Banquet Week- A Busy One!

With a 220 person FFA Banquet to plan for, the Officer Team, Chapter Members, and us as Advisors have been hard at work for over three weeks. With the banquet last Thursday, it really was a full week...affirming my belief that Ag Teachers ARE super heros! It turned out beautifully, and I was so proud of the hard work everyone put in to prepare for this banquet, especially the officer team! They did fantastic and the opportunity to meet everyone's parents and other community members was wonderful.

We also finalized manuscripts for the Area Speaking CDE coming up this Thursday, and this week will be filled with after-school practices.

Classes went very well this week, and although we didn't have very many large labs, three of the classes had their unit tests. Over the past weeks, I have been able to improve my test making skills and also trying different methods of unit reviews for the students. This past week, I've made different worksheets with review questions and for other classes I had unit outlines. I also tried different review techniques the previous day. I do not particularly like testing the students, as some of them still show their nerves, no matter how well I try to prepare them all! We strive to keep high academic credibility within the Ag Department, so the tests are not always "easy" but we do do our best to make sure the students are fully prepared and that the test is fair.

One activity that I particularly enjoyed doing with my students is using the idea of traits, punnet square, and heritability to build a marshmallow creature in my Ag Biology class (thanks Communities of Practice!). Most really enjoyed this activity. Also, my students have been incredibly fun in this class, as they go along with a lot of my 'creative' ideas and still stay very focused on their tasks. For example, one day we pretended the middle aisle between the desks was a 'run way' and students eagerly did some joking dance or trick as they walked to and from the board to show an example problem. I think I laughed just as much as they did! It was great! Plus they still were able to focus in between when we talked about the examples on the board. :)

Soil Ribbons to Tofu!

With only Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at Oley Valley, the week really seemed to fly by (as it always does!). Unfortunately, while I was able to do some really need things in the classroom (pig ovaries, tofu... you know, the normal ag classroom stuff!), it was frustrating at times. The rest of the week was in State College for the Gamma Sigma Delta Research Expo and our cohort student teacher meeting.

Successes in the classroom this week- 

Ag Environmental: We are spending 4 days learning soil basics, and they were a lot of fun for all the activities! With some of them having a good background in soils from the Middle School Envirothon, they were super engaged in the topic and loved all the visuals.

Animal Science: This week kicked off the start to the female reproduction system, and they are finally loosening up to all the "terminology." It helped adding some non-relevant side conversations to get them to loosen up!

Ag Biology: I finally got to begin teaching this great group of 10th graders. I really enjoy the class dynamic of this class. Since they all know each other fairly well, the classroom environment is control but comfortable--> important to the quality of learning! (I need to start thinking of ways to connect my Food Science class, but I'll talk about that next.)

SAE Visit- Dairy Production!
This trip included a visit to the largest dairy farm in the area! I love meeting the student in his home setting and meeting his family as well. Plus, I loved learning about the set-up of the farm, the various equipment, and new technology...COOL!!

Exciting Moment! 90 ft. span sprayer!

Frustrations in the classroom this week- 

Food Science: In connection to our  Protein Unit, we spent two days making tofu: soymilk, then tofu. Unfortunately, they were so unappreciative. So much complaining, many students refusing to touch anything because they didn't like the smell, many students leaving their groups to do other things. The disconnect between students in this class amazes me in this 13 student group. Sometimes I wonder, isn't this better than taking notes?! Just strain the tofu!!

Food Bank to Hummus to Maple Syrup

 

This week started off with me away from Oley and attending SLLC. Unfortunately, Oley Valley does not attend SLLC or ACES, but I got the opportunity to attend SLLC independently. While it would have been wonderful to have students with me, the experience was eye-opening in it's own way. Plus, I got to enjoy the time with other students and teachers across the state. I really enjoyed volunteering at the Central PA Food Bank with all the great students as well!

I came back to Oley Valley Wednesday feeling like I was so out of the loop! It took me the whole day to get back into the groove and get all the students on the same page. As I worked hard to get back into it this week, it truly flew by!

Favorite part of this week?! The Hummus Lab in Food Science! Ok, so why were we making hummus in class?! And why did I spend the better part of my Wednesday evening traveling practically around the county to get supplies?! Because hummus is a perfect example of protein complimentation, as it combines two incomplete plant proteins (chickpeas and tahini paste) to provide all the essential amino acids! Four groups of students each chose a slightly different variation, and then we completed a sensory evaluation for each of them. While some students were not won over by hummus [yet ;)], most really enjoyed this lab.

What "cool" activity ended up not being so "cool"? The Plant Science class just tapped a sugar maple tree, so I took my 9th grade Ag Environmental class on a mini field trip outside to see it and talk about maple syrup production. While I was super excited to get them out of the classroom, most were not too thrilled (unfortunately). Yes, it was a little chilly, but still.

What technique did I try that I still don't truly know if it was successful or not? Later in the week, I was showing my Ag Environmental class a movie (they also had a movie worksheet), but despite my warnings, there was a lot of side conversations during the movie. I ended the movie early and told everyone to get out a piece of paper for a "quiz" and if anyone talked, they would receive a zero. I really did not want to do this, but I wanted to make a point. Unfortunately, two students did talk and I gave them both zeros and they were very upset with me (although I told them the next day it was worth 4 participation points, but expect better of them). I'm hoping this will stop side conversations.

