Student Teaching - Day 26

Friday was an amazing day! Here are the two reasons why:

My awesome mom came to 3rd block Small Animal Care to give her presentation on dogs. She has a successful dog project group at the 4-H office, and Amy's class is still studying dogs, so it was perfect! First she spoke on scent and sight hounds, then had fun activities for the students to participate in that simulates being a sight or smell hound. Some of the items for the scent activity had the students complaining - garlic, onions, and tuna all in the same place were gross. However, I really think the students learned about which dogs are sight or scent hounds, and how better to utilize their dog's abilities.
Then she played Terrier Jeopardy with them. She worked really hard on a new game that focused just on the terrier group after I told her they have a test on Monday. When the students answered, it was evident who was already prepared and who needed more work. We also discussed with them how it's important when learning breeds, floriculture ID, or anything else, to not memorize the actual picture, but memorize the characteristics of the item. I think that helped some of them.






The second awesome thing about Friday was my field trip to Bledsoe Creek State Park with the wildlife class. I have been preparing this for weeks now, and I was really hoping for a large crowd. I invited anyone from the ag department, but anyone from Wildlife got extra credit for going. Originally, I had arranged for the Park Ranger to come speak to us for a few moments, then the students could fish while I got the food ready. However, when I got to the park after shopping for the food, he wasn't there at the scheduled time. Since he lives on the park and one of the students said he knows him well, he went up to talk to him. When the student got back, he informed me that the ranger totally forgot about it all and is too sick to come out. I was upset - not because he was sick, but because he didn't let me know by phone or email that he wasn't able to make it. A little professionalism is all I ask! Despite that setback, I had 23 people in all come to the park last night! Two boys also brought boats! I was so impressed by the amount of students, but also by their ability to keep their word. Every single student that promised me they would attend showed up. I just love all of them!
They fished (or tried to) until 6 when they all came back and ate - I barely had anything left over, so I really think everyone got their fill! I also gave away a few prizes. The biggest prize, a new tackle box, was given to a student who fished out a deer skeleton!
Overall, it was a awesome night that still has me in a good mood. I love my (future) job!

Student Teaching - Day 24 and 25

Wednesday was an easier, shorter day. In Wildlife Management, we finished discussing the concepts. While we reviewed, I asked questions and recorded what I asked so that I could make those the test questions for the next day. I knew if they answered it well the first day that they would have an easier time answering that exact wording on a test. Also, considering we're celebrating National FFA week, the dress-up theme for today was Camo. Since the students love the Thicket Game (where they wear camo and hide in the woods) they begged me to play again while lots of them had camo on. We did, and this time they were even better!

On Thursday, I gave 2nd block the quiz over wildlife management concepts. Surprisingly, even after only going over it for 2 days, most of them made some awesome grades! I explained to them once they turned it in that in a real situation, we would have gone over this for about a week and a half. However, since I'm leaving next week and I wanted to do some more things before I go, we were only spending a small amount of time on it, so they did an amazing job for just learning it a couple days before.

On Thursday night, I got to take 5 students to Goodwill Tour at MTSU. This was my first act as a chaperone and an advisor! Dr. Ricketts introduced all the schools and had the students stand. When the Portland students stood up, he introduced me as the student teaching advisor. It made me happy! After the state officers did their program, I quickly had my students take a picture with all of them before they ran off. I also asked Jesse Ford, the East TN VP, to give some advice to Michelle, our state officer candidate. I felt like such an advisor then! Afterwards, we went to eat at Toot's. When I went to the bathroom, the girls told our server it was my birthday (but it wasn't!) and when I came back, I started to hear the clapping that they so often do to celebrate someone's birthday. One of my students started smiling and I started getting worried. All of the sudden I saw the huge line of servers with ours in front, ice cream bowl in hand. They totally surprised me! It was hilarious. Those girls are so much fun.

Student Teaching - Day 24

I'm posting this from school because I'll be here for a while. Portland is hosting the district skills contest at 4. Today the shop has been extensively cleaned, and my 4th block spent the afternoon cleaning the classroom.

In 1st block, Amy was absent so I sat in with the sub while the students studied floriculture and worked on proficiencies.

In 2nd, we started again on the concept jigsaw. Once they finished, however, and I finally began explaining the concepts in detail, they were needed in the shop. I guess interruptions and extensions of projects are normal in teaching, but today it really frustrated me!

During 3rd block, we went to PLOW at Clyde Riggs again. This time the 1st graders wore their Portland FFA shirts. Very cute! I took lots of pictures, I'll post them once I'm on my home computer.

The same thing happened in 4th. I decided not to get detailed into the Big 4 personality test when they were still needed in the shop. Tomorrow should be fun - students always love finding out which of the 4 they are!

Student Teaching - Day 23

What a nice Monday. :)

Uneventful morning, nothing earthshattering in Floriculture. The students needed to work on their proficiencies so I just worked on information for 2nd block.

