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!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
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.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Week 7: Half way through
I cannot believe we have all been at it for 7 weeks now. Time really does fly when you're having fun -- and busy!
I truly am enjoying my time teaching. Except for a few kids, the group I have been given behaves exceptionally and actually care about school.
Something I am really troubled by is my relationship with one student. He is a senior and has just been informed that his grades are not good enough for him to graduate. Since then, he has shown even less care than before. This is the student I did my 10 day behavioral journal on in moodle.
He continues to sit in the back and draw, and not even remotely pay attention. I have moved him to the front, not without battle of course. I have emailed his parents with no response. I have called his parents, and they have trouble understanding my English because they are Mexican. They refuse to come in for a meeting. I have spoken with him one on one, telling him I want him to pass my class and that I will help him with whatever he needs. He continues to just not care.
This past week during an activity (a Dickens e-moment actually) I called on him to read his story. He just looked at me and talked. I said that it didn't look like you were reading much there. He said "because I didn't write anything". I told him that he would not be receiving points for the day. He got very angry at that point and said "You are the only teacher that gives me problems, all the other teachers just let me sit back and do my thing!" My cooperating teacher said that is because none of his other teachers care, they just let him fail. Whatever the reason is for any of this, it has just been on my mind lately and it really troubles me that some of my students dislike me because I move them or reprimand them for misbehaving in class. I am on their side, they just don't see it that way.
Aside from that, my classes are going smoothly. I have been readying our horticulture class to take their pesticide certification exam and they are truly enjoying it. We just hung our ornamental plants in the greenhouse for April sales, and our hydroponic lettuce has all ripened and is looking perfect. I am beginning co-teaching landscaping next week with my cooperating teacher, and am excited to tackle something new.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
I truly am enjoying my time teaching. Except for a few kids, the group I have been given behaves exceptionally and actually care about school.
Something I am really troubled by is my relationship with one student. He is a senior and has just been informed that his grades are not good enough for him to graduate. Since then, he has shown even less care than before. This is the student I did my 10 day behavioral journal on in moodle.
He continues to sit in the back and draw, and not even remotely pay attention. I have moved him to the front, not without battle of course. I have emailed his parents with no response. I have called his parents, and they have trouble understanding my English because they are Mexican. They refuse to come in for a meeting. I have spoken with him one on one, telling him I want him to pass my class and that I will help him with whatever he needs. He continues to just not care.
This past week during an activity (a Dickens e-moment actually) I called on him to read his story. He just looked at me and talked. I said that it didn't look like you were reading much there. He said "because I didn't write anything". I told him that he would not be receiving points for the day. He got very angry at that point and said "You are the only teacher that gives me problems, all the other teachers just let me sit back and do my thing!" My cooperating teacher said that is because none of his other teachers care, they just let him fail. Whatever the reason is for any of this, it has just been on my mind lately and it really troubles me that some of my students dislike me because I move them or reprimand them for misbehaving in class. I am on their side, they just don't see it that way.
Aside from that, my classes are going smoothly. I have been readying our horticulture class to take their pesticide certification exam and they are truly enjoying it. We just hung our ornamental plants in the greenhouse for April sales, and our hydroponic lettuce has all ripened and is looking perfect. I am beginning co-teaching landscaping next week with my cooperating teacher, and am excited to tackle something new.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Week 6: DVC Conference
This week was an eventful one, to say the least. I wrote a student up for the first time and had to send a few to the office. It ended with Delaware Valley College leadership conference on Saturday.
My meats class has become my favorite class. Not just because of the material, but because of the group of kids I was given. They are a well-behaved group for the most part, and they really are interested in learning about meat! We have our meat judging CDE coming up soon, and were able to get 5 kids to sign up.
Horticulture only has 8 students, but they are also a good group. We have been working hard in the greenhouse planting our ornamental flowers to sell in April, and finishing up the landscaping class's project of building a walk way.
Ag Science used to be my favorite class until I picked up meats. It is all freshman except two seniors. We our finally out of the cells and genetics material, and the kids are coming around. Some of them are frustrated with their grades. It is puzzling to me that I put so much time into the lessons and they still do not understand the simple material. They also don't read directions. I sometimes put answers in the directions, and they still miss them. At least they are finally learning to read the directions!
Environmental science is still my most frustrating class, and being my last class of the day makes it no better. The students' seating chart has been working wonders, and the students are a lot less prone to talk to one another. They are, however, more prone to putting their heads down and trying to sleep. I had to write a girl up for being insubordinate when I asked her to put her head up 3 different times, and to put her cell phone away 3 times. I told her she was going to get a zero on the assignment, and she said "Yeah, I know. I don't care". She then proceeded to watch videos about illegal drugs. I don't understand why it is so hard to just be compliant.
The week ended with a 3 hour drive to Delaware Valley College to participate in the CDEs being held there. We had a student place second in job interview, and 2 placing third and first in agronomy. I helped the kids practice for their CDEs in the previous weeks, so it felt extra good to see them succeed. I actually cheered out loud when their names were called at the closing ceremony. One thing I learned is that 3 hours in a van with 6 high school girls is a true test of patience.
My meats class has become my favorite class. Not just because of the material, but because of the group of kids I was given. They are a well-behaved group for the most part, and they really are interested in learning about meat! We have our meat judging CDE coming up soon, and were able to get 5 kids to sign up.
Horticulture only has 8 students, but they are also a good group. We have been working hard in the greenhouse planting our ornamental flowers to sell in April, and finishing up the landscaping class's project of building a walk way.
Ag Science used to be my favorite class until I picked up meats. It is all freshman except two seniors. We our finally out of the cells and genetics material, and the kids are coming around. Some of them are frustrated with their grades. It is puzzling to me that I put so much time into the lessons and they still do not understand the simple material. They also don't read directions. I sometimes put answers in the directions, and they still miss them. At least they are finally learning to read the directions!
Environmental science is still my most frustrating class, and being my last class of the day makes it no better. The students' seating chart has been working wonders, and the students are a lot less prone to talk to one another. They are, however, more prone to putting their heads down and trying to sleep. I had to write a girl up for being insubordinate when I asked her to put her head up 3 different times, and to put her cell phone away 3 times. I told her she was going to get a zero on the assignment, and she said "Yeah, I know. I don't care". She then proceeded to watch videos about illegal drugs. I don't understand why it is so hard to just be compliant.
The week ended with a 3 hour drive to Delaware Valley College to participate in the CDEs being held there. We had a student place second in job interview, and 2 placing third and first in agronomy. I helped the kids practice for their CDEs in the previous weeks, so it felt extra good to see them succeed. I actually cheered out loud when their names were called at the closing ceremony. One thing I learned is that 3 hours in a van with 6 high school girls is a true test of patience.
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