(ABC News/WZZM) -- Students at a Grand Rapids school lined the halls Monday for what the teachers call the running of the ducks.

A mother duck and her 11-hatchlings walked through the halls of Ken-O-Sha Elementary and then outside to the nearby river!

Ducks have nested in the school's courtyard for the past 30 years.

Teachers say the running of the ducks gives students a fun and unique opportunity to learn about nature.

"The kids are so excited, they come by the windows and are like 'whoa, look there's the duck, there's the mommy, look at them.' And when they came out today, they were so excited to watch them and they get a closer view than they usually do," said Jolynn Bosch, a teacher at Ken-O-Sha Elementary.

The eggs hatched Wednesday.