Almost Ohio

Hi All,

Monday, I visited the Mohawk FFA to see how their two teacher program differed from a single teacher program. As well as see how Mindy's student teaching experience was going during the final stretch.

At first I wasn't very sure why they are a two teacher program and still am a little unsure as to why.  I was definitely surprised by the set up of their facilities, having one moderately sized mechanics shop that is all theirs,sharing a computer lab (with a very tiny tinny monitor for projections)and carpentry shop with several other classes. Switch rooms for just about every class. However, what they lacked in space they made up with equipment, at least in terms of machines. So, many welders.

The first class I was able to see was the first section of her Animal Science class which was nice because their were presenting their Final Farm Plan projects like my own classes were. The size of the monitor, allowing other students to have computers up to work on while others presented, and the rush to get them  "just over with" in two days seemed to take away from the students presentations and the effectiveness of the project. I did like that some of the students branched out from their home farms/ area and located their operations in other areas nation wide. Over all the class ran very smoothly. The second section came in directly after the first and ran very similar to the first except that the internet did not want to cooperate, there was no back up plan, and with the all ready small monitor showing the presentations in the edit format mad it even harder to  see.    

Next, was the the first section of two Agriculture Construction class. These classes were working in the shared carpentry class hanging drywall, in a already framed and wired buildings. I have know idea how they get much down as they  have to travail between the two rooms to measure, cut, etc. Additionally, half way through the class a home owner/consumer classes' students start to come into the shared class for their own class to start. The second section of the construction class came in right after the other and ran very similar, having one homeowner class leave and another come in during this time causing some distraction.

After lunch the third section of animal science took place following the same format as the previous two. It is during this section that I noticed the smart board in the computer lab and asked why the were not using it to present, it was because of not asking how to work it. The final class for the day was a machines class half of the class were working on lawnmowers while three students worked on a welding test plat they had been working on for 15 weeks, which was surprising. Their was only one student in attendance so I thanked Mindy and her Cop teacher and headed back to Derry.

It was very eye opening to see how different all agriculture programs are set up and work but yet deliver the same materials/content to their students. I did take way a great idea for the next time I have to teach Ag Construction, mark a section of your shop out (if you have the space) and have the students frame out one side of a building,using a wall for the other side. Split it into three or more rooms, then have them wire and dry wall their assigned rooms.              

The Path to the Future.... were are you going?

Hi all,

Alright so after last week's basket drop, I have picked it back up, this week was going to be different ! It was Monday, my first period and fourth period Introduction classes took the same test on general livestock breeding systems, which we had gone over the  week before and reinforced with an visual gummy bear activity. Well, I should clarify that only first period got to do the activity. Because, fourth is incapable of getting through anything without drama or "I Don't Need to Know This". Any ways first period preformed 30%better on the quiz, therefore, I decided that first period would be taught the basic terms and anatomy of livestock in a place based setting using the animals at the barn for a hands on component. Forth would get all the same information via power point and notes. Earlier in my experience I had started collecting data for my action research based on the theory "how student attitudes and performance are effected by the method in which the lesson is presented: lecturer vs.hands on & place based. With the data I had collected earlier and my newer collection it is still in favor of place based for performance, however, it also shows that students' attitudes play a significant factor on the results as well.

          
On another note the rest of my classes are working on warping up all of our projects, so they can be displayed during the schools future fair this coming Wednesday. The Future Fair is a new event that the principle Dr.Perry developed for this year, each department will be showcasing what curriculum and career opportunists they offer their students, recruiting students in lower grades and their parents. Additionally, for the upper class men colleges,universities, employers will be in the gym to showcase the opportunists they offer graduates. An up date will come next week on how this event goes, so far it is coming together great. During the Future Fair I will be filming the rest of  Ag department's new recruitment video, having the students talking to others in a real setting about their program and were a Future in Ag can take you.


As it all starts to wind down here at Derry it is hard to say good by and the majority of students don't make it any easier to do.

Till next time!        

To MUCH or To LITTLE?

Hi all,

Well this week was interesting! The topic was defiantly classroom management, however, the question still remains what I'm I to be doing?  Because, one time it's to little and another it is to much. WHAT!!

At the end of last week I thought this was all behind my and I had finally excelled  in this area. Apparently not,to start things off I was asked to remove a well earned detention  so a "Good" student wouldn't have it on their record. Easy answer, NO. I was then approached by two other students that wanted theirs retracted as well so they wouldn't miss prom or be removed from the school district.They all revised the same answer NO and I asked them if they wanted the short list or the long list as to why they got detention and why it was not going away. I thought that would be the end of the headache for the week, no such luck.

