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!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
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!
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!
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