Progress no matter how great or small.

   This week was another whirl wind. One crazy thing after another that makes you think "AGain".
This week I really tried to create engaging different lessons. I had found some things that worded but I wanted to do more. This week I incorporated things like teaching aids, mini white boards, bingo, jeopardy, candy, student driven questioning games and baskets, and discussion circles. Definitely into the mini white boards. I have enough for every student, and they all can use them. You can use them for a million things too. They help to keep the students entertained, and engaged, without their computers. I notice that while student will use computers for distractions, they don't actually like using them. So I wanted to get way from them as much as possible. I have a really great independent study student that I have been working with. I have started to run ideas, and worksheets and things by her. Things like " Hey what do you think of when you see this? How do you learn? Does this worksheet look intimidating?" I think that has been beneficial because what an adult thinks is cool, may not always be cool.
 I picked up another class this week. the student were very receptive and we had a ton of fun. I am super excited to work with them  in my last few weeks. I don't have too much yet, it is like another honeymoon period so we will see next week as I get into reproduction what happens! I was able to get my lesson looked at and approved and we are going to be doing lots of activities, and learning for all. Super excited. I feel like I am finally getting it. I know it may be late. But it is a learning experience and I am learning all that I can. these kids are great, and my cooperating teacher is simply the best. I am so glad I got the chance to work with this department.
  I have been working more with the kittens as they get bigger. The student are in love. Of course where there is joy there is also sadness. We have one very large baby that we call Toad. Toad was by far the favorite of the entire department. He was the sole baby for one of the older mothers. He was fed very well need less to say. and when he sat he looked like a big old toad. He caught the eye of one of my students that has some person problems, and really just (Toad in Cameron's hand, everyone loved him) needed a friend in life. She came in two days ago and asked Mrs. Miller if she could have him for Easter. After that she was a new girl, she was socializing more, participating in class, she had found a new meaning for school. Well last night we believe one of the custodians got in the cage and may have dropped Toad. 1st period we got the little one out and everyone noticed at once that Toad had a broken back and was barely breathing. I happened to see the students face just as she realized that Toad would never come home. I have never seen something so sad or heart wrenching in my entire life. It was all I could do to keep from crying for her in the middle of class.  Student teaching is hard, your learning, adapting, doing work, balancing a life on no money, and trying to be something you always had wished to be, but nothing will ever be as hard as those moments where YOUR students have to go through something that hits them that hard. I don't think I will ever forget her face as long as I live.
 Darn those kids under your desk!

A Normal week? is that possible?

This was the closest thing to a normal week that I think we have had yet.
For once there was no snow, and no competitions.
This week I really tried to focus on creating well rounded lessons. Through some collaborative efforts of my cooperating teacher and myself we worked through some really good lessons.
I tried to create variablility in my lessons, and engage my students. I introduced a project that the students are very interested in . I had them pick an animal to share the various aspects of care on that we learn in class during instructional time.
Their interest really makes the classes flow smoothly.
  The students are also beginning to see the changes in the baby rabbits. this really excites them and engages them for learning moments. I have them keep charts on the observations that they are  making as well.
 I will starting a different class in the upcoming eek. I am excited about this class because it is all new. I have never taught about large breed farm animals so this will be pushing me to create interesting educational lessons. the nice thing about the class is that the students already know me. They are comfortable with me so the transition should be easy.
  I am also working with an independent study student to help her check on and document growth of the rabbits. she is creating a movie by taking pictures of the rabbits every day. she will then speed it up to show the growth of the rabbits. It is a super cool project and she and I are both really excited.
  There was also an advisory committee meeting this week. It was different . It was my first experience with it and it was really cool. The people that belong to the committee are so well suited for the positions. they are people in the adams county industry and they know they stuff. I was really pleased that I got to partake in that experience. I learned a lot about dynamics, and working with industry, and just good business practice.
 I ended the week with the PSU teacher seminar. This was a great professional development day. I really enjoyed doing the mock scenarios. I felt like it was the questioning component of a CDE. This kinda sparked a passion and really got me pumped about teaching. I reviewed the score cards that I was given from each component. I had great feedback and some really positive comments. I think I did really well and it was nice to accomplish that. It was also really nice to sit and talk about lesson plans. That fun and educational for sure. By offering advice to my peers i also gained a better well rounded picture of what I am doing in my class room. I think that it brought a reflection front and center.
I have many things to work on, but I am working hard. I believe I have gained so much from the time I have spent at PSU and the time in the classroom.
My goals include planning, time management, and really taking in the big picture.

