Banquet Time

When I was in high school, one of my favorite FFA events all year was our FFA Banquet. We would spend two weeks practicing our parts and getting them right. Between the delicious food, the gathering of familiar faces, and the excitement of awards, it's hard to not miss those exciting times.

Boys and their arrangements!!!

Well, this week I got to experience my first banquet as an Advisor. And OH MY, it was a busy week.

One of our arrangements

This week in class, Mr. Boyer took over to cover some basics in floriculture. We both worked with the students as he taught them them basics of putting together our beautiful arrangements and some of the different styles of arrangements that you could find at a flower shop. While it was very hectic at times putting everything together, the students had a lot of fun doing it, and
they turned out some great arrangements.

In shop, I also got to observe, as Mr. Heyler took over to cover some of the more intricate details of building construction, and now, the students are full steam ahead for designing and beginning the building process of their mini-barns (20x30 inches to be exact). It pretty crazy, but, I think I am more excited to see the finished products than they are.

But, back to the hectic week. It seemed like Monday-Thursday rolled by, everyday at lunch time the officers would come down to the ag room, and practice their opening and closing ceremonies, and would try and to memorize and perfect it as much as possible.

When Thursday night did finally roll around, all those old feelings started coming right back. The delicious meal, gathering of the families and students, and an excitement for the upcoming award ceremony. And hats off to the officers they did a great job with their opening ceremonies.

Officers during opening ceremonies

The rest of the program went off without a hitch!!! They even surprised me, by giving me my own honorary chapter degree, and they gave me a personalized wooden name tag to put at the front of the room. But that evening wasn't about me, it was about the incredible students and how awesome they did.

Now that the excitement of Banquet is over, its time to move on to the excitement of SLLC, and the excitement of me going back to full time teaching next week. Here we come animal science!!!!!!

As you can tell, Tyler was super excited!!!

Keep on, Keeping on

Along with another week of student teaching, came a new list of challenges and accomplishments. And while sometimes I feel that the list of challenges is a lot longer than accomplishments, I know that the accomplishments I do achieve are ones in the right direction.

This week we began wrapping up our Pesticide Unit and our first leg of the building construction unit. One of my main challenges this week was trying to make the building construction lessons more hands on. The class will actually be doing some building over the course of the next 3-4 weeks. But, before the building could begin, the students have to learn some of the fundamentals of building a utility buildings, and learn common terms and ideas. So it was my task to make this information hands on while teaching them these basics.

So I began implementing questions, discussions, and even had students design their dream building, and develop qualities that they wanted in their own building. What was really cool was that a lot of the students kept their drawings, and one even told me that he wanted to keep it so that he could use it in the future to build this dream shop of his.

Next week will be a new adventure for me, as we begin preparing for banquet, get in our strawberry orders, and I will be assisting Mr. Boyer this week in teaching floriculture to both the Ag Science and Horticulture students. I'm also excited because this will be the first major activity that I will be preparing and assisting with for the FFA Chapter. The officers are already preparing for opening ceremonies, and getting ready for an exciting banquet.

Well, now it's time to get back to observations with the lovely Ms. Gordon at Ridgemont High School. I guess I just gotta keep on, keeping on!!!!

New Chapter in student teaching

The end of last week and the beginning of this week have brought on new challenges, struggles, and triumphs in the classroom.

Here are two of my students finishing a four way circuit.

Last week I wrapped up not just 1, not just 2, but 3 of my first units, and am now moving on to new subjects in each class. In Ag Mechanics we finished up our electrical unit and are now moving on to building construction. This unit is especially exciting because not only will I be teaching about carpentry and how to build utility buildings, but, we also will be making model barns in the classroom, and, will be building full size garden sheds within the next 2-3 weeks. Talk about Exciting Stuff!!!!!

In my Ag Science and Horticulture classes, we are covering Pesticide Education and Application. While my Ag Science class will be finished with this unit by the end of the week. In horticulture, we will spend another 2-3 days on the subject to get a more up close look at how to properly use pesticides and how to use an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) plan.