In 2nd, I still want to do the artificial blood trail challenge, but it's just too darn cold for the next few days. Therefore, I'm moving on to habitat requirements and management practices/concepts, until Thursday when we'll try to go outside. (Hopefully it won't rain!) The first half of the class was spent explaining the upcoming field trip on Friday (can't wait!), discussing the rest of the week, and then watching an old movie about hunting and living harmoniously with wildlife. It reminded me of the old reel movies people would watch in health classes that had stupid cartoon hosts. I showed most of it, but the main purpose was just to have them observe different stages of plant succession. There's no projector in the room so I haven't been able to use any darn PowerPoints, so I'll take visuals where I can! Then we began a jigsaw on the 13 concepts of wildlife management - but oh my goodness did it take a long time. I need a better way to explain a real jigsaw. And I probably should also pre-fold the paper for them. They didn't finish so tomorrow we will finish in groups, then I'll explain the concepts in more detail. I need to consider a way to review because I'm going to quiz them on it on Thursday.

In 4th block, one of my students had told me earlier in the day that she was being promoted at her place of employment. She then told me about a discussion she had with a co-worker and her near fight with this person. It made me realize that personality types is a good topic even for a Sales and Service class - so we took awesome personality quizzes all block. I loved hearing the students discuss why they chose a certain item on a quiz, and rationalize why that's their personality or not. I still have half of the quizzes to do tomorrow, and then we're doing the more accurate Big 4 test - I can't wait to see the results on that one! My 4th block certainly has a mixture of very distinct personalities and I know they'll enjoy it.

My field trip for Friday is coming along! I talked to Clint this afternoon and although he won't be able to make it, he gave me some great tips for the fishing tournament. The student's I've talked to that are coming seem to be very excited - some students are even bringing boats! I hope I have a large attendance, not only because it'll be an educational experience, but also because it will be a fun send-off for me. Next Wednesday is my last day at Portland ... I can't even imagine leaving my awesome students, but I'll have to. Bummer...

Student Teaching - Day 21 and 22

I haven't posted since Tuesday because my week was so busy!

On Wednesday in Wildlife, I had them do a Hunting vs. Anti-Hunting debate. Instead of choosing sides, however, I split them up evenly and had some defend the Anti-Hunting side, even though I know they all are hunters. They were upset at first, but having them defend a side they don't agree with makes them focus on what makes a good or bad debate. I had a student "jury" that judged the sides based on their ability to perform, and not their stance on the issue. Although they were a little rowdy, for the most part they did well and I was pleased with their ability to debate!

That night I had to drive all the way to Murfreesboro to take a major field test - it was information I had barely studied or never even seen! Good thing it wasn't graded.

On Thursday, we had an early morning officer meeting. Mr. Shartzer wasn't there that day, so there was a sub and I didn't go over to Amy's room. In 2nd and 4th block, I decided we'd play riddle and leadership games because I simply did not feel like teaching wildlife or sales that day. I know it sounds horrible, but sometimes you just need to have a little fun!

In the afternoon, I went to talk to the forester at Bledsoe Creek State Park about my students coming next Friday to listen to him speak, fish and eat some BBQ. We planned the entire night out and I'm very excited about it! After speaking to him, I drove down to see the place we we're going to eat, and tons of deer were grazing around the road.

I went back to the high school afterwards for our chapter meeting. We gave out state degrees and talked about upcoming events. I got to say the advisor's part during Opening Ceremonies!

Yesterday I didn't go to school because I was on my way to Alumni Convention! I didn't win my contest but it was a fun experience anyway. I had a lot of fun shopping with Ashley and Kinsey in Dickson - I got some awesome owl bookends at an antique store! I also love the banquet at Alumni Convention - it's like a family reunion.

This weekend I'm going to plan for the rest of my lessons at Portland - only 8 more days :(. I'll miss my students, but at least I get to be with them at state convention!

Student Teaching - Day 20

Today was a hard day. In second block, many students still did not have their projects. Not only was it upsetting, but it disrupted my lesson plans, as well. I anticipated the projects taking up most of the classtime, but considering only a few people brought theirs, I didn't have anything for them to do. I refused (internally) to give them any of the fun things I've planned because they all hadn't taken the previous assignment seriously. But having them sit there in silence, especially for the ones who had already finished, made me feel terrible. I was going to go to a concert tonight, but it was during that block that I decided I should stay home and work more on my lesson plans. I also just felt like I wouldn't have enough sleep and I'd be worthless tomorrow. Any other version of me would have gone tonight and been out until 2am, but I must be getting older and more mature because I just couldn't bring myself to do that tonight.
4th block was a joy, as always. We played some awesome indoor games today after working in committees. Thank God for that class, they make my day better!
I'm continuing to work with the Egg Cooperative group, although we're still slow-going. I also want to start finalizing prep for Michelle for state convention. It won't be long now!
I'm off to finsh some lesson plan materials and watch a little TV before bed.

Student Teaching - Day 19

Friday was a fast, easy day.

Doc came by to see me, but didn't really stay to see me teach. He was on his way to see his son's new baby, so he just stopped by to see if I had any questions or anything. He also told me about a supposed job opening in Montgomery County, but I think someone who thought it was an open job just forwarded a job description instead of an actual open job. Oh well!

