I chose to conduct my action research on exam scores. For my agriculture science class, the first exam I gave them the scores were not as high as I had hoped.
I decided that I would set out to find a way to raise exam scores, or at least observe what I thought raised them. For my research, I proposed that I would give my class an oral review, a written review, and a game review for 3 different exams. I then would average their scores, and see which review produced the best score.
After I conducted the experiment, I saw that the game review produced the best results. I thought the written review would produce the best results, because I basically gave them the test answers right in front of them. The students that did poorly that day must not have bothered to study the written review.
I can see how the game exam review would have produced the best results. The kids were all really excited and into the game. The adrenaline was flowing. I saw an experiment on the discovery channel one time testing memory of mice. They ran the experiment with two mice. First, they dropped one mouse into a circular tank of water that head a clear pillar in it that the mouse could stand on to get out of the water, but he had to find it first. Then, they injected the second mouse with adrenaline and dropped him in. He found the pillar in roughly the same amount of time.
For the second trial, the first mouse found the pillar in about the same amount of time as the first trial. The second mouse swam directly to the pillar on his second trial, because he was able to remember where it was due to the adrenaline that was pumping through him on the first trial. This same phenomenon is true with humans. We remember experiences vividly when we are energized from adrenaline, even it is a little amount from a ag science jeopardy game.
That is, at least, how I related their success to what was going on. In the end, the game review worked the best, and the written review fell short to even the oral review. I am glad that I did this experiment though. It is a good way to show how you can use data to modify instruction.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Home Stretch
Next week is my last week living in Gettysburg and teaching at the high school. This week I am finishing with my environmental science class.
It is bittersweet that my time with my most difficult class has come to an end. Yes, they gave me more problems than I hoped for at the beginning of this internship. But by the end, they really have come around and actually listen to me. I often left that class quite frustrated and disappointed, but it all worked out. We ended by taking our last test, and going outside to clean the last of our blue bird boxes and just hanging out and reflecting afterwards.
My engines class is really a lot of fun. They all work pretty well, and it is good to see them actually learning things previously completely unfamiliar to them. Quinn came down to visit this week, it was good to have a buddy there for the day to just talk about our experiences and what is coming up. She even helped me facilitate the lesson in engines.
Next week, I am just teaching engines and getting caught up on my Penn State assignments. I am going on field trips to the national zoo, to plant chestnut trees, and to stock trout. It should be a good week to end on.
It is bittersweet that my time with my most difficult class has come to an end. Yes, they gave me more problems than I hoped for at the beginning of this internship. But by the end, they really have come around and actually listen to me. I often left that class quite frustrated and disappointed, but it all worked out. We ended by taking our last test, and going outside to clean the last of our blue bird boxes and just hanging out and reflecting afterwards.
My engines class is really a lot of fun. They all work pretty well, and it is good to see them actually learning things previously completely unfamiliar to them. Quinn came down to visit this week, it was good to have a buddy there for the day to just talk about our experiences and what is coming up. She even helped me facilitate the lesson in engines.
Next week, I am just teaching engines and getting caught up on my Penn State assignments. I am going on field trips to the national zoo, to plant chestnut trees, and to stock trout. It should be a good week to end on.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Two Weeks Left
The time really has flown by during this experience. I am down to two classes, and two weeks left.
Throughout the week, we have been working through the strawberry unit in horticulture. It has kind of been a boring unit, difficult to do many activities with. The class made it through though, and we are visiting a strawberry farm on 4/14. This is something new to me too.
I really like the group of kids I have been given in small gas engines. They are a fun group of guys. We are in the process of disassembly, and I can tell are really learning some stuff. I will continue to teach them until my last day.
In environmental science, we just conducted a stream lab (a day earlier than I wanted to). They wanted to go a day early and the weather was nice. I told them before they decided that it was pretty messy out there still and their shoes would get soaked, but we did it anyway and they learned. The lab was quite a success. I had them in groups of 4. They had to find 3 spots along the stream, one along the small part and two along the large part. They then had to get in the stream and measure the stream depth and sediment depth 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 feet from the bank. Then they had to measure the water temperature and calculate the stream velocity by floating a ping pong ball a measured distance and time it with a stop watch. They were responsible for turning over rocks and finding any vertebrates or invertebrates. We found mostly leeches and crayfish, but it was still a great success.
Looking forward to these last two weeks, going to make the most of them.
Throughout the week, we have been working through the strawberry unit in horticulture. It has kind of been a boring unit, difficult to do many activities with. The class made it through though, and we are visiting a strawberry farm on 4/14. This is something new to me too.
