From Green to Growing (and from growing to green)

This week has had it's ups and downs, but in life we must learn to persevere. It all started at the beginning of this week.

As I began teaching my three different classes this week, I began to notice that my students were losing focus. I realized quickly that I needed to change my approach and change it fast. So, I took to the internet. Add a short video here, add in an article or two there, mixed well with smaller parts of discussion, and larger activities and experiments, and finally, my classroom has become vibrant again. One of the classes that has truly seen a transformation is my Horticulture class.

This week we have been discussing sexual and asexual propagation, after having a 50 minute period on Monday, that was shortened because of snow, I saw that my students were just uninterested in the subject. I began to not only get worried about my impact, but, frustrated that I wasn't getting through to these kids. Instead of just whining though, I changed. I became the pliable teacher I was supposed to be.

The next day, We had a seed germination lab, where the students each picked bean seeds from a mix of about 9 different beans, bagged them, and put them in the windowsill to germinate (next week we will find out what percentage actually germinated).

After one day, they are already starting to grow tiny roots.

Wednesday, we took to the greenhouse, to plant potato cuttings, and garlic cloves (both of these are forms of asexual propagation- cuttings of plants, and separation of bulbs).

Yesterday, after learning about flowers and pollination, we went to the greenhouse and moved geraniums from the garden bed, to individualized 4" pots. We also found some time too try germinating garlic cloves without soil or potting media (all you need is a pan with sides, and a damp towel, and the garlic will start germinating.)

And today, we learned how strawberries are asexually propagated through the use of specialized stolons called runners, that reach out, and will grow roots, and form a second plant. We learned about how right now, in Plant City, FL, farmers are harvesting strawberries and sending them to northern grocery stores.

The students working hard in the greenhouse.

While I understand that I'm still learning about teaching, I also want to make sure that I am giving my students the best education and best opportunities that they can have. Just like in my Ag Mechanics class, this week we have been learning about electricity, and while we had a slow start in the class, today, I got my students excited about the effects of static electricity. I realized that If I can make things exciting on a smaller topic like static electricity, I can definitely make things more interesting on bigger topics like wiring.

And even in my Ag Science class, I've learned that while discussion can help students understand a topic/problem, that it has to be balanced out. It's like a good Chili: sure you want some spice, but you don't want it to be an inferno and run everybody off. It has to be a balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy. You can't have too much of one thing and leave out the rest of the ingredients. It's got to be just the right amount.

I do look forward to next week, with a new view on things, I'm really excited to work on some grafting projects with the students, and we will be adding a new addition to our classroom... A kiwi plant!!!!!

Well that's it for this week. Now, where will I put this kiwi plant?

School is in session!!!!

Wow, it's hard to believe that the second week of student-teaching is almost over. This week in particular though has been an incredible experience. My first week of teaching. Now, ill be honest, there were some challenging parts this first week (Classroom Management and time mostly) but as someone once told me "If your completely comfortable with what your teaching, your doing something wrong", so using that advice, I tried to stretch myself.

Our "Carnation Coloration" Lab

For instance, this week I decided to try my first Inquiry Based Laboratory. In our lab, the students took different plants (celery and carnations), added food coloring and water, put the plants in the mixture and tracked changes in coloration. We let the plants sit overnight, and today, we looked at the coloration changes, as you can see from the picture, some of the celery has really taken up alot of the coloration.

Then as a class, we related this transport of nutrients, to not only the Xylem and Phloem present in plants, but also to Xylem and Phloem composition inside a stem. To make the lab more inquiry based, I had the students design their own charts, and decide together as a class, what outcome we wanted and what factors we should track. Overall the lab turned out pretty successful. While we are still waiting on a few pieces of celery and the carnations to change color (we're going to take a look at it again on Monday), much of the celery did change colors, as you can see below.

                                   

                                              Here are two pieces that changed color, one showing the red
                                           and the other showing the blue food coloring.

My Official Name Badge. I think that means I'm legit!!!

And today, while were not doing a lab in class, we had an impromptu session of root pictionary, where I drew different plants on the board, and they had to say what the plant was, and what kind of root system it had. While the potato was pretty easy to identify, the turnip on the other hand took them a little longer (or maybe it was my drawing skills). Either way, it made for a fun lesson on something that many might not consider a fun topic, roots.

I really am excited to be teaching now, and as I continue down this path, I am going to continue to try and make my classes as engaging and educating as possible. 

That reminds me, I gotta get back to class!!!!

My first In-service day

Well, after a week of observations, I have now officially become one of the teachers at Cowanesque Valley high school, and the first thing on my agenda is.......In-service training.

For those of you that might not be familiar with the In-service system, its a day where students have off school, and teachers report in. While a teacher is at school on one of these days, they can work on a variety of different subjects that need attention, and, usually a few meetings will be held, to help with certain content areas or to develop a skill. While I did not have the chance to go to the google doc workshop, I did go with the rest of the teachers to our training on collins writing, and the five types that fall under this category.

Our trainer Todd going over the types of
collin's writing.