The Ag Science Students are ending this unit at a perfect time, so we can do 2-3 days of floriculture, and prepare centerpieces for the Cowanesque Valley FFA Banquet. The Horticulture students will be assisting with this as well, and getting some hands on experience with the Floriculture Industry.

Our Pesticide Manual we use for class!!

One of my goals last week was to make my classes more engaging, and less discussion based. I am slowly moving in the right direction, as I am utilizing more technology (powerpoint, video, internet articles), and more classroom activities and projects. For instance, last Friday, I had my  Horticulture students research 3 different insects, and find why they were considered a pest, and what were some mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical controls to help stop the pest. It was a good way of bringing together some ideas we had learned about earlier in the week, and a good segue into this weeks topics: Pesticide Uses, Applications, and Safety. One of my main problems though, is that no matter how much I switch things up, the students don't seem entertained and they are losing interest. I hope to make classes more exciting for them, so they are more interested. One way I've found that makes them perk up, is with a stronger transition.

For instance, I utilized a 3 minute video from Mythbusters last week in class that got them asking more questions (Mythbusters seems to have that affect on everyone.) and today at the end of class, I showed them what the future of pesticide application might look like, by showing them a video of a RC helicopter and an RC boat, both applying pesticides in rice fields. That got quite a few of them asking questions, and discussing what other technology we might see used in the Pesticide Industry.

For this week, I want to continue on that path, and try to make my classes more interesting for the students, while making sure that they are learning along the way.

Say it with me..... SAE!!!!

I can't believe how quick this week went by!!! With us being off on Monday, and me going to state college on Friday, it seemed like I had hardly anytime in the classroom, and with us doing review and testing in most of my classes, this week just seemed to blow by.

One new experience I got this week was working with students on their SAE projects. While I have done some work with my freshman students, I haven't had a chance yet to sit down with my older students and assist them with theirs.

Example of the AET System.

So this week, we took two days after class and worked on their SAE projects through AET. It was really a great opportunity to get to know my FFA members better, while also getting to know the AET system better.

I also found out that my students have some awesome SAE projects. From Maple Syrup Production to Volunteer Projects, my students covered a wide variety of topics, and it was really cool to see that. Next week, we will be working on their SAE's some more. So, my goal is to learn more about the AET system by continuing my exploration of the website and all of it's functions. 

Here's to hoping I'll become an AET Master!!!!!!

Winter Weather Means....... Modified Schedule

Every Morning, I have roughly the same routine. I wake up, take a shower, prepare for the day, and go out and start my truck about 10 minutes early. Being someone who loves getting into a warm truck, Tioga County has made me appreciate it even more. Especially after weeks like these.

Thanks to this guy for coming to observe on Tuesday.

To start with, on Monday school was cancelled. It always a shame when school is cancelled, because one less day in the classroom, is one less day of learning for the students, and I do appreciate having all the days I can to cover as many topics as possible. I want them to get as much as possible out of class, and I can't do this on snow days.

Tuesday was exciting though (except for our two hour delay), because of our special guest..... Dr. Ewing. It was great seeing Dr. Ewing, and getting some feedback on my teaching style. I appreciate the tips and pointers given, and have already been trying to utilize them!!! One thing for instance is the utilization of a weekly plan, so that way every week Mr. Heyler, Mr. Boyer, and myself can sit down and actually look at how the week will progress, and how the topics and objectives in class connect and flow.

Throughout the rest of the week, my classes have been busy at work wrapping up different topics. For instance, in Ag Science we have been reviewing different topics in Asexual Propagation. and in Horticulture, we reviewed Wednesday and Thursday all the topics covered in class, from plant anatomy, to growth media, to Macro-nutrients. We were planning on having or test today, but then........... you guessed it, another snow day.

My new certificate!!!!

Today's snow day ended up being good and bad. While that is one less day to work with the students, I did end up getting the opportunity to participate in a district-wide mandatory reporter training. Whats great is that, now that the training is complete, I have my Pennsylvania Mandatory Reporter Certification, which is required to be renewed every 5 years. It's great that I got this opportunity, and am a step ahead for when I finally become a teacher.

