Learning about inquiry based learning is a mind blowing but yet complex idea or skill to obtain. This week in lab I did a lab working with getting to the know the scientific method. If I were to use this lab in teaching it would have than went into the properties of milk.
I felt that my classmates were engaged wondering what was going to happen. I had to help push them in the right direction as from as coming up with a question because they knew we were dealing with milk and soap and the one group thought we were making soap.
In all realty the lab to show how following a procedure or not following one in the right order can have different affects on the outcome. If you put food coloring in first, than milk, and last dish soap it did not do a whole lot just like if you did it with milk instead of water. Where as when you put milk in first, added drops of food coloring, and last the dish soap there was a reaction.
A weakness for me was not knowing the content as to why this happened but writing the lesson plan I focused on the procedure and the steps of the scientific method. I also needed more questions that would make them think at a higher level.
On a good note though they were engaged and participating.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Being observant
Next time you go somewhere even if it is the mall or any public area take the time to look around and see what is going on. Many times things are happening all around us and we are so wrapped up in our own lives we miss little things that sometimes could make a difference.
I already did my National Convention blog so in this particular one I want to focus on what I saw as people interacted. One of the most interesting ones was actually when the group I was with went to a very formal hotel, The Brown Hotel, for dinner. You could tell we were visitors and this formal setting was not our thing. The one student dropped her fork and having to ask questions because we did not know what the name of the food meant. The waiter however, did not take offense or make smart remarks. He was always getting a chuckle and interacting with us. Asking us where we were from and the how nine yards.
One of the most uplifting moments I saw was chapters that had students with disabilities such as needing a wheel chair. It is great to see the other chapter members help these students be involved in something that is so much bigger. The adviser did it because they wanted to and not because they were forced. Having many friends that have physical limitations seeing individuals do things that some would not even attempt due to their limitations is awesome.
The saddest human interaction I saw was at the ag sales team award banquet. One girl realized she got gold which was in her mind the best thing that could ever happen. She teared up and cried because of joy. Some gentleman from another chapter were laughing at her because of how she was acting. But yet they did not know her story and how some individuals lives are not like theirs when it comes to a home life.
I must say though for what little time I had to observe people with just sitting down and watching you really see peoples true sides. You see the good in people but you also see the negative and hurtful side.
I already did my National Convention blog so in this particular one I want to focus on what I saw as people interacted. One of the most interesting ones was actually when the group I was with went to a very formal hotel, The Brown Hotel, for dinner. You could tell we were visitors and this formal setting was not our thing. The one student dropped her fork and having to ask questions because we did not know what the name of the food meant. The waiter however, did not take offense or make smart remarks. He was always getting a chuckle and interacting with us. Asking us where we were from and the how nine yards.
One of the most uplifting moments I saw was chapters that had students with disabilities such as needing a wheel chair. It is great to see the other chapter members help these students be involved in something that is so much bigger. The adviser did it because they wanted to and not because they were forced. Having many friends that have physical limitations seeing individuals do things that some would not even attempt due to their limitations is awesome.
The saddest human interaction I saw was at the ag sales team award banquet. One girl realized she got gold which was in her mind the best thing that could ever happen. She teared up and cried because of joy. Some gentleman from another chapter were laughing at her because of how she was acting. But yet they did not know her story and how some individuals lives are not like theirs when it comes to a home life.
I must say though for what little time I had to observe people with just sitting down and watching you really see peoples true sides. You see the good in people but you also see the negative and hurtful side.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Micro-Teaching
The past week I have spent hours observing and interacting with Mrs. Bechtel and her students from Williamsburg High school. The first day was observing and the next three were teaching an Ag Science III class who were learning about white-tailed deer.
From observing, from the first minute I could tell I was going to have some students who had no desire of being there. I am thinking to myself how am I going to get these students engaged and active when they do not even want to be in the class.
