Freshman Initiation!

Another week under my belt! Things are chugging right along! The freshman classes are getting better! We have moved into a topic that I am way more comfortable in, which is making my teaching much more natural, and the student's definitely seem to be enjoying it much more as well. We have moved from Career Prep to Animal Science! I am getting better at managing both the freshman classes. I have noticed that each class has their very own unique dynamic. The first class is more behaved, but not as social. Trying to have group discussions and an interactive class with them is difficult. The second section is almost reversed. They tend to be quite rowdy, but when able to successfully manage and direct the energy, the class discussions are fantastic and they are very willing to participate! I look forward to the more lessons these two classes will teach me.

We all know that each chapter does things there own way. Coming from my own ag program, I already have my own views of how I've seen things done. My home chapter gave out there Greenhand degree's at our Chapter Banquet at the end of the school year. Here in Albion, they give them out now at there own Greenhand Meeting. I was looking forward to this meeting, and it was quite nice! Definitely something to consider in my own future program. It gave me a chance to be social with parents and other local supporters! I also got to say the Adviser part of opening ceremonies, so check that off my list!

Folks, we're not in college anymore (kinda)

I have completed my first week of actually teaching! Besides a few minor kinks working themselves out, it couldn't have gone better! As some of you know, technology and I are working on being friends, and I'm slowly learning the benefits of google classroom. I have two sections of an intro class, and we completed resumes and cover letters with google classroom. I really liked not having to worry about losing student papers and the simple convenience of it. Also it was nice to be able to monitor student progress. Another thing these (mostly) freshman will teach me is classroom management. Let's just say, it's gonna be good. Haha.

Another class I started teaching this week was Landscaping, where we are covering Pesticide Certification. I have been looking forward to this class. It requires covering a lot of content in a short period of time, but that activities that go with it are fantastic! The activities help make difficult topics much easier for students to grasp. This past week we completed a Bio-magnification activity, and it really seemed to benefit the students, the light bulbs went off! This coming week, there is a pheromone activity and I really think the students will get a kick out of it!

One last thing Id like to say. I really enjoy having my own space in our classroom. I decorated and organized my desk to suit my needs and organization style. I have a quote box, where everyday a new inspirational quote is shared. I also have a little easel where I either post a daily riddle or the "holiday of the day." I thought these things were more for my benefit, but I have had many students stop to read the quote or ask me the answer to the riddle. It has created a great opportunity for a fun and open conversation between me and my student's.

Thursday's Riddle: A slender body, a tiny eye, no matter what happens, I never cry. What am I?

A needle

Ready or Not... It's Time to Teach!

Week 1 is already over! Between the flurry of Farm Show and moving to Erie from across the state, it went by so fast! This week gave me the opportunity to get a jump start on my various responsibilities as a student teacher, as I was not yet teaching this week. I got to start building some fantastic bonds with students and fellow teachers and administrators! I had applied for a $500 grant back in October from CHS for Albion's new Sugar Shack, and I won! I met with Business Manager Melanie Floyd and Yvonne Teed, our Director of Curriculum. They were so pleased to receive the check and were grateful to see such enthusiasm in helping to improve the program.

Pictured Left to Right:
Melanie Floyd, Katie Smith, Yvonne Teed

This was a great way to end Week 1. I look forward to the many more weeks to come!

Did someone say Farm Show?!?

It's that time of year! People from all across the state (and some even farther) come to Harrisburg Pennsylvania to view the spectacular event that is Farm Show! My students made the journey from Erie Pennsylvania to be a part of this amazing event. My students had the opportunity to complete a goose chase while visiting Farm Show! With the prize of milkshakes, it wasn't hard to convince them to compete! Goose Chase is a scavenger hunt app where you can create missions for others to complete. The missions could be anything from...

Take a selfie with a state officer

Take a picture of you riding your favorite tractor

Take a selfie with the sow and her piglets

and so many more!

Despite the weather and the long drive, Farm Show was quite an adventure! But alas, it was time to head back home! Till next year!

Micro-Teaching: Social Media Smarts

Karlie and I had the opportunity to micro teach at Bald Eagle High School. I taught his leadership class, which consisted of 8 students. We covered the importance of using social media appropriately.

The first day, I started with two very impactful short videos. The videos showed how social media can be seen by EVERYONE! I think it really shocked the students.

