A Race to Louisville!!!

525 Mile Expressway to FFA World!

 

FFA National Convention; the LARGEST national YOUTH convention in the United States with over 60,000 attendees!!!  What an experience.

Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to Louisville, Kentucky with six students and the FFA Adviser from Penns Manor High School.  Yet, I had the honor to do just this.  It was a valuable experience and the chance to watch, listen to and observe students and professors from the fifty states and Puerto Rico. 

There was so much activity throughout the week we felt like we were running a marathon, no, more like a triathlon. From touring a top notch Morgan horse farm and hunting zombies at an agrotourism park, to the FFA career fair and Kent State research facilities, Penns Manor students sped through a flourish of learning opportunities. 

As a chaperone and student teacher, I was reminded that I don't have to be GREAT all the time to have a LASTING IMPACT on my student's lives.  For example, one of my students had never left the small town of Clymer, Pa.  Her world has been limited to her house, backyard, and high school.  This trip to National Convention, opened her eyes to some of what the world has to offer. Mr. Hughes, Penns Manor’s FFA adviser, put on his parent hat and acted the role of papa for her and the other students throughout the trip. 

It was also interesting to see and remember how high school students interact with each other.  Being at college for four years, it’s easy to forget what high school was like.  I was impressed to see how well my students got along with each other.  It was very encouraging to see how they helped each other.  Specifically, the same student who never left Clymer, PA was very overwhelmed and got lost very easily.  The other female students took care of her and made sure she got the full experience.  They took her to all the booths at the career fair, they made sure she was awake on time and properly dressed each day. They helped her purchase gifts she wanted for family.  It was pretty cool.  

On the other hand, I was disappointed to witness certain student interactions.  One in particular that sticks out in my mind, was our dinner on the Belle of Louisville. A few students were acting inappropriately during the dance after the meal.  In one aspect, it wasn't surprising for I remember seeing the same issue when I was in high school.  On another aspect, it was disappointing to see the disrespect for women that many men have and to see this mind frame that is cultured at such a young age.  Additionally, it's discouraging that these females disrespect themselves by allowing such behavior.  As a result, Ag teachers alike were called to put on their mamma and papa hats to correct this behavior and teach them what right is.  

Overall, it was enjoyable getting to know a few of the students that I will have in the Spring 2015 for teaching.  I even had the chance to run a few ideas by them for lesson plans.  They seem to be excited for my internship and I certainly am looking forward to working with them in the near future.

Inquiry Based Instruction

Student Inquiry and the Scientific Method

Two weeks ago in my agricultural education classes we talked about utilizing the Problem Solving Approach.  In my Methods of Teaching Agriculture lab I even had the opportunity to practice a lesson plan I wrote to demonstrate how I would utilize the problem solving approach.  

This week, we're looking into the Inquiry Based Instruction.  A method of teaching that is very similar to the Problem Solving Approach yet very different at the same time. 

While students identify the problem in both methods of teaching (i.e. the Problem Solving Approach and the Inquiry Based Instruction), how the question is answered is different.

I will not sit here and tell you how to complete the Inquiry Based Instruction for you can read about it here: What is Inquiry Based Instruction?

But I will tell you a few of my thoughts regarding this method of teaching.

First, I really appreciated the fact that there are multiple levels of teacher involvement for this approach.  As in, there is no one way to implement it.  The main requirement of the IBI, is that students are answering a research question through data analysis.  I personally feel like this opens up the window of opportunity to be creative and flexible in designing a lesson which utilizes the IBI. 

Additionally, this appears to be a great way to encourage students to participate in a research SAE.  Then students could compete in the Agriscience fair.  What a better way to encourage student involvement in the FFA.

These are the main interests that I found while reading about the IBI.  I'm really looking forward to learning more as this is the very type of learning that I thoroughly enjoy and love!