Finding My Stride
This week was another rollercoaster with early dismissals, cancelations, and a bad shop incident. Despite all of these events, I really feel that I have started to find my stride. I was able to teach the classes I currently have for than just one day this week which allowed me to make clear connections between the content topics while also doing fun, interactive activities! My proudest moment from this week was getting to see my Ag Mechanics 1 students put their skills to the test by setting up and shutting down the oxyfuel equipment properly!
Adapting at the Last Minute
On Friday, we experienced a scary accident in the shop area. Brake fumes from the tractor restoration project caught a trash can on fire and caused minor burns on Mr. Webreck. Fortunately, no students were harmed and the trash can was the only piece of equipment in the shop that got ruined. Due to the incident, Mr. Webreck had to go to med express which left me to handle fifth and sixth period by myself. Fortunately Mr. Webreck is okay with sustaining only minor burns.
Advice Needed!
- I have a large class of 27 freshmen for Ag Science 1. Every time I try to do something that is different from a PowerPoint and a guided note sheet they lose control of themselves. I want to continue to add variety to my class but it feels like it takes forever to even setup the activity to where everyone is on the same page and following directions in order for the activity to have learning value. How would you handle this situation?
I think that it really comes down to clarity of instruction/giving details. Perhaps this is a great class to use for an Edthena Video review!
ReplyDeleteOlivia, don't give up on the variations in your lessons, this gives the perfect opportunity for you to teacher/model for/guide these younger students on how to behave/handle themselves when given more involved activities. Make sure directions are visible everywhere, make sure you verbally go over directions in detail before "turning loose", squelch off-task behavior promptly, swiftly, and with confidence.
ReplyDeleteOlivia! I meant to post this a while ago but it wasn't letting me submit!! Few things: definitely use that shop incident as a learning experience for not only you but for your students. Even your future students. In my short time teaching, it makes a world of a difference when you can tell students "Don't do this because a student tried it last semester and x happened" rather than "don't do this because you COULD get hurt". They listen more so take that rough experience as a positive one!
ReplyDeleteA suggestion I have first is to work with your cooperating teacher on how you can pull students aside to talk to them or call their parents home. It's something I'm still working on myself. If you have to, again talk with Mr. Webreck first on how to approach it, but you may need to write a referral or take further discipline like remove them from a lab or something.
As I'm learning, Positive reinforcement can be good, but you don't want to dangle rewards over their head just to get them to do what you want them to do. But sometimes just giving them 5 min of "chill time" if they've earned it or letting them pick their seat by the end of the week might be enough encouragement throughout the week to perform appropriately.
Another idea is making your lessons competitive in some way. This is not my own original idea, but I do a lab where they get 2 question cards for their group. After I've gone over the directions and told them to start, they are only allowed to ask 2 questions during the entire lab. This kind of encourages them to focus more on my directions and they get really into it when they are about to ask me a question and they realize they might use their cards up. It also encourages them to utilize their resources (other students, books, computer, etc.).
Just some of my thoughts. Good luck!