety: ask the owner before you go near the animals, stay outside the fence unless you are invited in, and wash hands with soap and water after touching animals or their pens. No eating or drinking in the animal area.
Goats butt and nibble clothing. Stand to the side rather than straight in front of a goat with horns, and feed only what the owner gives you, from a flat palm.
Keep the big idea in mind
Comstock's "leading thought" is the one idea the lesson is meant to lead to. Read it to yourself now, and save it to share at the end, after your child has looked and answered:
Goats are among our most interesting domesticated animals, and their history is closely interwoven with the history of the development of civilization. In Europe, their milk is made into cheese that has a world-wide fame; and from the hair of some of the species, beautiful fabrics are woven. The goat is naturally an animal of the high mountains.
Climbers
Watch the goats climb on rocks, stumps or ramps.
Do you think that goats like to climb to high points? Are they fitted to climb steep, inaccessible places? Can they jump off steep places in safety? How does it happen the goat is sure-footed?
Look at the split hoof with its two toes.
Eating
What does the goat eat? Where does it find its natural food on mountains? How are the teeth arranged for cutting its food? Does a goat chew its cud like a cow?
Watch a resting goat's jaw: you may see it bring up a cud and chew.
Horns, beard and voice
Describe the horns. Do they differ from the horns of the sheep? How does a goat fight? Does he strike head on, like the sheep, or sidewise?
What noises does a goat make? Do you understand what they mean?
Look closely at a goat's eye, too: the pupil is a sideways bar.
Put it into words
Ask your child to tell you three things a goat's body is good for, and three things people get from goats. Then read the leading thought aloud. If you have goat cheese, have a taste.
Nature notebook
Draw a goat's head with its horns, beard and bar-shaped pupil, and a goat's two-toed hoof. Write the date and where you met the goats.
Afterwards
For a writing day, Comstock suggests topics such as "The Milch Goat of Switzerland" and "The Angora Goat". Milch is an old word for milk-giving.