I was upset with 2nd block - only a fraction of the class had their projects done. I gave them a week and a day to do these projects, and even though I know they got in trouble and had to do bookwork, it was evident that only some of them took it seriously. I gave the students who did have it extra credit. :)

In 4th block, since it was so nice out, we played outside games! I love love love that class, and it's fun to goof around with them. Like last time, the shop class beside us joined in!

No class on Monday, so I plan to spend that day working on reworking my lesson plan schedule for the rest of this placement, because it seems that everything has gotten so backwards. Not only that, now that I don't have Discussion Meet to study, I can start teaching Floriculture!

Student Teaching - Day 18

After 5 days in California, I finally got back to teaching on Wednesday. Not much happened because the 2nd block got in trouble while I was gone, and the assignment I gave them was replaced by book work. That means I worked on Michelle's state officer application while they worked.
But 4th block was memorable - we learned the importance of business phone calls. I had each of them make a phone call to a local business asking them if they can advertise our greenhouse in the form of a poster, or painting their windows, etc. Some of them were very excited, but others were very nervous (understandably). But the awesome part of this was that I knew this skill would be something they would need in the future, regardless of their professions. They all did me proud!

Today the chapter went to Louisville for the Farm Machinery Show ... but I stayed home sick. I feel achey and sore, almost like I got beaten up.

Tomorrow I get to see the 2nd block's wildlife projects - I'm excited!

Student Teaching - Day 17

It is SO COLD!

And yet today is a day I planned one of the outdoor activities in Wildlife class. It's amazing how much I'm enjoying teaching that class! I asked them to, if they had some and wanted to, wear camo today. I wanted to teach them about predator-prey relationships, and adaptation. The students that wore camo were adapting to their environment while they were "predators" in the Thicket Game.

It's a different kind of hide and seek. The "prey" would be at a spot in the front of the woods. They would have their eyes closed while the "predators" hid out. The prey would then count to 20, and turn around once they were done. To simulate the vulnerable nature of prey, they weren't allowed to move from the spot in which they stood, but were only allowed to point out anyone they spotted. Anyone spotted was to come up to the clearing in the front and become prey as well. Then they would all turn and close their eyes, and again count to 20. The predators who hadn't been spotted then had to move 5 feet closer. Each time, if they weren't found, they would move closer and closer. Finally, if they could cross the line where the prey were all standing, they would win!

Even though this was fun, it was also educational. They learned that camo was the biggest help in not getting spotted. Some who were not in camo learned that being quiet was also very helpful - they could get very close even though they didn't blend in well if they didn't make noise. The prey learned that the people who often crossed the lines to win were very close and in their line of sight, but they weren't looking for the right thing, or they were looking too far away.

Here are some of my students in their camo! Many of the students I didn't get a picture of wore camo jackets, but these are the students went all out. When I showed this picture to my mom, she didn't notice the student in the tree! I want to submit this photo to the Portland newspaper when I get back from California, maybe parents of some 8th graders will see it and want to enroll their children in ag classes when they get to the high school, so they can play the Thicket Game, too!

Student Teaching - Day 16

Note to self: Don't let kids play dodgeball in 20 degree weather by a pond!

Someone mentioned dodgeball in first block and I told 4th block we could play ... before I realized it was too cold to be outside but the gym was taken. We learned a lesson in problem-solving skills.

Problem: Students want to play dodgeball but the gym is full and it's freezing outside.

Solution: There isn't one! At least not today!

Something new happened today, also. In second block, I had a group jigsaw where everyone had to participate to get a daily grade. I had a student admit to not doing his part. I asked him to stay after to tell me what he has done, so that I can give him a grade. He said he didn't want to stay and he would just take a "0". I told him I wasn't accepting anyone failing so he would need to stay.

After class, I asked him what had happened. He explained that he originally took on one role, but then another teammate of his took on two roles right before they presented. Therefore it appeared that he hasn't done any work. I told him that next time he should make it more clear his role to a group, and next time I can do a better job of making sure everyone who has a role keeps it. I thought we had a good discussion. :)

Student Teaching - Day 15

So ... tired.

Preparing for California has drained me. I can't wait to go because of the great opportunity it presents, but also because I can focus more on my instruction afterwards.

Today's big news was the visitor in 2nd block. I asked Clint to come and speak about the history of guns and bring some examples for my Wildlife class. The SRO officer has to be in the room when he brought the unloaded guns in. We watched clips of a movie detailing the history of guns, then Clint would relate each new progression made to what we know now, and also demonstrated with the guns he had. I could spend an hour just describing why I think this was a great lesson. One of the best things about bringing Clint in was that he was a very knowledgable about his topic, and bringing someone new in is also a treat for the students. I think they also knew the importance of good behavior, considering the SRO officer was standing, arms crossed and slightly intimidating, on the side of the room. I'm glad that Clint could do this for me. I was thinking today, who would have known that my 4th grade 4-H agent would be helping me when I was 22 during my student teaching semester? I'm glad that we've been friends for so long and we can help each other out. It doesn't matter that I don't have a large family, I get to adopt people like Clint!