snow Snow SNOW

Hi all! Here is my review of week one, it is coming a little early as this week I wrap up a little early do to the infamies Praxis testing. 

The week started out with an in service day on Monday. I got here at the regular start time, but as I found out in service days run like two hour delays, except the additional time is tacked on at the end of the day not the year, ops. Good thing is I now have met the high school office secretarial staff and got my ID and parking pass. So, it actually turned into a positive.  The rest of the day I assisted with looking at ATE recorded books that where being finished grading, some were really great and others well were far from it to say the least, which was truly disappointing because a few of the students really have the ability but lack the gumption to have a great recorded book (I hope to change that for some of them). I went to a school district wide meeting with Mr.Campbell on Professionalism and I have to say after two semesters, one full week, and this meeting I believe I have grasped the concept and made the appropriate changes. After this we headed back to the Ag/Hort complexes whit the majority of the high school instructors to take part in the Ag open house. 

The FFA officers had decided to host this event to let the other teachers many of which had never been to the building see the STEAM is incorporated in their curriculum. I went into the different rooms to listen and see what the students where presenting to the teachers, they did a great job of showing the workings of the three circle model. One example they g lave the teachers was in the large animal science they received instruction on the workings of the digestive system and how to meet its nutritional needs, then dissected a pigs digestive system (showing some of the preserved parts in jars), explaining how they related it to their market or breeding production SAE s nutrition and were inspired for the topic of their CDE prepared speech.   The reaction of some of the teachers to the lambs and guineas was priceless.  At the end of the tour they introduced all the teachers to their new breed gilt and had a door prize raffle :1 dozen eggs,  hydroponics lettuce, and liquorish plants but to this disappointment of one teacher no lambs were given as prizes. The next day was to be an introduction day for me of my expectations, procedures, and consequences; along with being the regional PAAE meeting in the evening (rescheduled for Tuesday the 28th). But the storm of the century hit again.

My first snow day experience in my new role was boooorrrriiiinnnngggg. I did, however, accomplish getting my 4-H leaders Safe Penn State Test completed and my ANSC 100 homework for the week. The next day was a two hour delay, skipping first and second periods and starting with third and fourth. 

Wednesday of the week turned into my introductory and a little bit of a debriefing day as well as being the last day of the semester trying to finish putting grades in. In the food science course books were being collected and most students did everything they could to find a book to try and turn in so they wouldn’t have to pay for their lost book, one student even tried to pass off an old old old edition but it didn’t play out for him. This week has been the start of 2014-15 student courses scheduling so we have been preparing for 8^th grade recruitment day on Thursday. 

 Today has been filled with excitement the FFA officers and a handful of students have all been excused from their classes today to give tours and run short labs for the 8^th grade science classes that are coming up today to see what the Ag program has to offer. Labs consist of: cuttings (greenhouse), fruit rollups (food science), measurements ( Ag mechanics), and animals ( large/small ANSC).  I spent the day supervising the classes not helping with the 8^th graders and keeping them on task while Mr. Campbell helped with the recruitment.  During lunch we went over what would be my first lessons and what classes I would start teaching the upcoming week. I’m glade to announce I will be starting with Large Animal Science –Sheep & Goats starting Monday! The rest of the day went for the most part the same as the morning. This evening I was introduced to the rest of the high school teachers and administrators at this evenings Faculty meeting, followed by a tour of the high school and setting up a meeting on Monday morning with the IEP department. 

Over all if I had to do this week over I would have liked to have been more involved in the open house and recruitment but know that I will soon be submerged in FFA week preparation.  This week went pretty slow as it was just observation but I did give me insight into the students’ behavior and classroom management.

On to the next week and another adventure!!

Farm Show Adventure

Over the years I have worn many different hats well attending the PA Farm Show; visitor, exhibitor, master showman, babysitter, jockey, and new to this list student teacher/adviser. This new role was quite an experience! Starting with  below zero weather and a bit of  anxiety, our 4 hour bus ride went fairly fast ( of course I may have slept a bit). We passed out maps and itineraries letting the students know they could explore the exhibitors and vendors on their own ( use the buddy system) till 1:15pm. then we would meet up and go into the large arena for midwinter convention. It was made clear that this was in No Way Optional.