The following day a student informed me they wanted to punch me in the face and were counting down the days till I left so they could. This was brought on by a group project, they didn't like their group, and then they didn't like the other group they were moved to. Luckily, three other students witnessed this to back up my  referential that the office said was to much and my COP said was just enough. But any ways the week went on to Friday and my last review of course this week of  the period acted like the kindergartners they always are and the than the one project I was looking forward to and the majority of my students had been looking forward to was crushed by a handful of student, who I was advised to ignore "they just have an attitude sometimes".

Out of all my weeks this is the one that has gone the worst by far and relay has my questioning why I want to teach because of the question what is to MUCH and what is to LITTLE? Hopefully this week goes a lot better as I take it upon myself to have a review of the expectations and consequences with all of my classes and the one heads back to kindergarten with there classroom management.

till next  time!  

Spring is Here!!

Hi All,

While this week was full of events, including our area "Leadership" CDE event. I am very excited to reported that Derry had the most participants (26 freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors), taking home the most First (Small Gas Engine, Prepared, Jr., Conservation, and extemporaneous speaking, along with creed), Seconds (Jr. and Prepared public speaking, and Job Interview), & Thirds (Prepared Public speaking and Small Gas Engine). However, the proudest moment for me was waiting for the Job Interview result and one of my Freshmen said " I don't care where I place , I'm just happy I work hard on my resume and cover letter and you talked me into coming." Oh, the things that students say that make you Happy to be an Ag Teacher!

Additionally, this week the weather finally broke for a three day period, allowing my to try out some placed based education with my PA Environmental and Ecology class. a wise man once told me " the best way to get students to learn is to take them 'outside' where its happening", Thank You George. Armed with our bird call boxes and silhouette cards the two groups (27 students) of students successfully identified over 20 different PA birds. Having the two groups allowed my to try out a co-teaching approach, and than came the rain so, we started constructing our community based project "Bring on the Bat Boxes".

This week I also started into the one class I had dreaded the most, Ag Construction. To my surprise (knock on wood, fingers crossed, and through spieled salt) they have been fairly well behaved and engaged. Each group of three is framing out  an 1":16" scale building. Currently we are working on laying our  sub flooring. The humor of me in the shop and allowing the students to double check and correct my work seems to be a great insensitive for the class.

In Animal Science the nice weather brought more discipline problem than I thought possible. All the students quickly figured out that the more they pushed the more numbers that dispersed on the consequences list between them and detention.Some students so much that according to my Cop teacher I earned my A, as I finally had a student call me .......... while it wasn't very nice or appropriate and we'll  just leave it at that.

Out of all my weeks these was by far the best. I still have a lot to learn but what tool I do have are  starting to come together. Looking forward to the upcoming week , AIing our play dough heifers with pixie stick seaman.

Till next time!                        

Pass It on Down

Hi All,

Career Development Events, but who is the development for? the students or the teacher? The answer both! Over the past three weeks both of my  introduction to Ag classes have been working of their class Job Interview, Creed Speaking, and Jr. Prepared Public Speaking CDE project/event (equivalent to the local contest as Derry is the only program in the County). During this time I spent a lot of time with my freshmen, having them come up during their study halls, homeroom, and staying after school working to make sure that they understood the rules and components of their CDE. Like any think some got it and other didn't but pretended they did. However, the main reason I have come to the "both" conclusion of who the D in CDE is because the students and I put all the work into prepping for the Event, but after the first couple of speeches and interviews it was every obvious I forgot a component.  I had forgotten to demonstrating the expectation, the difference between a speech and a report, as well as how a job interview works. Perfect example of I know so I assume the students know. Wrong!

Additionally, to the CDE preparations I have been working with six of my seniors on their Teach Ag Essays and Lesson plans. After my  not so successful go at the CDE preparation it was nice to see a place that I had put all the pieces together resulting in student success ( in my opinion). All the students understood an
d developed complete and comprehensive lesson plans. As well as each took a way their very own lesson as teacher for a day.

This week has been quite interesting in terms of lessons for myself, in making sure the pieces are all their in order for success to be reached and sometimes the lessons you think went the best are missing a piece and the ones you question may have been the one that pulled it all together. You can't second guess your self or the students, only time will tell.            

        Till next time!

The Complete Ag Ed Experience at Derry

Hi all,

As I looked at the calendar today, checking due dates for class projects. I realized their is only 28 days left to my time here at Derry. Looking back it has been quite the experience, the "Complete" Ag Ed experience (instruction, SAE, and FFA). Never being in an Ag program and getting what experience I do have from 4-H and College , not even close.

