Even with a flexible instruction day and a couple of two hour delays, we were still able to do some hands-on activities in class this week, particularly in Ag Science I. We got into the lab and looked at leaves and roots under the microscope. The coolest part was watching aphids move around on a cucumber leaf (which you can see in the video below)! Students also got their hands dirty in the greenhouse. They planted sunflowers in biodegradable pots made from cow manure and also each planted a full flat with cucumbers and cauliflower. This activity got a good conversation started about soil mediums that will set us up for lessons on soils.
I started the fasteners unit with the Ag Science II class, which I definitely struggled with more than the plant science unit in Ag Science I. It isn't a topic that I'm as familiar with, so I'm doing my best to stay just ahead of the students in terms of content knowledge. As the week went on, I slowly started to feel a little bit more comfortable teaching the class. Instead of trying to teach myself using resources I can find on the internet, I started asking people in my life for help (which isn't always easy for me to do). I had to accept that trying to do it myself wasn't efficient and would only be a disservice to my students. As soon as I started asking people to questions or to clarify concepts for me, it all started to click. I still have a long way to go, but I know that if I lean into my network I can continue to grow my content knowledge and give my students the education that they deserve.
The one question that I'm left pondering this week is: how can I make learning to identify fasteners fun for the students?
Hi Alyssa - I'm glad you are asking those around you for help! It can be daunting but as you learned so much more efficient and beneficial for your students! While, I do not have an agriculture mechanics course, I imagine that a shop scavenger hunt for fasteners could be a fun way to learn to identify the different types. Also, for content areas where I am not as familiar, I make the students teach me and become the experts! Maybe you could have each student sign up for a fastener or a topic, do research, then teach the class in a 5-10 presentation and everyone learns together!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa,
ReplyDeleteI think this week's experiences are going to help you for years to come! You were able to take the steps necessary to ask others for help. We can't do this in a vacuum; we need to rely on each other to continue to grow as educators. You also learned (reaffirmed) that when we are not as confident in a particular content area, we need to spend extra time planning/learning for that content. I like Nicole's idea of a scavenger hunt. That could be fun/engaging for the students!
Dr. Ewing
Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this past week was a huge one for you! I am also someone who struggles asking for help from "real people" and I admire you for realizing that we are just human need help. While I don't know much about fasteners myself, I am sure you could create Kahoots, games, challenges, and matching game worksheets to help your students identify. You could create a jeopardy game where they have to guess the fasteners while on two different teams. I'm excited to hear how things go in this course for you!
-Michaela