Alternative assignment . the total program

I was fortunate to be placed in an agriculture program that includes every aspect of the total program. The total program includes FFA, SAE, and classroom instruction. Biglerville is a small district that allows for the agriculture teachers to get to know everyone in the high school. In one way or another, the entire population will pass through the agriculture department. I have been very lucky to experience so many great things. We have numerous SAE’s that are now being conducted on AET for the first time, we go to almost every FFA event ever heard of, and we have classrooms full of new students wanting to learn.

               My first real experience at Biglerville started with an FFA event. I was fortunate enough to go to Biglerville on a year that they were going to national convention. I went to national convention with a van full of kids that didn’t really care for me, and came home with students that acted like I’ve been their teacher for years. I have trained two floral design independent studies and a public speaker for the CDE’s so far. The kids were really receptive and they did really well, and they thanked me. That feeling of seeing how you helped is priceless, and probably some of my highest moments as a student teacher. I enjoy the FFA events and look forward to many more with these great kids.

               Next, is the classroom/lab experience. What an experience it has been too. I cannot put a number or price on what I have learned being placed at Biglerville with two very skilled and experienced teachers. I have taught regular classes that include animal science and plant sciences. They have pushed me to new limits because I really didn’t know anything about animals. Just recently I was able to conduct a lab experience for my vet science class. We dissected the internal organs of a meat rabbit. I got the organs because a student was butchering. The dissection went really well. I could have made it more structured but indeed this is a learning experience. I also had a shop experience with 70 percent life skills/learning support students. I learned that it’s not only about showing them how to peace things together and watching them, but being cognitive of their feelings and frustrations. It was a great experience I can’t believe how much I became aware of in just a few hours of instruction. I believe that I am really getting a well rounded opportunity.

               Finally the last component of the Biglerville total program, is the SAE component. Many of the students have supervised agriculture experiences. I have been a part of visits, and planning sessions. Very important aspects of SAE. I have recently been helping students get onto AET so that they may keep records on their computers. The great thing about this is that our school is 1:1 computing. I have students coming to me directly for help now which is cool. Is not really like a two teacher department and a student teacher it’s more like a three teacher department which, is fantastic. I’ve learned that you need to match the book to the kid, and then check to see what’s going on. Work with the kids closely to make suggestions and improvements on the actual book and what they are doing.

               So far I have been able to experience a little bit of everything and be immersed in the total program. I have been able to see what that really looks like. It is so much more than three circle model it a real life approach to well rounded education and nobody can deny that.

Goats? rabbits? hampters? what next!!

What a week.
    I had a fair week all around. I have been working on my planning. Sometimes things don't always work out to plan but I have been doing my best to have lessons completed and materials that are associated pulled together. I think it really helped to alleviate some stress. This factor led to better lessons. It not perfect yet but with some hard work and polishing I think ill be able to get this aspect down.
   It has been a crazy past two weeks. From dissections, to goats in the classroom, to rabbit chaos, can you say crazyyyyyyy. I have managed to turn more than I could have ever dreamed into a learning experience. For example when a student completely ripped out a rabbit nail, and blood shot everywhere. I was remarkable surprised in myself at how well I handled that. I think that being in the teacher position forces you to be calm in control person. We had several still bon rabbits this week. I was charged with the task of removing two of the dead one from the pens. That was...um lovely. I did it and survived as was then able to show the students different aspects of the kittens and make it a teachable moment.
  Some days we have goats in the classroom. Those days are interesting. Teaching with what sounds like a screaming kid in the back round is challenging but is helping to teach me how to teach better and around distractions.
  This week we had a public speaking contest. I was asked by the student to give advice and coaching. The very first thing I did was record the girl on my phone giving her speech. Once she could hear herself speak and follow along she caught so many of her own errors that I didn't have to say anything which made the fixes go much smoother. Went to the competition and I though she might pass out from the nerves. So I told her if she won she could have a frosty. Talk about incentives, all was right in the world after that. She went and competed and made it to the next round. It was awesome . She came out of there so happy that she started to tear. wohoo!
  This coming week I plan to continue to work upon my planning and creating fun informative lessons.
I look forward to teaching about and learning more about the rabbits since we now have 20 in our classroom. Everyday stretches me further and teaches me more. I never was a big animal person, nor did I ever learn anything about rabbits. So this has been such a huge journey. During the dissection I had to be in that role where I gave direction and pulled out the organs. Generally in dissections I would stand back and let the other people do it. So everyday I find out more about myself and what it takes to be a teacher. working hard to get to that stellar level.

