This lab was aimed to make us think that sometimes you don't have lot's of time to plan a lesson. As teachers, we have to be aware that sometimes it's pertinent to write a new lesson plan for the next day. We have the responsibility to act on teachable moments due to current events or other outside sources.
I was lucky enough to get a set of animal science standards, so it aligned with my strengths. Unfortunately though, it was a set of animal nutrition standards...eww. So what does a pre-service teacher do in a crunch? I wrote a lecture lesson plan defining the different factors in animal nutrition.
PSYCH!
I wrote up a pretty cool lab lesson. I designed a lesson on how to make TMR (Total Mixed Ration). I bought snack like foods and made up 3 ration problems for the students. The first ration problem I talked through and showed students how to complete the problem. The second ration problem the students and I worked through together. The last problem was theirs to complete and then physically make the TMR from the snack food. The students were each provided with there own scales and the appropriate means to collect and store there ration parts.
Over all, I think the lab was a success. My student's (aka peers) really seemed to enjoy the lab. As always though, there is something to learn. If I would of had more time, I could of more properly prepared. I had to estimate the weights of an individual snack item and then estimate the total amounts to make sure there would be enough for all the students. Food items either weighed more or less then what I estimated. This either resulted in excess or running out. This can easily be fixed, but was a key learning point for this lab.
Katie, thanks for sharing your reflection and a great visual from your lab! When designing lessons and planning for use of consumable materials, it is always good to measure out in advance to make sure you have more than you need. For a topic that might not have been your favorite (nutrition), you were able to create and deliver a fun and successful lesson!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great lesson, Katie! It was great to read your excitement between the lines. The reality is, you will have to make some last minute lesson plans and they can be engaging and fun, like you did here. Animal nutrition is a topic I found students enjoyed learning due to them wanting to know more about how and what and how much to feed their animals. I also like you included digital evidence of a "Student" who enjoyed your lesson.
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