Until next time! Enjoy the first real signs of spring! 

March Rolls In

And March has rolled on in. This has been an interesting week, as it seemed to really have its ups and downs throughout the week. Banquet planning, greenhouse/weather challenges, and a field trip all led to a busy week! Plus, a visit from my university supervisor, Mr. Frederick, was great! I also tried some new teaching techniques and projects this week; some were awesome, some were a wreck!

What worked this week?

Wednesday and Thursday- Animal Science: I set up 4 equine stations to quiz students on feeds, grooming tools, saddle parts, and bridle parts. The first day, we had a practice lab practical. The second day was the real deal! Results? Confident and successful students (and let me tell you, it wasn't an easy lab practical).

Tuesday and Wednesday- Food Science: We were out in the lab! Two hands-on labs that if I hadn't prepared the equipment ahead of time, they wouldn't have had time to complete the labs. Results? Happy students with their creative juices flowing.

Friday- Ag Program Field Trip to Berks County's Career Fair: Student were on their best behavior and it was just a ton of fun to get to know some of them so much better.

Ok, so what failed? 

Monday- Food Science: I began the proteins unit and assigned students to prepare an informal presentation about their assigned mini topic related to the functions of proteins in foods. Results? Many confused students and one super confused student teacher. I spent a lot of time that evening re-ordering the unit a bit to make it more logical... it's working.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday- Ag Environmental: They worked on a three-day land use group project. Results? While some enjoyed it and it challenged their math skills, I had struggled keeping everyone focused. Three days is too long. I will reformat it for the future.

Professional Development Note: As the thoughts of Spring are rolling in, I am mentally preparing myself for a VERY packed summer as an equestrian clinician, instructor, coach, and rider. Wow, this student teaching experience is really beginning to develop my teaching abilities and general confidence that is transferable to almost any type of context. In the formal school setting, I am experiencing SO MANY different types of learners and personalities. While I am continually challenged by this (my favorite part of this experience), I am truly developing a better understanding of how different people need different teaching techniques to succeed. While I have an unlimited amount to learn in this area, I thrilled to offer my equestrian students this summer with instruction based not only on horse experience, but a better understanding of the needs of different learners in any type of context.

Weekly Overview and Speaking CDE

Well we finally got a full week of school in this time! I added the Food Science class midway through the week; however, the highlight of this week was taking the students to the first round of the Speaking CDE event. Now, I'm starting to get it...why their are so many passionate agriculture teachers, because this feeling is just awesome! It is so wonderful seeing your students succeed, plus it was just great hanging out with them and joking around outside of the school setting. This is exactly what I needed during this time of student teaching.


MONDAY

Ansci- Great lesson on horse tack. I began by giving students all different types of tack, grooming tools, and other equipment. They then had to figure out in what order they would use everything to tack up a horse. Plus we identified each piece. It was a lot of fun.

Ag Enviro- Mr. Deysher came in to talk about the upcoming ag courses being offered next year and then we headed out to the lab to work with our acid rain plants and test the water for the trout. We came back into the classroom with just enough time to review Friday's materials.

TUESDAY

Ansci- We began talking about equine facilities and had the students draw their own facility. This is so awesome to see them using their creativity and getting really into the activity. Only having the last 10 minutes of class to work on this, I've decided to give them more time tomorrow (despite having different original plans).

Ag Enviro- Today we summed up our unit in preparation for the test Thursday. Here too I also had to decide to make more time and move the test Friday. I guess I will see if this extra time to review will help them!

WEDNESDAY

Ansci- Students enjoyed finishing their facilities drawings and then we held a discussion about equine diet. I need to get more people to volunteer

Food Sci- Introduction and classroom procedures...here we go Food Science!

Ag Enviro- Today, we finished up loose ends from the unit. I also tried something new to engage more students...Popsicle sticks with their names on it. It works! 

Today something really powerful happened... I've been spending hours editing speeches and practicing with students after school for the Speaking CDE, and today was the day for the students to compete! I was like a proud parent siting there as time keeper seeing so many Oley students not only participating, but excelling! For the first time, I also felt like I could have a really good time with all the students...not just being 'mean-rule-enforcer-Ms. Urban' that sometimes I feel I am, despite really wanting to loosen up the reins. It was a really exciting evening for all of us. :)

THURSDAY
  
Ansci- Nutrition and body Scoring! We did a lot in class with passing around and identifying different feeds (and beddings too).

Food Science- Students were making up tests for reviewing for NOCTI

Ag Enviro- Review game! I made up a game that if a team member answered a questions correctly, they got to try my challange: They had to get a partner, each holding a cone, pass the ball and catch it! It really was great fun :)

FRIDAY

Ansci- Routine care: We talked about the farrier, vet, and equine dentist, and Mike Rowe covered the rest (Dirty Jobs). It was hilarious.

Food Science- I did too much powerpointing here and I'm going to change that.

Ag Enviro- Test and then they read an article. Overall, I was happy with how most of the students did on the test.