A little background on collins writing. When using the collin's system, their are five levels of writing. With each level, there is more of a push for deeper levels of thinking. For example on level 1, students are not graded on their writing assignments, and the questions that are asked of them, are basic (For instance, what are two distinct characteristics of a cow). These questions are designed to get the student's thinking and encourage a growth mindset. Many of use would look at these Type 1 questions, and would use them as bell ringer questions. While this is a good way to start, its also important to utilize these through out a lesson, as too continually push students to connect prior knowledge with the information being presented to them.

In higher levels, like Type 3 and 4, students answers are graded and instead of just looking for content, students and teachers are also setting goals in different areas that they want improved (grammar skills, capitalization, spelling, etc.) these are to be included on all papers and questions, as to keep students on track, and to work almost like a smart goal.

Type 5 is the highest level. At this point students should be excelling in the areas that needed improved, and the papers that they are turning in should be of "publishable" caliber (they should be error free). Todd told us that while lower levels can be incorporated in almost any class, it takes a lot of devotion and time to get to a level 5, and only teachers planning on utilizing the entire process should use this method.

Honestly, this was a good in-service to start with, alot of the teachers I talked to said they enjoyed working with Todd (our presenter) and that he always tried to make the in-service training's more enjoyable and rewarding. I also got a lot out of this seminar, and if anyone who reads this has any questions or would like any of the paperwork I received, I'd be happy to send it to you. Feel free to email me at hcp5016@psu.edu for more information. Again, this was great information to get even if you're not planning on using the entire 5 level system. Even Types 1-3 have great information to bring better questioning skills to your classroom.

Now if you will excuse me, I have classes to teach!!!!!

Here's to New Beginnings......

Well the time has finally come.

Three and a half years of work leading up to this point. It's crazy to think that less than a year ago, I wasn't sure where I was student teaching, or what subjects I would cover. And now, here I am, all the way across Pennsylvania, and I could not be more excited.

Mr. Boyer, Myself, and Mr. Heyler 

I tell ya, this week I have felt like a racehorse in the chutes at the Kentucky derby. While I spent this week observing Mr. Boyer and Mr. Heyler (my cooperating teachers), I also began learning about my new school system, getting to know my students, and prepare for next week when I officially begin teaching.

While I am extremely excited to teach, I also know that it is important that I learn the in's and out's of the school system before I jump right in. That being said, I cannot wait for next week to start. Next week I will be teaching two Ag Science Classes, and an Introductory Horticulture Class. I'll also begin helping Mr. Heyler in the Ag Mechanics 2 class, which I will also be teaching the next week. In the meantime, I have been getting to know the administration and staff here, and have been memorizing students names (well, at least trying too). Now, of course along with this excitement, I also am feeling a little nervous. But, I know that Heyler and Boyer are here to help, and I know that while not every lesson plan will go as expected, I have been given the tools necessary to complete, conquer, and excel in this task.

One thing I love about being up here, is the community. Not only are the people up here fantastic to work with, but, this is a small rural community with many strong ties, and while it hurts to be so far from home on my own, this community is just like the one I came from, and it reminds me a lot of Fulton County. I think it will help me relate more to my students, us coming from similar backgrounds.

It's just hard to believe that one week is already done, and I still have so much to teach!!!! But no matter what I'm teaching, my job is to make it as educational and exciting as possible, and that's my goal looking to next week.                                        

FFA sign in Mr. Boyer's Classroom

The Full Farm Show experience

The first thing you see when pulling up in the bus, is a giant Holstein statue, right in front of the entrance. You walk in, and their is a beautiful mural of agriculture in Pennsylvania. And to both sides of you lay fun, adventure, and what else but.... Agriculture. This is the Pennsylvania Farm Show.   

The Famous Farm Show Butter Sculpture

I know.... For some folks, this might not be an especially exciting time of year, but, for those of us in agriculture, this is one time of year where we can come together and demonstrate to the public why were involved in agriculture, and how others can become more involved too (I'd be lying if I didn't say that we also came together for the food. One word. Milkshakes). This really is a great opportunity though for us to connect a non-agriculturally minded public, with the food and fiber that they consume everyday.

Now, I wish I could say that I was one of the devoted that came every year, all week long. But, alas, I actually haven't been to the farm show in three years. I know, I know, I preach of it's greatness and then I don't even bother to show up. 

But this year was different. 

Not only was it a reunion for me and the farm show, but, being the student teacher at Cowanesque Valley High School also gave me the opportunity to go down on Monday, January 12th to the Mid-Winter FFA Convention. Here, senior FFA members are awarded not only their State FFA Degrees (Keystone Degree), but freshman FFA members are awarded FFA Jackets. I was excited that I got to go with Cowanesque FFA as we had 3 FFA members receiving jackets, but we also had 2 members receiving their Keystone Degree.                         

One of the Cowanesque Members getting his Keystone Degree

It reminded me of when I got my Keystone Degree, and how honored I was to receive it. I can honestly say though, from experiencing it from a member standpoint, a State FFA Officer standpoint, and now from this angle, this was my favorite. I got to see my new students light up with pride as they heard the name of their chapter called as Ben walked across the stage. It reminded me of why I joined FFA, and decided to pursue agricultural education in the first place. And by the end of the day, it reminded me of why, as Ag teachers and FFA advisors, we encourage and push students the way we do. I hope that when I have my own classroom, I can inspire my students so that they too, can walk across the stage.

With all this excitement, it's hard to tell what next year's Farm Show might have in store.