Connecting Convention to the Classroom
This past week, I had the privilege of talking to a number of different teachers from different states. I spoke to teachers from Iowa, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. I learned that most of the teachers do a lot of similar things for taking care of their students back at school during National Convention. They all explained that it depends on the sub. Some subs can be great and have a general idea of what is going on can successfully do lessons. Other subs cannot relate to the content and are almost hopeless when it comes to teaching Ag content. In situations of poor subs, then teachers will give students a lot of content knowledge from videos and they will be responsible for specific notes/vocabulary words learned from the lessons. Ms. Metrick gives students a packet for each day with the information that their students will learn from the resources. They then have to fill in vocabulary words throughout the week for a quiz on Friday. Other teachers such as Mr. Smith from Iowa brings in another ag certified teacher in the school to help sub his classes.
A common trend between all schools is that students are required to make up work in non-ag classes work. For the classes that are ag, students are excused but they have to give a presentation to each of the classes to explain the importance of the trip. Ms. Metrick says that she has the students give these presentations to try and motivate her students to be more active in the FFA. For her, only active FFA members are allowed to come on the trip. So she has the students show the "reward" of being an active FFA member.
During convention, some teachers have their students compete and do tours that the students are interested in like Mr. Letot. Especially in the expo hall, try to focus students on visiting with companies that they can directly relate with.
A common trend between all schools is that students are required to make up work in non-ag classes work. For the classes that are ag, students are excused but they have to give a presentation to each of the classes to explain the importance of the trip. Ms. Metrick says that she has the students give these presentations to try and motivate her students to be more active in the FFA. For her, only active FFA members are allowed to come on the trip. So she has the students show the "reward" of being an active FFA member.
During convention, some teachers have their students compete and do tours that the students are interested in like Mr. Letot. Especially in the expo hall, try to focus students on visiting with companies that they can directly relate with.
Do the teachers provide time during convention one night to allow students to make up that work? I know we came back to the hotels early 1 night with the expectation that homework would get done! Just something to think about when we are taking their time from other classes of a way to give it back.
ReplyDeleteBrandon, it is great to hear that you learned so much about sub plans and student accountability from your conversations with the teachers you met at convention. What do you think will be your greatest challenge in creating meaningful learning experiences related to convention?
ReplyDelete