This week marks 4 weeks into this great adventure we call student teaching, from Horticulture Crime Scene Safety Lab, to Exploring SAEs, and rounding our week out with an awesome heart dissection. This week was nothing but adventure! I started my week with horticulture as we worked to identify the safety hazards that played a role in Tom's unfortunate accident. We also had a greenhouse scavenger hunt and created our own pesticide in some pretty crazy snow. We also worked in identifying the pH of three mystery samples. I implemented lots of quick thinking on my feet as we overcame a little snow, moving from the greenhouse, to the shop, and then finally ending class back in the classroom. It was a big step for me but, I learned so much along the way.
As we moved through the week I had the opportunity to observe not 1 but 2 science classrooms, attend my first chapter meeting (an officer meeting), and help with processing strawberry orders. It was exciting to not only wear my teacher hat this week but also fulfil my advisor duties as well. Due to an Act 80 day, students were only in school until Thursday which left just enough time for students in Introduction to Agriculture class recite the 4th and 5th paragraph of the creed. This particular class period served as one of the reminders as to why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place, so that I could be the same person for my students as my teachers were always for me. It definitely was the highlight of my week!
One student was nervous about presenting their paragraph, and in the moment their nerves seem to have gotten the best of them. I stepped out with that student and together we took a breathe, I reminded them just how capable they were and we discussed what was going through their mind. They confessed they were more nervous for their peers to be looking at them than the were about remembering the correct words. After a pep talk and a couple more times reciting the creed, we returned the classroom. I couldn't have been more proud of this student overcoming their fear and reciting the creed with confidence. I am so proud to have watched my student overcome their fears and I hope I can help a couple more students do the same, just as my Ag teacher once did for me.
My goals for next week are to keep on track by using a timer, getting more comfortable with implementing the use of a timer as I still feel awkward with it. I also plan on trying to be more assertive with my students when I start class, talking loud enough and in a tone where they can hear me and understand that it is time to learn. I feel I have grown so much and am I am thankful for my flexible students and supportive CTs.
Megan!
ReplyDeleteThis is some exciting stuff!!! I am so amazed and proud of your progress and your ability to help push these students. Were the dissections a normal part of this unit or was that your idea??? Where did you get the parts from?? I think giving the students that real world hands on experience can really help to make the content interesting and meaningful. Looking forward to what you will come up with in the future.
Hi Megan! I am PUMPED you got to do your crime scene lab, how exciting?! It seems like you are really getting a good idea of all the roles an agriscience teacher must fulfill - FFA advisor, instructor, mentor, and coach. Will Athens be participating in any virtual CDEs? It seems like you are teaching a lot of content that would be represented in those CDE contests and your students may enjoy a competitive opportunity to showcase what they learned in class.
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