I began the week by continuing my soil and water conservation unit with my Introduction to Agriculture class. On Monday we began by going over the worksheet that was provided for the students to complete on Friday with the substitute. The students were then given paper to complete a drawing of the Water cycle using all of the definitions we had just went over. The students responded well to the activity, and were really able to display their understanding of the water cycle. I finished the class by having the students review all the things we use water for. Everyone wrote this down and then were assigned homework to keep track of each time they used water throughout the next 24 hours. My SAE/FFA class was given time to work on National FFA Week activities.
Tuesday was spent going over water consumption with Introduction to Agriculture, where we were able to come up with a class average on water consumption. We then talked about all of the hidden water that is consumed in the production of our food and clothing. It was an eye opener to the students to see how much water is actually used in just one days time! The SAE/FFA class worked to finalize FFA Week activities, get the final approval, and present everything to the class. Overall, it was a good day!
Wednesday: the day of my first observation from my University Supervisor, Dr. Foster! I was prepared to conduct a lab with my first period class, an activity with my SAE/FFA class, and planning to take over both sections of Horticulture by introducing myself and getting to know the students. First period went well, the students responded well to the pollution lab that I had planned for them, and I wrapped up in time to bring them back and tie everything up before the bell rang. Third period brought on my SAE/FFA class, and they enjoyed the activity that they had to learn the four styles of leadership. They finished in time to take a few minutes to work on details for FFA Week. Forth period was my first section of Horticulture. The students took longer to finish their exam from the previous day than we anticipated, so I was rushed to get through just the very beginning of my introduction. Overall, I was rushed and the students knew it. I planned to go over the information on Thursday to make sure that I really got my classroom expectations and procedures through so that they understood. We then moved into the Ag Mechanics I class fifth period. I am just helping out with this class at this point, and the students are working on a welding project. It wasn't until about half way through the period that things got interesting. A few of the boys in the class decided that instead of walking to the other side of the shop to cool their metal, they would simply open the shop door and dip their metal in the snow: not a big deal! That is until they noticed the smoke that was reaching into the sky from the other side of the school! They called Mr. Steinfelt over (who is a volunteer firefighter) and showed him, and they all proceeded to turn on their scanners. It wasn't long before everyone knew that there was a house fire on First Street in Athens. Within minutes, the phone rang in the shop, and Mr. Steinfelt answered it. After he got off the phone, he came and informed Dr. Foster and me that he may have to leave. It took a few seconds before I realized he was serious! There are a few teachers in the building who are released from their positions whenever an emergency needs to be handled. As Mr. Steinfelt waited for the sub to get their to release him, he went over the plans for the rest of the day. I was not allowed to take kids in the shop for 6th period, but that he hoped to be back for 9th period. Needless to say, the day got more interesting then I had anticipated! It all worked out, and the remainder of the day went about as good as can be expected in the given situation! Overall, I was pleased with the day! I finished my plans for the following day, and left to head home at a decent time. I was sure that we were going to have school on Thursday, so I left some of my binders at school.
Thursday. We were supposed to get a few inches of snow, nothing too bad, and nothing too early in the morning. I figured we would have a 2 hour early dismissal. I was wrong. A few inches turned into over 8 inches that accumulated on top of the 12 inches we still had laying around. I woke up to the information that we were indeed closed, so I had a whole day to get work done!
Friday was spent in State College for a Student Teacher Seminar. There was a great variety of information covered and provided throughout the course of the day. I was able to vamp up my resume and further understand what to put in and what to leave out of a cover letter. I also learned a lot about what to consider before walking into a job interview! Overall I really enjoyed being able to catch up with the other student teachers and talk through successes and challenges that we have been facing. Athens had a snow day, so I didn't miss a day of instruction
This weekend Athens FFA traveled to ACES with 37 students! It was definitely a whole new experience to attend a conference that I attended as a high school student as a chaperone! I had experience with this feeling during National Convention, however, this time, I had developed rapport with students in the classroom, so I felt more like their teacher than I did at National Convention. We were able to keep track of all 37 students with no problems, and they all had a great time! I also learned a lot of valuable information about the AET system in the teacher workshop.
As a student teacher, I was drafted to help with the courtesy corp duty on Saturday night. The highlight of this experience was undoubtedly a hotel staff member telling Jessie Ross (another student teacher) and I that it was past curfew and we needed to get back to our room. It took a few moments for it to sink in that he actually thought we were students! In that moment, it really sunk in that I am not a student anymore!
Overall, it was a very eventful week, and I learned a lot! I am excited to get back in the classroom with my students on Wednesday! We will see if the students still know what school is after having a whole week off! I will pick up the Horticulture classes by beginning the Plant Propagation unit of instruction. My FFA/SAE class will be conducting the FFA Week activities, and my Introduction to Ag class will more forward with conservation! It should be a great week! I mean, it is National FFA Week, it is sure to be AWESOME!!!!
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