The tides are changing...

This week I focused on management.

Managing my time, my efforts, planning, and the classroom.

  Managing time. I already thought that I was managing that to the best of my ability. It felt like there was no time in the day for that. Im trying to utilize every moment without being overwhelmed. It feel like no matter how much I do there is always more.
  I worked on focusing my efforts on the big picture. I tend to get too intently focused on little things, instead of working for the overall picture. I am doing this by writing more specialized lesson plans for each class. I have two of the same class, but they may have different plans all together or modifications from class to the other. Tailor fitting each class allows me to have a better handle on the lesson.
  Planning this week I finished all my plans ahead of time. all of the lessons were done by fir day of last week, and the worksheets were completed by Monday. This way I can write in any changes or ideas. Along with that I made all of my copies during a planning period in order to alleviate some of the morning chaos, and to make sure that all my students had what they need to succeed. I created several guided notes or graphic organizers for the material. The kids seem to respond better to this type of worksheet or notes. They will participate more as well, so I made sure that I included on for most of the lessons. I also made sure that the worksheets were complete. I thought through every column and how it may be easy or difficult for them to understand and then modified accordingly. As part of my plans I have recently started using a new format for my lessons. This seems trivial but makes a hug difference. I also color code the lesson. The red is what you say, black is the category, and purple are person notes to self to ensure a good class. this also makes it easier to find the info fir the organizers.
  Managing the classroom. I am trying to develop the kill of being immersed with the students while maintaining an eye on the big picture and everyone around. The school does not have a cell phone policy so I am working with that and the students to lesson any conflict there. As the students get more comfortable with me they get more receptive to my direction. I also sit in the Large class which I do not have. I learn with the students and help out where I can with the students. Iv lean red so much about goats already just from this week.
   I had two separate lab experiences this week. The first was a basic shop experience. I had two separate classes building rabbit nest boxes from wood. The students had to work together to complete them. Many of the students were life skills. they worked really hard to try and do it correctly. i learned that small demonstrations and individual guiding kept them on the same track as the rest of the students. It was fairly slow but all in all a good experience. I handled the safety glasses things from the beginning I told my class that safety glasses were not an option and no body would enter the shop without em.
                  This week in Apple City news:
- T shirt sales and handling that in the classroom'
-Building nest boxes, can you say stressful. I don't think I could ever say enough to be careful " do not hit your partners hands"
- Introduction of baby goats into the classroom
- Meat judging with  4 students
-Rabbit babies

Next week:
Animal Care :pets and animal industry p1 and p5  UEQ: how do we care for pets?
vet science: introduction to breeds for cdes  p6 and vet skills, vaccinating goats
Independent : TBA

Apple City

This past week was pretty good.

