Week 3: The third times a charm!

This was my third week student teaching at Conneaut Area Senior High. The first week I was excited, the second week I just wasn’t feeling it but this week I think it all clicked. This week I felt more confident in my lessons and more comfortable in the classroom.

In my Ag 2 class we continued to discuss plant structures and then began talking about soil. We did some fun activities including using Play dough to create parts of a flower and making our very own edible soil profiles. Also, the geraniums that we planted last week have come up and are looking great. It has been fun to watch them grow in the greenhouse while we are talking about the parts of plants in the classroom.

On Tuesday I began teaching my Ag 3/4 class which is made up of Juniors and Seniors. We began by doing some introductions then got right into our lesson on Genetics. Throughout the week we did activities figuring out which traits we have that are dominant or recessive such as eye color and whether or not we had curly hair, practiced Punnett squares and did the Easter Egg lab. I really enjoyed getting to do the Easter Egg lab because it was one I had done in the Fall during our 412 lab. I made some adjustments and the activity went so much better this time around.

This week I also got to attend my first FFA meeting. It was exciting because this was my first FFA meeting ever! We discussed fundraisers, upcoming activities and National FFA Week. I am really looking forward to all the fun activities and events that I am going to get to do with the FFA Chapter while I’m here!

On Thursday, I also had my first observation with Mrs. Rice. It was awesome to get some feedback on my teaching and discuss my plans for my rest of the semester.

After these first three weeks I have noticed a few things that I need to work on during my lessons. The first is my questioning. I am working on being able to ask higher level of thinking questions but

to also perfect my wait time. The second is my lesson wrap up. I need to do a better job of summarizing at the end of each lesson and making sure I am using all of my class time.

“If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”

Week 2: And so it begins!

Everyday is becoming a new experience for me here at Conneaut Area Senior High. This week we had Monday off and an in-service day on Tuesday. During the in-service day I had the chance to attend a staff meeting, meet more of the administration and talk to Ms Aurand about future plans for my upcoming classes.

On Wednesday I finally got to teach my first group of students! I began my Plant Science unit with my Agriculture Education 2 class. We began with some introductions and talked about my expectations for the class. We talked about what experiences they have had with plants in the past and what they wanted to learn about. To finish out the class we talked about the importance of plants by listing all of the plants and plant products that we come in contact with on a daily basis. 

Thursday was a lot of fun because we got to be in the greenhouse! We discussed the proper way to plant seeds and what materials we needed. Then we got work planting geraniums! The goal is to be able to use these flowers at the FFA Banquet this spring! 

Friday we were back in the classroom discussing parts of plants. We specifically focused on roots and stems and their functions within plants. I have really enjoyed being in the classroom with the students this week. I am looking forward to adding another class next week and getting to work with more students! 

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."

Week 1: Welcome to C.A.S.H.

I cannot believe that this was my first official week as a student teacher. The past 7 semesters of college have lead up to this moment and it’s finally here. This week was a little different due to the fact that we were on a trip to the Farm Show for four days. However, I was both excited and nervous
to spend Thursday and Friday in the classroom.

This week was an observation week for me so I spent the majority of my time observing Ms. Aurand teach and trying to learn student’s names. At the beginning of each class we went around the room and each student shared their name and three things about them. This was a fun activity that really helped me get to know the students a little more but also helped the students get to know me.

Another exciting part of this past week was getting to meet other faculty members and the administration at Conneaut Area Senior High. It was great to put a face with the names of principals and other teachers throughout the school!

This week also gave me time to make sure I was ready to officially teach next week! I was able to get my lesson plans ready and get the materials lined up to pant geraniums in the greenhouse next week. I am looking forward to being in the front of the classroom starting Wednesday!

"Wake up with determination. Go to sleep with satisfaction"

My first Mid-Winter Convention!

I have attended the Pennsylvania State Farm Show every year since I was born, but this trip was different than any other. After spending a few days at the show with my cousins, I took on a new role Sunday night. I met up with Ms. Aurand, Mr. Bizjak and over twenty members of the Conneaut Area FFA. I was officially a student teacher.

Sunday night we spent time eating dinner, doing homework and most importantly practicing square dancing! Early Monday morning the students were lined up in the hall with their official dress on ready for the big day! We headed to the farm show complex and I was ready for my first Mid-Winter Convention ever.

It was not only an exciting day for me, it was a big day for the whole Conneaut Area FFA Chapter. 11 students got to put on their own FFA jacket for the first time, 3 students received their Keystone Degree and we even had 1 student who was an Agri-Business Star Finalist.

That evening 17 students from the FFA Chapter competed in the square dance competition. Students have been practicing the past few months and had the chance to demonstrate 5 dances Monday night. We walked away with two red ribbons!

We also participated in the #todaysFFA Social Media contest. This was my first official student teaching assignment! Our students told their Farm Show story on Facebook and Twitter with pictures and the hashtag #todaysFFA. Our chapter had the most views and post which means that we won the contest! We are looking forward to our pizza party with the State Officers!

Tuesday we spent the day traveling around doing tours of industries in the area. We started at Kreider Farms in Lancaster County. We saw the facilities where they raise 6 million chickens and milk over 1500 dairy cows on a carousel parlor. We then went to Zimmermans, a corporation that is made up of three businesses; Keystone Coating, PBZ Cattle Equipment and Crop Care. After this we toured Uncle Henry’s Pretzels and stopped at Cabelas. Wednesday we loaded up the bus and headed to Hershey to tour Chocolate World. After spending some time there we began the 5 hour bus ride home.

Overall, my first Mid-Winter Convention was a great one and a great way to kick off my student teaching experience.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."