After bell-work I had all students close their eyes as I explained a scenario that they were told to imagine. It is similar to as follows: "You watched some of the school's wrestling matches this season and you thought that joining the team would look like a bunch of fun! Coach tells you that you need to gain some weight by next season. You'd better start working on that now! So I brought a snack. Open your eyes!" While their eyes were closed I took a leaf (or flake as some people prefer to call it) of hay and placed it on the front table. I then stood and looked at them as I waited for reactions.
Here is what they said:
- "Sorry Ms. Becker, but I am NOT eating that."
- "Can we at least have some milk to make it easier to eat?"
- "Ew. I don't want to eat that."
- "Nope. No way."
These were the reactions that I was expecting. So I then guided the students into another direction by asking. "Besides it not tasting good, why else wouldn't it be good to eat in this scenario? Would it help us gain weight?"
I feel that this interest approach went well, what followed after could have been stronger. I was trying to lecture/discuss some content with students in order to get them into a hands-on dissection. This might have actually been better if I had more than ten minutes so that I could see the class play out but all-in-all it was successful. Remember, there is always room for improvement!
I feel that this interest approach went well, what followed after could have been stronger. I was trying to lecture/discuss some content with students in order to get them into a hands-on dissection. This might have actually been better if I had more than ten minutes so that I could see the class play out but all-in-all it was successful. Remember, there is always room for improvement!
Angie, I LOVED your interest approach and thought it was a super creative way to get your students into what they were about to learn. Time management and figuring out what strategies to use to best suit the amount of time you have are things you will have more opportunities to work on improving throughout the semester. Thanks for including the student feedback to your interest approach!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm sure that I'll figure out the timing thing as I move along.
DeleteAngie, I really enjoyed your interest approach and the curiosity you sparked in all of us when you told us to close our eyes. It created suspense, anticipation, and surprise that students LOVE. Great job Angie.
ReplyDeleteThank you Allyson! I'm so glad that you found it interesting!
DeleteI thought your interest approach was creative and made us want to know more! I do think it would have been neat if after we made those reactions and you began to delve deeper into things like fiber/etc., you passed around the hay for us to feel it. Looking forward to being a student in your next lab! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose, I think thats a really great idea. I'll have to add that into my lesson plan.
DeleteI thought that your interest approach was great!! I would be careful to catch the students that are all in for eating the hay. And I would think that adding time to quickly explain the difference between straw and hay for the students that may be wondering would be good. This will keep their focus with you instead of trying to understand or think of the difference on their own.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Allyson said 100%! Student's cling to that suspense and surprise of learning! You did a fantastic job at that! But I also think you could of really put some icing on the cake if you would of gave the students the hay to manipulate and feel. There are students who probably had never seen hay before, and maybe never will have again. As ag teacher's, we are responsible with providing them with the best and most hands-on experiences possible!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of "Realia" or real objects to capture students interest :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dr. Foster. I was very worried that if I handed the hay out then someone would have the urge to eat it. I didn't know if I had it in me to handle that on that day!
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