Overall I think that the kids are getting to feel more comfortable with me. When I walk about the halls they all say hi like I'm a regular teacher in their lives. It is really nice to get to know them. Since this school has an entire population of half what my graduating class was I get to see and know a large percentage.
    This week I wrote a small article on the Ag Olympics an submitted it to the Gettysburg Times with a photo. It was a nice way for the kids to show the public what they were doing and that the FFA chapter worked hard to create an event for their peers.
  I started doing some observations of other teachers in my prep periods. I visited two science teachers presenting labs, two learning support classes of different types, an English teacher, and a band class. This was AMAZING. The greatest thing to see was the band. It was 8th grade. This was my first experience with that age group. Can you say eye opener!!! They were phenomenal too , I loved it. I learned a lot of great tips from observing .
  I had another observation this week. I still have a long way to go but it was better. I think any improvement  is a step in the right direction. Overall I believe that this experience is has taught me a lot and will continue to help me grow.
  This was the first full week of school with no delays or cancelations since I got here. It was tiring but went well.
  I think that the massiveness of this experience really hit me this week. You are taught to teach, and you are told that it will be a certain way when you go through student teaching.  Im not sure anything can truly prepare you for the mental toll that this can take. When you go from college to a setting where you don't see people your age and you do 4-5 hours of work a night. There is this culture shock that takes you by storm. To be an ag teacher is to be an ag teacher. There is a life style change. I've never wanted to be anything else from the first day I had an ag class in 9th grade. I think that the desire to be what you want to be can make you feel even worse when things don't go your way. This week has really been about that mental and emotional shift that happens in order to become what I desire most to be. Welcome to the learning process......

National FFA Week

What a crazy week again.

     This week was jam packed once again. so many events and new things going on. My first person triumph for this week was really becoming one of the group. I was able to create some new relationships by working with two floral independent study students. They got really comfortable with me which made teaching them a breeze because they wanted to hear what I knew and about my experiences actually doing floral for a job. Today there was a fabulous moment where a student came into the classroom to specifically show me a project he had finished that he had been working on all year. He was so excited and I felt really privileged to share that moment of success with him. His bookcase was beautiful by the way.
  This week I started working pretty heavily and on my own with the independent study kids. I was able to teach them some basic floral design skills, and even some theory and thought process behind the business. Words cannot even describe how happy this made me feel this week, I got to teach in a relaxed setting my favorite thing in ag. One of my girls went to winter skills to compete at Bermudian. She came in second for the floral design component of the floral competition. Oh heck yes. She made it on the front page of the Gettysburg times.
  I helped out winter skills a ton. I actually was in charge of the floral arrangement component. Mr. Tindall came in and out to help me and it was the greatest experience. I graded all of the arrangements.  When it was over the students were allowed to come back in obtain their arrangements. One of the students wanted to know why I graded how I had graded their arrangement, so I explained everything to them and gave them suggestions to fix it. When I looked up I had maybe 20- 25 kids in a line that all wanted suggestions and to speak with me. It was crazy incredible fast floral craziness. I spoke with each one and evaluated their arrangements with them. I think the thing that really topped it off was the fact that my student competed against students that my ag teachers had trained. What a wonderful thing.
   This week I also had my first observation. I was able to speak with my supervisor and Dr.Ewing. That was priceless .I got so many really great suggestions. I felt like Penn State was really there for me. I think that all students should have the opportunity to meet with two supervisors if they wish. The amount of help you can get from meeting with your cooperating teacher and two other professionals at once is beyond helpful. It was also really cool to have them see a little known ag dept. My objective is to work on planning, and writing more complete impactful lessons. I learned a lot and am ready to work hard to get up to level that I need to be. It really hit me hard after that visit.
     I helped out with Agriculture Olympics today. The first thing I noticed was how hard that my students had worked in order to pull this off. I was so proud of them. When I walked into the gym the first thing I saw was that their entire school population was half of my graduating class. What a culture shock. But we had a ton of fun. The girls asked me to help them out with their posters, which was an honor. Their was an egg toss in which the girl missed and the egg splattered all over Mrs.Miller. oops!
Great week!!
  I was able to use the supplies I got from the creativity lab Laura. I used the foam to represent a landscape and the students used pins to signify elements in a landscape and the student created these crazy amazing ideas. They created keys with the designs as well so that I new what each pin stood for. I made one with them at the same time. It was a group activity. Theirs was way better than mine!
Happy National FFA week! Here's a through back from my career, which is why I am here

Pesticide suits are great for pie eating!