I realize that while snow days can be a setback for students and teachers alike, it doesn't mean that some good, like professional development, can't come out of it. On to next week, where we will truly find out what my students know.... Test time!!!!!
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A Substitute doesn't always mean a substitute plan.....

Got your attention with that title didn't I. First off, let me clarify. When no teacher is in the classroom, a lesson plan designed for the substitute is a must. That being said, there was a substitute in class this week, twice as a matter of fact. But, I was here also. Since last Friday, I have had a substitute in the class with me for two days. Two days in Mr. Boyer's room, and two days in Mr. Heyler's room.

I honestly wasn't sure how to feel. It was nice knowing that they had trust in me to continue teaching classes without their guidance, but, absolutely terrifying to realize that they weren't there to guide me. But, I did what I do everyday. Put on my teaching pants, and came to school. It ended up being a great experience, and I got the opportunity to connect with two more colleagues. Ms. Heyler and Mr. Williams.

Ms. Heyler (no relation to Mr. Heyler) was a great teacher to work with. Not only did she offer advice and tips for teaching, I also learned that she too went to Penn State and majored in (wait for it)......... Agricultural and Extension Education!!!!! She explained that after she graduated, she wasn't sure if teaching was for her, so she went into the business field. After leaving, she came back to teaching as a substitute, and is currently searching for a full time opening. It was nice to have a sub with this kind of background, so she could not only offer specific tips for teaching Ag, but was a great team member, in case I got a question that I wasn't quite sure how to answer.

One of  my attempts at grafting

Mr. Williams was substituting for Mr. Heyler. While he didn't have much of an agricultural background, I found that he had great report with the students, and, he even commented that he enjoyed the static electricity lesson I did with the students, and was going to try some of the experiments with his grandchildren at home.

I think this week was a good one for me to go on my own though. In my Ag Science and Horticulture classes, we discussed asexual propagation, and in Horticulture, we even got to practice grafting and performing leaf cuttings on plants. (Ag science will be doing a slimmed down version of that next week.). Along with asexual propagation we discussed the use of tissue culture, and my Hort. students are now working on an end of unit project.

In Ag Mechanics, we all about electric, about electric, electrical wiring!!!!! after spending a few days last week, and one day this week explaining wiring and electrical concepts/safety, we are now in the full swing of wiring, finishing duplex receptacle wiring, and, starting spst (single pull, single throw) light wiring. And while school policy says that while the teacher is gone, we can't use the equipment, we are still going over topics that will help them better understand their wiring skills.

Two of my seniors who play basketball. SO PROUD!!!!!

Speaking of Ag Mechanic Students, I am proud to say that I witnessed my boys beat their rivals, and fellow district school Williamson High. I know I've only been here for a couple of weeks, but, I can honestly say that I am proud of these guys, and proud of the things they are doing.

After the week I've had, I can safely say that I can handle the pressure of no cooperating teacher, and that I've been prepared with the skills to still have an engaging lesson even without the use of our shop tools.

I also learned that just because a substitute teacher is in the class, doesn't mean that learning can't be happening. It just means that the information on the topic might need to be provided more than what a typical teacher would need. But, in both classes I saw learning occurring, and both Mr. Boyer and Mr. Heyler stressed the importance of students actually having work, and it being relevant. That's what I mean by a "substitute plan". Substitute teachers went through training, classes, and student teaching just like us. They are capable of handling a classroom, and more than willing to do what their job is, Teach. It is a waste of students time and potential to just have them watch a useless movie. And besides that, no matter who's teaching the lesson, there's no substituting a fun, educational lesson in class.

That's all this week. Next week will be a whole new challenge for me, As I not only switch from my horticulture class to Metal Fabrication, but, in Ag Science, we will be moving on to our next unit.... Animal Science. Have a great rest of the week, and from a very chilly Northern Tioga County, STAY WARM!!!!!!
  

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?