Day 1 of Teaching: I did a lesson on aging white-tailed deer by there jawbones. We related it to aging humans other than using their date of birth and talked about how researchers and biologists use this to determine herd health, stability, and genetics. When I first started the lesson this one student in particular was just there. The student sat with the group but was off in another world. I asked the question "What are the front teeth that deer have called?". This student perked up, raised their hand, and was excited to answer. Of course I was going to take all I could with this burst of excitement. The answer given was right and we talked a little more. Getting that student to be excited to answer was a thrill for me. It might have only been for that one particular part but it was a start and being they wanted to answer meant they were paying attention even though it might not of looked like it.
Day 2 of Teaching: This day we learned about scoring antlers. We discussed how just like jawbones, scoring antlers added information to the research and biologists end of things with genetics and heard stability. We also talked about how it was used to set records for trophy kills. The students were able to hands on learn the scoring process which was a site seeing them work in group and determine what counted as points and where to measure the circumference.
Day 3 of Teaching: This lesson was designed a little different by creating the learning through a game and than plotting out data on a graph which helped promote our discussion that talked about how habitats affect populations and what happens when there is a decrease and increase.
Some strong point from my micro teaching were getting students engaged in their own little ways for example the student who was into dental and was on top talking about teeth who normally is just there. I liked my balance of powerpoints and lecture to the hands on learning aspect. I felt my questioning was good because even though I got answer I wanted them to dig deeper so we would add to their answers with more questions.
Some areas of improvement would be making sure I really state and elaborate on the "Why is this important; why do we need to learn this?" for the students to really be able to understand the important behind it. Another one I think would be my speed of talking and maybe some clearer questioning
From observing, from the first minute I could tell I was going to have some students who had no desire of being there. I am thinking to myself how am I going to get these students engaged and active when they do not even want to be in the class.
Day 1 of Teaching: I did a lesson on aging white-tailed deer by there jawbones. We related it to aging humans other than using their date of birth and talked about how researchers and biologists use this to determine herd health, stability, and genetics. When I first started the lesson this one student in particular was just there. The student sat with the group but was off in another world. I asked the question "What are the front teeth that deer have called?". This student perked up, raised their hand, and was excited to answer. Of course I was going to take all I could with this burst of excitement. The answer given was right and we talked a little more. Getting that student to be excited to answer was a thrill for me. It might have only been for that one particular part but it was a start and being they wanted to answer meant they were paying attention even though it might not of looked like it.
Day 2 of Teaching: This day we learned about scoring antlers. We discussed how just like jawbones, scoring antlers added information to the research and biologists end of things with genetics and heard stability. We also talked about how it was used to set records for trophy kills. The students were able to hands on learn the scoring process which was a site seeing them work in group and determine what counted as points and where to measure the circumference.
Day 3 of Teaching: This lesson was designed a little different by creating the learning through a game and than plotting out data on a graph which helped promote our discussion that talked about how habitats affect populations and what happens when there is a decrease and increase.
Some strong point from my micro teaching were getting students engaged in their own little ways for example the student who was into dental and was on top talking about teeth who normally is just there. I liked my balance of powerpoints and lecture to the hands on learning aspect. I felt my questioning was good because even though I got answer I wanted them to dig deeper so we would add to their answers with more questions.
Some areas of improvement would be making sure I really state and elaborate on the "Why is this important; why do we need to learn this?" for the students to really be able to understand the important behind it. Another one I think would be my speed of talking and maybe some clearer questioning
Monday, November 3, 2014
Inquiry based learning
Who would have thought that there was such a thing known as inquiry based learning. Like most things because it has been in your life one way or another you do not always think of the name associated with it.
One main idea from using inquiry based learning is to have the students engaged by:
1. question;
2. investigate;
3. use evidence to describe, explain, and predict;
4. connect evidence to knowledge; and
5. share findings.
Now anyone can read about inquiry based learning but implementing it is a whole other story. Here are siz steps I found to help implement it:
Six Stages of the Inquiry Cycle
1. Inquisition – stating a "what if" or "I
wonder" question to be investigated
2. Acquisition – brainstorming possible
procedures
3. Supposition – identifying an "I think"
statement to test
4. Implementation – designing and carrying
out a plan
5. Summation – collecting evidence and
drawing conclusions
6. Exhibition – sharing and communication
results (Llewellyn, 2002, p. 13-14)
The inquiry cycle is illustrated further in Figure
As we learn about inquiry based learning this week and implement next week I hope these little tips will help me as I learn this sometimes to be difficult skill.
