Mastering the First Day of School
Investigate the teacher
IMG_4380
Inquiry Activities
16 personalities
Career Research Interviews & Presentations
Minute to Win it Games
Minute to Win It Games
Minute to Win it Games
It's that time of year again!
Here are some free & paid resources you can use on the first day/couple days back to EASE back into the school year with NEW students.
#1 Investigate the Teacher via @writeonwithmissg I used this the first day with my students last semester and LOVED IT! It is an easy way for the students to get to know you WITHOUT just going through a Powerpoint because they go around the room and gather inferences about you based on your classroom. Students get to MOVE on the first day & practice research skills! Find it here!
#2 Back to School Escape Room @nouvelle_ela Two years ago I used this to introduce my classroom rules and syllabus. You can purchase the product and it is 100% editable to fit your classroom. Another awesome way to get the kids up and moving and learning things you HAVE TO teach ANYWAY...but making it more engaging (and less hands on for you, after you get it set up!)
#3 Back to School Stations I did this year and LOVED it, I got the idea from @writeonwithmissg (you can purchase her product, I ended up making my own). I made 8 stations for the students to rotate around the room and complete. Some examples were goal making station, Meet with Mrs. Nerswick station, Student information Google Doc, FFA "post it" question poster, etc. You can make whatever stations fit your needs :)With OLD Students
#4 Inquiry Lab I was part of the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Program a few summers ago (if you haven't done it....DO IT). But, one of the things they made us to is IMMEDIATELY get our of our comfort zone into the world of inquiry. If you are teaching a science class that will require students to think like scientists/researchers etc... you might want to start out the class with some uncomfortable growing to get the kids used to what you expect of them! I tend to do the "does bubblegum can/lose weight as you chew?" but there are TONS of other ideas like "are Oreos "really" double stuffed?" You basically give them the question, they DO THE REST! They create the experiment and do it! I give them a ONE SHEET lab report called a VEE Map. This includes ALL the things you need (materials, steps, results, etc) in an easy to follow sheet. I usually do this on the FIRST or SECOND day!
#5 16 Personalities Ever heard of Myers-Briggs testing? I am a leadership NERD (insert hand up emoji here). There is a free test from 16 personalities that I love doing with my students. EVERY TIME students are like "that is TOTALLY me!" the website is very in-depth in many categories like careers, relationships, things that we like, teamwork etc. Students can gain A LOT of insight about themselves. I have given them a quick worksheet to complete and even once had students do a presentation on their findings using this Google Slides prompt. One of the prompts was to find funny pictures/memes that associate with their personality, below is an example.
#6 Career Research/Interviews I LOVE starting the year off with careers. I can hear you sighing and about to skip to the next idea...but stick with me. Instead of taking a test, or a web quest online. I HAVE STUDENT INTERVIEW a REAL PERSON about their ideal career. YES, they have to actually TALK ON A PHONE (or skype/facetime). I basically provide the contacts (you could do this for just one unit, ex. Animal Science-Find a bunch of people you know (via networking, contacts, social media) get their contact information and provide it to a student (or partners/groups). Then the students take the reins, they contact the person (via email) to set up a phone interview. They make the questions, have an interview, ask for follow-up questions/photos for them to make a presentation to class on their findings. This provides students an opportunity to learn about careers BUT also practice professional correspondence.
#7 Resolutions/Goals There are A TON of resources on Teachers Pay Teachers for New Year resolutions and/or goals worksheets/activities.
#8 Letter to Me in 2023 I was thinking I wanted to do something similar to a resolution/goals activity, but wanted to make it a little different. So, I came up with an idea for the students to write a letter to themselves reflecting on the past year. They get a prompt to write three paragraphs, complete the letter, seal it in an envelope and they will get it back at the end of the school year. I will be doing this in some classes next week :) Here it is.
#9 Podcast I LOVE podcasts! Mainly for my own development and inspiration like the School of Sales by GUIDE Culture and Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher. But, there are SO many good ones out there you can use in your classroom. Maybe the kids ALREADY listen to one. Pick one, or leave it open-ended for the kids to pick their own. Listen to the podcast and provide a reflection component (you could use the worksheet in #10).
