Fall 2021 Week 5 Investment

Week 5 Investment 

3 Connections to my Student Teaching

1.

One quote from the reading I found particularly thought provoking was by Anna Ball as follows..."I am a teacher at heart and there are moments in the classroom when I can hardly hold the joy…teaching is the finest work I know…But at other moments, the classroom is so lifeless, or painful, or confused…that my claim to be a teacher seems a transparent sham". This quote really struck me because I feel it embodies big aspects of what teaching is all about. It's not everyday that I will get through to my students, or make an impactful impression. It's not everyday that I will spark new interests or passions. However, its not everyday I will have rough days. Considering the highs and the lows of teaching is specially important when entering my student teaching experience because it gives me a better sense of what my experience will actually be like.

2. 

Another aspect of this week's reading I found to connect to my student teaching was the section named A Survival Memo for New Agricultural Teachers. This memo was basically a bunch of different recommendations for survival in education. With specific tips and advice such as stressing the importance of partnerships or professional growth, this memo felt very helpful. Additionally, a part I want to connect directly with my student teaching is the Give Teaching a Chance section. This section spoke largely about how being an Ag educator is really tough business but untimely the good days outweigh the bad; which is something to think about entering my internship. 

3. 

Finally, Something I found in this week's reading that I want to connect to my classroom is from the Group Teaching Techniques chapter we read concerning discussions. I think discussions are a really powerful yet underutilized technique in the classroom. When used effectively, discussion based learning sessions allow students to speak, problem solve, and communicate with each other all while better understanding the criterion. This is definitely something I want to incorporate into my student teaching so I'm glad it was included in this reading.

2 Connections other #TeachAg Courses

2. 

When reading the section of the reading that talked about scope and sequence I couldn't help but be reminded of my AEE 100 microteaching experience. This experience went as unwell as expected given it was one of my first formal teaching experiences. My biggest mistake was too large of scope which ultimately lead my classmates to become confused and unable to complete the task. As miserable as it was, it was a great learning moment for me!

1.

Relating to all of our Ag classes, the section that spoke of using Instructional Media in Teaching reminded me of our cohort twitters and blogs. These digital platforms have enhanced our learning by allowing us to reflect on course material and our development as future teachers. 

1 Triangulated Connection

1. I know I've been stressing about getting my lesson plans done in a way I liked. I thought I would share a resource I have been using in a couple of my lessons. I've been using materials from PBS LearningMedia. While they don't have an Ag section, they do have a broad science category that includes ecology, genetics, and evolution among other things. The videos are pretty short but still engaging!

https://wpsu.pbslearningmedia.org/