Observing my cooperating teacher for the first week and then transitioning my self into the role of instructor allowed me to see  first hand a variety of  teaching methods and strategies. The availability of different lab areas (food science, animal science, mechanics, floral, and greenhouse) aided in the way the content was presented to the students. The routine at Derry is consistent by having the in class content (lecture) along with the hands on component (labs). Presenting the lessons  in two different ways,insures that all students (8 multiple intelligences ) receive the content in an applicable form for their thought process.

In addition to the instruction received all the students take part in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), offered as a credited course for Senior and Junior that have schedule conflicts ( help students reach becoming a completer). With 95% of  students participating in an SAE their is quite the variety. Derry SAEs range from the traditional production Ag enterprise and placement experiences to more innovative experiences , such as Food Science Research, Volunteer Fireman Experiential, and many more. Each student has two scheduled visits to the site of their SAE with their Ag instructor. Additional visits are scheduled on an as needed bases. This summer I had the opportunity to go along on some of these visits. The SAEs I visited were all traditional enterprise( market animals, gardens, laying hens, and horses). During my internship I have had several opportunities to talk to all the students about their SAEs and conduct a few visits with some nontraditional programs (Fireman , Hydroponics, Demolition tractors, Feedlot employment). Along with the SAEs participation all of the students were encouraged and coached one on one to prepare and send their record books to the state contest ( AET up date day is every Friday) as well as all the upperclassman were encouraged and coached one on one for their Proficiency awards.   

Before the State went to affiliate membership, all the students at Derry were members of the FFA. The chapter has officer meetings every other Tuesday, to review their POA and discuss any other information that needs to be discussed. On the alternating Tuesdays there is an all members meeting to keep all members informed. Derry's FFA year kicks off with the chapter officers developing an extensive POA from there its  presented  to the instructor and then put in to action , after their summer retreat/debriefing . FLC is one of the big events for the freshmen members, all the freshman( first year members) that they can take go to be introduced to the extensiveness of the FFA organization in PA. I have had the opportunity to go with 14 students to the ACES conference, and more recently with 6 students to SLLC. All these experiences have shown me how the organization helps to develop the students' leadership and career skills as well as how it works to supplement the curriculum at the same time.

In my opinion I still have allot to learn but the learning is much more effective through student teaching verses setting in a classroom even with guest speakers. It really puts it all into perfect perspective.             

Piglets Are Here !!!!

Hi all,

This week was the farthest thing from normal. Three days in Harrisburg for SLLC, first interview for a "Big Kid Job", Piglets arrived, and CDE practices kicked off. Oh the life of an Ag Teacher!

With all the goings on this week  the lesson that shown through the most was the importance of student success. Seeing the reaction of my students as they received their certificate for best homemade shirts at SLLC on Sunday night was just the start. On Tuesday the students were recognized by the Senate for their participation in SLLC , as well as their work with local Agriculture in their local community.

A pone returning to school on Thursday the importance of student success continued to echo. I figured that when I saw the two students who had tried for Proficiency awards (Small Animal Care) they would be a little disappointed. But to my surprise their only concerned that I was disappointed in them. Once I explained that was in no way the case, I was just proud of them for putting all the time and dedication into their SAE and their award applications. It was amazing to see how that reassurance and praise for their hard work completely changed the attitudes of these two students.

Continuing on this same train of thought, the students in my floral design class had work extremely hard on their contemporary arrangements ( Fresh- landscape & Silk - student's choice). I had been trying to work with the principal to have the arrangements displayed in the school lobby, however, do to the fear of the arrangements being destroyed by the vocational students and the fact that the Ag department had just had the display cases for FFA week my request we denied. The students and I were relay disappointed. With a little help from Mrs.Reed ( the department Secretary) I was able to pressured the school librarian into letting the floral class display their arrangements in the library.

When I returned on Thursday the students had no idea what was going on when they looked at their objectives, 1) Filed Trip.  I gave them instructions to go to the lab and load all the fresh arrangements out of the cooler and on to a cart, as well as to get their silk arrangements to carry down to the high school library. They light up and could get over how I did it. The librarian greeted us at the door and told the student they could put their arrangements any where they would like and they would be high lighted during the library's open house, coming up this week. Teachers that had their classes in the library were stunned by the classes work and kept complementing all of them. Seeing the students' smiles grow as they placed their arrangements and talked to the teachers about their arrangements was one of the best moments I have had during student teaching.

Additionally, this week The freshmen had the opportunity for hands on lamb/sheep fitting in the greenhouse. On Wednesday  large animal science class got to deliver ten of the twelve piglets,getting to assist with two breached piglets. Friday we had a USDA community recourse person come to demonstrate how to process the piglets. Removing needle teeth, ear knock, and give shoots (Iron).

Till next time!