It is hard to believe that is it almost March already. In 2 more months we will all be packing up and heading back to State College to hopefully get that piece of paper we spent so much time and money on.
Each week has gotten better for me. I think that the most challenging part is planning for 80 minute classes. It is hard to keep their attention for the whole class period.
The highlight of my week was Thursday when Laura came to visit for the day -- felt like I was back in lab :-) It feels good to get feedback from her and Mr. Abma collectively. I obviously have a lot to work on, and variability is the biggest challenge for me.
My last class of the day is my most challenging one in terms of behavior. Most days I leave that class feeling frustrated and Thursday was no exception. Frankly, I was embarassed. They were actually worse on this day then they are on most. Laura encouraged me with a lot of good advice and pointers. One thing she said to me was "remember, they're kids. Don't let them frustrate you". That alone was a huge help.
I now have my full course load. The days are flying by. I hope that these kids learn something from me.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Snow Days Bring a Short Week 4
As week 4 comes to a close, I am feeling deprived of teaching time and my lessons are getting pushed back. So far, I think we have had a total of 6 snow days and 4 two hour delays.
It was a good Monday-Wednesday though. My environmental science class is working on trout in the classroom, and we finally got to dissect trout. This is my hardest class in terms of classroom management, so it was nice that the class ran smoothly especially the fact we had a guest speaker. His name was Dave, and he is the President of Adams County Trout Unlimited. He donated 11 fish -- 2 per group and it even left one extra for me to do. It was a good day.
In ag science, we took our first test. It really frustrates me when I give the students little hints on how to remember stuff. For example, I did a demonstration where I brought in a duffle bag and wrote on it "THIS DUFFLE BAG IS A CHROMOSOME". Then I had a student come up and discover what the bag represented as the class watched. Then I was like what do you guys think is in the bag? He then opened it up and there were blue jeans in it -- like "genes". So genes are what make up chromosomes. Then I put a piece of paper in the pocket with DNA drawn on it. I told him to look in the pocket. So DNA makes up genes.
When test time came, only a few people got the question "Differentiate chromosomes, genes, and DNA". Even the kid who did the demonstration missed it and it was something I touched on almost every day. It does, however, make you feel good when kids get 100% on the test. There are a few girls in the class who just love to learn, and one guy that is just really smart.
Next week, I am picking up my meats class finally!! I am excited for this class, just hoping I can make it as interesting as I want to. Meat is expensive!
Let's just hope this week is a full week!
It was a good Monday-Wednesday though. My environmental science class is working on trout in the classroom, and we finally got to dissect trout. This is my hardest class in terms of classroom management, so it was nice that the class ran smoothly especially the fact we had a guest speaker. His name was Dave, and he is the President of Adams County Trout Unlimited. He donated 11 fish -- 2 per group and it even left one extra for me to do. It was a good day.
In ag science, we took our first test. It really frustrates me when I give the students little hints on how to remember stuff. For example, I did a demonstration where I brought in a duffle bag and wrote on it "THIS DUFFLE BAG IS A CHROMOSOME". Then I had a student come up and discover what the bag represented as the class watched. Then I was like what do you guys think is in the bag? He then opened it up and there were blue jeans in it -- like "genes". So genes are what make up chromosomes. Then I put a piece of paper in the pocket with DNA drawn on it. I told him to look in the pocket. So DNA makes up genes.
When test time came, only a few people got the question "Differentiate chromosomes, genes, and DNA". Even the kid who did the demonstration missed it and it was something I touched on almost every day. It does, however, make you feel good when kids get 100% on the test. There are a few girls in the class who just love to learn, and one guy that is just really smart.
Next week, I am picking up my meats class finally!! I am excited for this class, just hoping I can make it as interesting as I want to. Meat is expensive!
Let's just hope this week is a full week!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Week 3
As week 3 comes to a close, it leaves me with the feeling of eagerness.
This week was my first week to teach. We had 2 snow days, 2 two-hour delays, and on Friday I was at the record book contest. I was only able to teach basically one session. However, I feel like it was a good session -- there were a few laughs, a lot of questions, and we got to eat food.
The class I picked up first was Ag science, mostly freshman. I am excited to work with this class because of all of the youngsters and their interest in agriculture. The first unit I am covering is genetics, and I did a neat little demonstration once we started talking about chromosomes that worked well. Mr. Abma reviewed with them today while I was in State College.
Next week, I am picking up an environmental science class with 20 something students in it -- some of which are not the best-behaved. I think this will be a good learning experience in terms of classroom management and also in content areas in which I am not familiar. I am excited to teach.
After my first lesson, Mr. Abma told me that I showed true teaching ability and am able to talk to any student. That made me feel pretty good, but I understand that it was only the first day. I am going to continue to try to make my lessons as useful as I can for these kids.
Today and yesterday was spent at the record book contest. I have seen record books before but haven't really delved into them like we did these past two days. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about the record book system, the changes it is going through, seeing my fellow classmates and teachers, and meeting some new people. I love the Ag family that God has blessed me with.
Tomorrow I suit up and go with 20 students and my cooperating teachers to ACES, my first time. Looking forward to it!
This week was my first week to teach. We had 2 snow days, 2 two-hour delays, and on Friday I was at the record book contest. I was only able to teach basically one session. However, I feel like it was a good session -- there were a few laughs, a lot of questions, and we got to eat food.
The class I picked up first was Ag science, mostly freshman. I am excited to work with this class because of all of the youngsters and their interest in agriculture. The first unit I am covering is genetics, and I did a neat little demonstration once we started talking about chromosomes that worked well. Mr. Abma reviewed with them today while I was in State College.
Next week, I am picking up an environmental science class with 20 something students in it -- some of which are not the best-behaved. I think this will be a good learning experience in terms of classroom management and also in content areas in which I am not familiar. I am excited to teach.
After my first lesson, Mr. Abma told me that I showed true teaching ability and am able to talk to any student. That made me feel pretty good, but I understand that it was only the first day. I am going to continue to try to make my lessons as useful as I can for these kids.
Today and yesterday was spent at the record book contest. I have seen record books before but haven't really delved into them like we did these past two days. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about the record book system, the changes it is going through, seeing my fellow classmates and teachers, and meeting some new people. I love the Ag family that God has blessed me with.
Tomorrow I suit up and go with 20 students and my cooperating teachers to ACES, my first time. Looking forward to it!
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