I really like the group of kids I have been given in small gas engines. They are a fun group of guys. We are in the process of disassembly, and I can tell are really learning some stuff. I will continue to teach them until my last day.
In environmental science, we just conducted a stream lab (a day earlier than I wanted to). They wanted to go a day early and the weather was nice. I told them before they decided that it was pretty messy out there still and their shoes would get soaked, but we did it anyway and they learned. The lab was quite a success. I had them in groups of 4. They had to find 3 spots along the stream, one along the small part and two along the large part. They then had to get in the stream and measure the stream depth and sediment depth 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 feet from the bank. Then they had to measure the water temperature and calculate the stream velocity by floating a ping pong ball a measured distance and time it with a stop watch. They were responsible for turning over rocks and finding any vertebrates or invertebrates. We found mostly leeches and crayfish, but it was still a great success.
Looking forward to these last two weeks, going to make the most of them.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Dropping Classes
With 3 weeks left, I have begun dropping classes. I am now down to horticulture, ag mechanics, and environmental science.
This upcoming week is my last week with horticulture. We are working with fertilizers, and are about to have our plant sale. We have planted over $2,000 worth of plugs and hanging baskets (Laura got a look at the greenhouse!). Our hydroponic lettuce has also come along nicely. I hope that I have helped these kids learn a few things.
I am learning so much from teaching small gas engines. I think I can say that teaching that class is helping me more than teaching any other. It is a nice group of 12 kids, and their knowledge ranges from knowing a little bit about engines, to not knowing a single thing. It is nice to know more than all of the students :).
Environmental science and I have been getting along better each week. I have arranged an outdoor stream lab this week for them which should go over nicely. There are still the usual suspects that like to test me, but all in all the class is not bad. It has helped me so much in the world of classroom management.
I am enjoying my time at Gettysburg so much more than I expected. I will truly miss my students and my cooperating teachers. I plan on staying in touch with them.
This upcoming week is my last week with horticulture. We are working with fertilizers, and are about to have our plant sale. We have planted over $2,000 worth of plugs and hanging baskets (Laura got a look at the greenhouse!). Our hydroponic lettuce has also come along nicely. I hope that I have helped these kids learn a few things.
I am learning so much from teaching small gas engines. I think I can say that teaching that class is helping me more than teaching any other. It is a nice group of 12 kids, and their knowledge ranges from knowing a little bit about engines, to not knowing a single thing. It is nice to know more than all of the students :).
Environmental science and I have been getting along better each week. I have arranged an outdoor stream lab this week for them which should go over nicely. There are still the usual suspects that like to test me, but all in all the class is not bad. It has helped me so much in the world of classroom management.
I am enjoying my time at Gettysburg so much more than I expected. I will truly miss my students and my cooperating teachers. I plan on staying in touch with them.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Goodbye Ag Science, Hello April
The end of my10th week shed both light and darkness onto my student teaching path -- April (and hopefully no more snow) is right around the corner, but I had to hand my ag science class back over to Mr. Abma.
It is unfortunate that I had to stop teaching this class that I have had since January because the material is so diverse, and the students in that class are good kids. It stinks because the weather never permitted us to go outside. They start their forestry chapter at the end of April, it would have been nice to teach that. I think overall I did my job in that class. We ate brownies on the last day of class, and the student that I have had issues with in the past came up to me and wished me good luck. He said something like "we've had our differences, but you taught me a lot". It was rewarding to hear this young man say that to me.
In environmental science we started our unit on "threatened and extinct species" last week. I covered some of the chapter, and we did a poster project where the students had to research an endangered species in Pennsylvania from the game commission website. They seemed to enjoy this, although they didn't necessarily work as hard as I wanted them to. I transitioned into two bird species that are declining in PA, bluebirds and kestrel hawks. We then walked on the school grounds and cleaned the bird boxes and even found a couple unwanted vermin living in the boxes. We also looked at the outdoor classroom that Mr. Abma started to build last year. It was good to actually get the class outside.
In hort, we just finished are unit on seeds and are in the process of planting plugs, and selling our hanging baskets soon. The kids really enjoy working with plants which is rewarding. This class is 8 kids -- 7 who want to be there. It is quite nice.
I am picking up small engines next week and am excited for it. I basically have all my lessons planned for it already which is nice. Hope this last month is a great one!