For the bulk of class, I presented a PowerPoint and had class discussions on various points around social media safety.

On day 2, I had student's compete in a goose chase! Goose chase has missions that are worth various points. The team to collect the most points, or all the points first wins! They had to make "fake" posts on social media around certain topics. Topics included highlighting there program, promoting a fundraiser, and taking fun but appropriate selfies! The kids loved the interactive activity and it really got them thinking about how we need to think before posting things.

On the third day, students completed a quiz. The quiz included various definitions from the PowerPoint as well as picking out inappropriate and appropriate posts. The kids overall did very well!

The biggest take away from micro teaching. 43 minutes goes by really fast. Haha So be diligent and purposeful!

Lighting up Lab with Bio-fuels using Inquiry

It was time to put our knowledge of Inquiry Based Instruction to the test! We were challenged with creating an Inquiry lesson and had to use the supplies from a Lab Aids Kit. We didn't have to use the kit as prescribed if we chose not too. I chose the Bio-fuels kit, and used an adaption of a prescribed lab. 

To create my lesson, I began by adapting a resource given to us by Krista Pontius and Mark Anderson. I adapted a lab handout to match what I wanted to accomplish in my lab. After that, it all just kinda fell together. See the link below to see the Lesson Plan and Lab Handout!

Biofuels Combustion By-Products Lab

It was time to put my lab to the test! Due to a time limit for my actual presentation, we front loaded reading the background and writing a hypotheses. We then began the lab with there procedure puzzle, which they had to organize in the correct order. I did this because of the nature of the lab. It still allowed for student choice, but made sure that certain safety and chemical precautions were taken. Once all student's completed there puzzles, which I admit took longer then I expected, they were released to collect their materials and begin their lab. The students seemed thoroughly interested in the lab, in fact, when my time was up, they requested extra time to complete it! This is the point of Inquiry!!! Student driven learning!!! 

This lab was such a great experience! I learned so much about Inquiry and really enjoyed writing this plan. It also served as a great confidence booster as I have been deemed the "Rock Star of IBI" by my fellow cohort member's. I feel honored to have been able to assist my cohort member's on their understanding of IBI and helping advance us along our #PSUAGED18 journey. 

Making Student FBI's with IBI (Inquiry Based Instruction)

This week, we are taking the plunge into Inquiry Based Instruction. IBI is unique in the fact that it takes the spotlight off the teacher. Student's are truly in charge of there learning. In this method, student's are taught to think critically to solve there problems instead of depending on the teacher to spoon feed them the information. This is accomplished when using these 5 steps.

The first step is questioning. Inquisition in stating a “what if ” or “I wonder” question to be investigated. An example from our reading states, "Students in an introductory agricultural education course notice that one of the two plants the class planted on the same day and placed in different parts of the classroom is bigger than the other. This observation may cause the students to ask, “What is making Plant A grow faster than Plant B?”"

The next step is to design your plan of action. This means to be brainstorming possible procedures and identifying an “I think” statement to test. An example would be: "Students know plants need water to grow. They know the plants receive the same amount of water because they are responsible for watering the plants and give the same amount of water to each plant. Since the students know the water is the same for each plant, they decide there must be another explanation for the difference in plant growth. The students research plant growth and find light and temperature are also important factors. The students decide to monitor the light in each location to see if a light difference exists."

The third step is to experiment. This is the hands-on portion of the method. For example: " Every hour, the students check each plant and mark if the plant is in the sun or not."

Summation is the next step. This involves collecting evidence and drawing conclusions. For example: "At the conclusion of the experiment, the students find Plant A receives four hours more sunlight than Plant B. They can conclude light affected the different growth rates of the two plants."

Finally the last step is exhibition. Sharing your findings with others around you helps others learn. For example: "Since the students did such a good job finding the answer to their question, the teacher asks them to share their work with the plant science class. The students explain each aspect of their experiment process and discuss the findings and conclusions."

Overall, I personally see the benefit of teaching SOME lessons in this manner. I however do not believe in the teaching purely IBI. It is important to teach critical thinking and for students to understand that life isn't spoon fed to you. However, some things just have to be taught by the teacher. We are teachers for a reason.



Sources:

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC07500.pdf

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC07600.pdf