Why Do We Teach Agriculture?
This week had many readings that portrayed various topics. I feel that I can sum it up in a few words:
We do this for the students.
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| https://www.pinterest.com/explore/john-dewey/?lp=true |
Now this may seem like a no brainer when written down in plain sight but in the quickness of each day and the speed that life passes us by, it is easy to push to the back of our mind. We often see teachers pushing CDEs so that they can bring hardware back to the classroom after the competition. Each day becomes mundane and repetitive as autopilot takes over. Does this represent the best way to grow shape and teach our students? No. As agriculture teachers, we have been trained to dive deeper than your typical checklist chaser. We have learned about the benefits of becoming a Dewey Disciple and promoting hands on learning. Never stray from your beliefs! It is easy in any profession to become worn down but if we forget who we are then not only do we suffer, but so do our students.
Keeping in mind that our students growth is extremely rewarding, we need to take steps to give them a voice. Prepare them for success with effective questioning. Give students a voice and let them run with their interests to find their passion. It is essential to be the guide on the side and assist in goal reaching for students. Student-centered classrooms can provide a chance for ownership and exploration! Be the type of teacher that you would like to have.
This week I found the following video that talks about essential questioning of your students! Check it out!
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References:
Cornell University Center for Teaching Excellence. (2015). Using Effective Questions. Retrieved from http://www.cte.cornell.edu/teaching-ideas/engaging-students/using-effective-questions.html
Dyer, J.E. (n.d.) Effective Questioning Techniques.
Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC08400.pdf
Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC08400.pdf
Jan, K. V. (2011, October 24). Pursue Passion: Demand Google 20%
Time at School. Retrieved September 21, 2017, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-von-jan/unstructured-classroom_b_1024404.html
Maiers, A. (2011, August 05). Retrieved September 21, 2017, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FHdHUzRnms
National FFA LifeKnowledge. (n.d.) Coaching Session Quick Reference Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ffa.org/myresourcedocuments/coachingguide/Basics_of_Coaching/coaching_Guide/Lesson02/pdf/Individual-Coaching-Session-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf
. Retrieved from https://www.ffa.org/myresourcedocuments/coachingguide/Basics_of_Coaching/coaching_Guide/Lesson02/pdf/Individual-Coaching-Session-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf
Simonds, K. (2015, February 09). I'm 17. Retrieved September 21,
2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OkOQhXhsIE
T. (2013, January 10). Tweak your Teach: Dr. Tae’s Building a
New Culture of Teaching and Learning. Retrieved September 21, 2017, from
https://tweakyourslides.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/tweak-your-teach-dr-taes-building-a-new-culture-of-teaching-and-learning/
I think you did a great job at making it clear that we do this for students.
ReplyDeleteAngie, it is great that you are realizing the importance of keeping things student centered so early on in your Ag teaching journey. What are some ideas that you have for helping you to keep this perspective as you progress, and what are some techniques that others have used to successfully do the same thing? Thanks for remembering to incorporate the importance of effective questioning in helping students to find and maintain their voice.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important to take a step back once a month and remember why we teach. This can be individually planned personal development where you watch an inspiring TedTalk or pull out your teaching philosophy and read it over.
DeleteAngie, great post. As we look to our future classrooms and making sure that our teaching is student-centered and for the students, it is so important to remember student voice and choice in our classrooms/FFA. We have to make sure students know that they matter!
ReplyDeleteI like the video..makes me wonder how many schools will go to videos like this for professional development in the future, but I wonder when some small rural schools will have access.
ReplyDeleteI liked the "think time" the teacher used.
A fear for teachers with these videos is that they see "elementary" students, so they say...not my age group; as opposed to thinking what concepts could be adapted to the secondary level.
I agree with that about the elementary students. I find it funny that many videos out there about methods are staged in elementary classes when I can tell that they would work well with high schoolers. I think that these methods are utilized but no one is compelling the evidence.
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