It is unfortunate that I had to stop teaching this class that I have had since January because the material is so diverse, and the students in that class are good kids. It stinks because the weather never permitted us to go outside. They start their forestry chapter at the end of April, it would have been nice to teach that. I think overall I did my job in that class. We ate brownies on the last day of class, and the student that I have had issues with in the past came up to me and wished me good luck. He said something like "we've had our differences, but you taught me a lot". It was rewarding to hear this young man say that to me.
In environmental science we started our unit on "threatened and extinct species" last week. I covered some of the chapter, and we did a poster project where the students had to research an endangered species in Pennsylvania from the game commission website. They seemed to enjoy this, although they didn't necessarily work as hard as I wanted them to. I transitioned into two bird species that are declining in PA, bluebirds and kestrel hawks. We then walked on the school grounds and cleaned the bird boxes and even found a couple unwanted vermin living in the boxes. We also looked at the outdoor classroom that Mr. Abma started to build last year. It was good to actually get the class outside.
In hort, we just finished are unit on seeds and are in the process of planting plugs, and selling our hanging baskets soon. The kids really enjoy working with plants which is rewarding. This class is 8 kids -- 7 who want to be there. It is quite nice.
I am picking up small engines next week and am excited for it. I basically have all my lessons planned for it already which is nice. Hope this last month is a great one!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Pesticide Certification
It is sad to say that we are a short 5 weeks away from being done with our student teaching experience. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned much.
My horticulture class and I have been working through the Penn State pesticide manual for the past 2 or 3 weeks in preparation for our approved Private Applicator licenses. I have enjoyed working through this unit because I got a much more thorough understanding of pesticides and the little details. When I told the students taking the exam that I was taking this with them, they really perked up.They were much more motivated to learn. I did the review questions throughout the book with them and learned so much from teaching this subject. For my lesson plan exercise at the delta experience I drew "pesticide safety" (originally I drew nanotechnology but Mr. Seaman had mercy on me). Completing the lesson plan in the allotted time was much more doable because of teaching this material. It was fun sitting with them taking the exam, I could tell they were liking it. They were all smiling and looking at me and each other. They finally got the concept that we are a team. (I like to tell my classes that :-))
For the last few weeks, the landscaping class and I have been working on putting in a block walk way in the green house. We are now moving into their drawing projects. This class is only 35 minutes long, so it is difficult to get much done not having the full 80 minutes. This was the first time I actually put in a walk way -- more things I am learning.
The beauty of that greenhouse right now is almost at full capacity. We just got hundreds of flowers planted in ornamental hanging baskets which are hanging around the 2 plant rooms in the green house. When they bloom it will look amazing. Then, the middle of one of the rooms is a pretty big hydroponic system we made with 30-40 healthy heads of lettuce growing out of it. We recently picked 10 heads of lettuce and I made a salad for a faculty meeting (mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and citrus vinaigrette if you are wondering). Then in the other room (the room with our walk way) we just finished installing tables to cover the greenhouse. We have geraniums covering all of the tables.
In the final room of the greenhouse, the animal science class has their animals. They are doing a project where they have to have at least 2 animals and raise them for 6 weeks. They are required to feed and water their animals every day and log it, and clean their cages or pens. The object of the project is to find some factor with your animal you want to measure, such as weight. One student has scorpions, and he is measuring their body growth. I love that greenhouse. (I will post pictures next week)
This was my second to last week with my Ag Science class. I just finished the aquaculture material, and have one more week with them until I go to Engines. I am quite sad about this because As Science has been my favorite class to teach. It was rewarding to actually hear some moans and groans when I said it was my last week teaching them.
Environmental science (or what as a wise university supervisor said, "the bloc class from hell) has taught me so much in the field of classroom management. There are a couple students in the class with IEPs that require a teaching aid to accompany them throughout the day, so she is obviously in my class every day too. She is Mr. Abma both told me that I show much more confidence in dealing with the "bad" students, and have much more control of the class. It is really a shame though because this is such good material and they do their best to make it a drag.
I am loving every minute of this experience, and now that the days are getting longer and the weather is getting nicer it allows for more opportunities to do outside lessons. I am working on planning a few.