At first I wasn't sure if the on  your own time included  me or not so I went with Mr.Campbell and our two other chaperons  to see the butter sculpture and FFA exhibits to get ideas for next years agriscience fair and landscape displeases. We finally all split up to go see our  different areas of  intrastate. And I have to say I was looking forward to seeing the pig show, some of the wool vendors and wool art entries. However, I have Never had me time at the farm show and I soon found myself not knowing what to do without my brothers, sisters, or younger 4-H members tagging along. so I watched the pig show till it was time to meet the group for my first midwinter conversion.

I was the first chaperons to meet up with the students who surprisingly there early to meet up. Mrs.Reed and I took the majority of the group to find setts well Mr.Campbell took our Keystone Degree recipients down to the arena floor and picked up two  jackets for students that could not make it. Watching from above I have to say it was quite over whelming to see that much Blue and Gold in on area and also to see how many times some students could ask to go to the restroom (like you don't know they just want to walk around). Hearing from Governor Corbet , Secretary Greig, and Secretary Dumaresq showed that what we do as instructors and more importantly what the students are doing is truly seen and appropriated. After convention the students where released for a little more exploration and pitchers were taken of the Keystone Degrees. I went to go catch the champion drive, after witch I found myself watching the oxen demonstration till it was time to meet up again to head for the bus. 

Two students had to be called for over the speakers and well Mr. Campbell and Mrs.Reed waited and looked for them I herded the rest to the bus. Once the students were accounted for we headed for Hershey for dinner. Which was all so event full. I was getting to know some of the students and then I embarrassingly shared with them (not meaning to) that I am the worlds biggest cults when I sent two chicken tenders flying down the table.  I wanted to crawl under the table but laughed it off as the students asked/requested Mr.Campbell if I was being supervised in the shop. Which I am glad to say Yes I am Being Supervised. After dinner we got to the hotel and the students took off for the pool, I was nominated to be the supervision. We had the students meet at 10:45 in the lobby to go over breakfast and checking out for in the morning.  Also emphasizing  that 11:00 was room checks and then No one was to leave their rooms. The two other chaperons conducted the room checks for the second floor while Mr. Campbell and I checked the rooms on the forth floor. One phone call "No this isn't *****'s room and It doesn't matter what room she's in you aren't  leaving yours." and a "That is an joining room door and you do not knock on them, especial when you don't know who in the other room." it was time to pack up and head to the lobby. We ate breakfast, had to find four students and then head to Harley Davidson in York.

At the Harley plant we were split up into to groups for our factory tour myself and one chaperon(so their was an adult and not just a funny senior student with the group on their tour)  took the first group and Mr.Campbell and Mrs. Reed took the second group. One of the students from the second group didn't quite make it through the tour before finding a garbage can and being taken with Mr.Campbell to the lobby and restrooms. Thankfully the only problem in my group was getting them to pick up their feet and Move Faster. The Ag Construction and Power Systems students were a little disappointed that some of the work was done by robots but no the less a few of the students asked about internships and employment after high school ( sound like Success!!) . We loaded up the bus and head for Long Wood Gardens for our horticulture students, stooping along the way for lunch at McDonald. I had No idea that 31 high school students could be so fascinated and entertained  by play in the habit-trail in the children's' play area.

At long wood gardens we were shuttled up to the green house and then the we all went and explored on our own, somehow Mrs.Reed  and I ended up kidnapped by the  seniors . at 2:30 we meet back up and were split into three groups to go a behind the sens tour of their production greenhouses. I got the bad group! They won't stop talking or listen to the tour guide I yelled at them she yelled at them. Finally I had had it and split the three of them up but then I had another problem of one girl (that had been sick at Harley) was feeling much better but couldn't walk apparently needing on of the trouble makers to piggy back her, so I had to tell the whole group to walk on their own two legs. By the end of the tour we finally had an understanding. One student in the group asked about a possible internship or employment opportunity ( which he is applying for, Student Success !!!) Once we were all shuttled back we started on our 6 hour drive back to Derry. The bus ride was far from quiet we had to split two students , Mr. Campbell moved to the back, I yelled at a window artist, finally we got back, and  before leaving we had to jump start a students care.

Like I said in the beginning it was quite the adventure and I may be crazy but I can't wait for the next one to start!!