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/
One main idea from using inquiry based learning is to have the students engaged by:
1. question;
2. investigate;
3. use evidence to describe, explain, and predict;
4. connect evidence to knowledge; and
5. share findings.
Now anyone can read about inquiry based learning but implementing it is a whole other story. Here are siz steps I found to help implement it:
Six Stages of the Inquiry Cycle
1. Inquisition – stating a "what if" or "I
wonder" question to be investigated
2. Acquisition – brainstorming possible
procedures
3. Supposition – identifying an "I think"
statement to test
4. Implementation – designing and carrying
out a plan
5. Summation – collecting evidence and
drawing conclusions
6. Exhibition – sharing and communication
results (Llewellyn, 2002, p. 13-14)
The inquiry cycle is illustrated further in Figure
As we learn about inquiry based learning this week and implement next week I hope these little tips will help me as I learn this sometimes to be difficult skill.
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Big Timing in the big city for National Convention 2014
Monday was the beginning of a new experience that at the time I did not know would lead to so much more. I set out on the road with my cooperating center, Manheim Central, to tackle the big city of Louisville Kentucky for the FFA National Convention. They were taking a team of four girls who were representing Pennsylvania as the Ag Sales Team.
The van ride was not calm and quiet by any means. At times you felt you were on a filled bus of students. The girls were playing games, singing songs, and going above and beyond by practicing for the musical and for their event. We went through test questions and scenarios, while we also talked over strategies.
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I was able to take up the opportunity to judge the National Chapter Model Of Innovations Community event. Through judging this event I networked and talked to educators and extension people from other states and found some possible job opportunities that will be coming up.
Thursday was a day of free stuff and gaining those teacher resources to have in my very own classroom. Through all the interacting I gained a suitcase full of resources and even came home with a small gas engine and the whole tool kit to go along with it. My love of talking comes in handy sometimes.
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Friday however was a day filled with excitement, nerves, tears, and a feeling that some just have to experience to understand. The girls were finally going to find out how they did in the team and individual event in the Ag Sales CDE. The girls set a goal to get silver in individuals and silver in team. As they started announcing the medal we made it through the bronze with out getting called which means they met their goal. The one girl ended up making gold and to her it was the best thing. She started crying which made us all tear up in joy and laughter. Overall they had one silver and three gold individuals and the team placed 6th out of around 48 teams. This is the best any team has done that they have sent in any CDE event to nationals.
This week was one of the best opportunities that I could have been apart of. The girls lit up a room and I could not be more proud of them and what they accomplished. I am thankful I got the chance to be apart of this amazing time in their lives.
The van ride was not calm and quiet by any means. At times you felt you were on a filled bus of students. The girls were playing games, singing songs, and going above and beyond by practicing for the musical and for their event. We went through test questions and scenarios, while we also talked over strategies.
I was able to take up the opportunity to judge the National Chapter Model Of Innovations Community event. Through judging this event I networked and talked to educators and extension people from other states and found some possible job opportunities that will be coming up.
Thursday was a day of free stuff and gaining those teacher resources to have in my very own classroom. Through all the interacting I gained a suitcase full of resources and even came home with a small gas engine and the whole tool kit to go along with it. My love of talking comes in handy sometimes.
Friday however was a day filled with excitement, nerves, tears, and a feeling that some just have to experience to understand. The girls were finally going to find out how they did in the team and individual event in the Ag Sales CDE. The girls set a goal to get silver in individuals and silver in team. As they started announcing the medal we made it through the bronze with out getting called which means they met their goal. The one girl ended up making gold and to her it was the best thing. She started crying which made us all tear up in joy and laughter. Overall they had one silver and three gold individuals and the team placed 6th out of around 48 teams. This is the best any team has done that they have sent in any CDE event to nationals.
.jpg) |
| Calling Mrs. Anderson to tell her the amazing news! |
This week was one of the best opportunities that I could have been apart of. The girls lit up a room and I could not be more proud of them and what they accomplished. I am thankful I got the chance to be apart of this amazing time in their lives.
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