My horticulture class and I have been working through the Penn State pesticide manual for the past 2 or 3 weeks in preparation for our approved Private Applicator licenses. I have enjoyed working through this unit because I got a much more thorough understanding of pesticides and the little details. When I told the students taking the exam that I was taking this with them, they really perked up.They were much more motivated to learn. I did the review questions throughout the book with them and learned so much from teaching this subject. For my lesson plan exercise at the delta experience I drew "pesticide safety" (originally I drew nanotechnology but Mr. Seaman had mercy on me). Completing the lesson plan in the allotted time was much more doable because of teaching this material. It was fun sitting with them taking the exam, I could tell they were liking it. They were all smiling and looking at me and each other. They finally got the concept that we are a team. (I like to tell my classes that :-))
For the last few weeks, the landscaping class and I have been working on putting in a block walk way in the green house. We are now moving into their drawing projects. This class is only 35 minutes long, so it is difficult to get much done not having the full 80 minutes. This was the first time I actually put in a walk way -- more things I am learning.
The beauty of that greenhouse right now is almost at full capacity. We just got hundreds of flowers planted in ornamental hanging baskets which are hanging around the 2 plant rooms in the green house. When they bloom it will look amazing. Then, the middle of one of the rooms is a pretty big hydroponic system we made with 30-40 healthy heads of lettuce growing out of it. We recently picked 10 heads of lettuce and I made a salad for a faculty meeting (mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and citrus vinaigrette if you are wondering). Then in the other room (the room with our walk way) we just finished installing tables to cover the greenhouse. We have geraniums covering all of the tables.
In the final room of the greenhouse, the animal science class has their animals. They are doing a project where they have to have at least 2 animals and raise them for 6 weeks. They are required to feed and water their animals every day and log it, and clean their cages or pens. The object of the project is to find some factor with your animal you want to measure, such as weight. One student has scorpions, and he is measuring their body growth. I love that greenhouse. (I will post pictures next week)
This was my second to last week with my Ag Science class. I just finished the aquaculture material, and have one more week with them until I go to Engines. I am quite sad about this because As Science has been my favorite class to teach. It was rewarding to actually hear some moans and groans when I said it was my last week teaching them.
Environmental science (or what as a wise university supervisor said, "the bloc class from hell) has taught me so much in the field of classroom management. There are a couple students in the class with IEPs that require a teaching aid to accompany them throughout the day, so she is obviously in my class every day too. She is Mr. Abma both told me that I show much more confidence in dealing with the "bad" students, and have much more control of the class. It is really a shame though because this is such good material and they do their best to make it a drag.
I am loving every minute of this experience, and now that the days are getting longer and the weather is getting nicer it allows for more opportunities to do outside lessons. I am working on planning a few.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Week 8: Improvement Every Week
I am starting to feel like I am doing close to my best. The kids are noticeably interested in class and have finally come around with my sense of humor.
On Sunday-Tuesday was the SLLC conference. This really helped me change my attitude towards my worst class. I spoke with fellow cohort members and they told me their bad stories. Sean Scanlon really offered much encouragement, and told me that I needed to "hit the reset button" with my class. I did just that. I gave them a little talk, and we set out to leave the past in the past. Of course, I still have 2 or 3 kids that I have had to write up that still dislike me that just refuse to comply. But things are definitely looking up.
This was another fun opportunity for me to hang out with the chapter officers. I had a lot of fun with them.
I only have 2 more weeks with my Ag science class, which is sad because they are my favorite class. We just finished up animal systems and are now starting aquaculture which I am excited about.
Horticulture is working to get their pesticide certifications on Wednesday. The unit has been pretty bland, but I have done my best to try to spice it up.
On Thursday I judged my first public speaking CDE. It was good to hear all of the different speeches, especially the ones that a lot of effort was put into. A student from our chapter got first place too. No, I didn't "stack the deck"!!
Looking forward to next week.
On Sunday-Tuesday was the SLLC conference. This really helped me change my attitude towards my worst class. I spoke with fellow cohort members and they told me their bad stories. Sean Scanlon really offered much encouragement, and told me that I needed to "hit the reset button" with my class. I did just that. I gave them a little talk, and we set out to leave the past in the past. Of course, I still have 2 or 3 kids that I have had to write up that still dislike me that just refuse to comply. But things are definitely looking up.
This was another fun opportunity for me to hang out with the chapter officers. I had a lot of fun with them.
I only have 2 more weeks with my Ag science class, which is sad because they are my favorite class. We just finished up animal systems and are now starting aquaculture which I am excited about.
Horticulture is working to get their pesticide certifications on Wednesday. The unit has been pretty bland, but I have done my best to try to spice it up.
On Thursday I judged my first public speaking CDE. It was good to hear all of the different speeches, especially the ones that a lot of effort was put into. A student from our chapter got first place too. No, I didn't "stack the deck"!!
Looking forward to next week.
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