#10 Retiring Address/Ted Talk Worksheet I am a sucker for a good retiring address or Ted Talk. I love hearing people's unique perspectives on life. You can get a free Ted Talk worksheet here from Laura Randazzo. I also made a similar one for Retiring Addresses (find it free there) as part of my Emergency Sub Plan documents (6 different ONE PAGE worksheets (printable/electronic) that can be used in ANY UNIT in ANY class)!
#11 BONUS--Leadership Initiatives/Team Building Activities Fun activities are the best activities! I love having some fun activities to get the year or semester started! It's also an EASY way to weave in some teamwork and communication skills! I've done a fair few of these--Here is a quick list of examples...Balloon Tower Building, Spaghetti Tower, Minute to Win it Games, Team marker writing/drawing,team cup stacking, and so many more! Phew, now I just need to choose which one to do on my first day back next week!Hope you find something that give you a day to reset and the kids to get engaged!
FFA Inquiry Unit
There may be a way for your students to understand the WHY of FFA without speaking one fact about it to your students.
ENTER THE FFA INQUIRY UNIT
If you have been following along on instagram I have been chronicling my FFA Unit in my Basic Ag Classes. And A LOT of people wanted in, so here you go….
Link to LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1faiMCpUFkgyD_Zou_Q37bfSEaHU2Akg2XwkidoHYSxA/copy
Link to CSI WORKSHEET: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eDYj1G2sJ_AwhNW3uUby5UC53OoCDOE7_pzDBBPGODk/copy
Here is the LOWDOWN Day-by-Day
DAY 1
Classroom Scene Investigation
Step 1: Record clues (item you found), evidence (what it means)
Virtual Edition: Use www.ffa.org and www.gaaged.org as your “Crime Scenes” * to add more rows, RIGHT CLICK on a row, then CLICK Insert Row Above/Below (fill out the FIRST Table with Clues & Evidence)
In-Person Edition: Let students walk around your room finding clues about FFA (awards, trophies, posters, pictures etc.)
Step 2: You are charged to become the EXPERT (According to the Oxford Dictionary an expert is “a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.”) on FFA. Start with figuring out the 5 W’s and H using any resources you can find (including the ones you used above) FIll out the second table 5 W's & H.
DAY 2
FFA Pitch Project
Now that you have put on your expert hats, I need you to think like the National FFA CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Mark Poeschl. He was just approached by a HUGE company let’s say your favorite company (ex. Apple, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Nike etc.) because WHY NOT! To become a potential sponsor of FFA, but they have NO IDEA what it is. You need to come up with a PITCH about why that company should sponsor National FFA. Make sure you know #allthethings because you are the CEO so you are the EXPERT on this topic.
Virtual Edition: You can assign individually or groups (if you can manage them easily) have them present in class or record on FlipGrid (Fun tip: students can screen share on FlipGrid so you can see their PPT)
In-Person Edition: You can assign individually or groups. Have them present in front of the class. I also have added a day for the groups to practice present to other groups for feedback.
DAY 2 Activities: Pick company
Research FFA & company (you chose) mission/values
Continue to research WHY the company you chose should invest in FFA
-Introduction (find common connections between FFA & your company)
-Main Point 1 (choose a main reason WHY your company should invest in FFA)
-Main Point 2 (another point)
-Close (summarize what you said, and ask for the support)
Day 3 Activities: Start your script (scratch paper) & PowerPoint (Post a Template for your students to edit)
Day 4 Activities: Record & Turn in FlipGrid (screen share your PowerPoint) Grade using rubric (see lesson plan)
Day 5 Activities: Reflection Activity
Virtual Edition-Prompt questions in the chat or make a shareable google doc/word doc for students to put their thoughts-think a virtual gallery walk
In-person Edition-After Pitch Day set up Reflection Stations-6-8 stations (30-40 minutes) (Ex. Meet with Teacher, What was the best part of Pitch Day, What was the worst part of the Pitch Day, What would you/your team do differently next time, What was one thing that really stood out to you about another presentation, What do you feel about FFA now, What questions do you still have about FFA? Write a THANK YOU NOTE to judges)
-Give students 5 minutes per station, have them fill out a reflection document and turn it
Enjoy friend!
Teacher Confidence
I wish I was more confident in the classroom.
Don’t we all?
There is something deep down you know you wish to change. Maybe it’s classroom management Maybe it’s a particular skill you teach Maybe it’s feeling alone Whatever it is, there is a way to level up your teacher confidence!
What is teacher confidence? “teachers confidence in their ability to promote students’ learning” Hoy, 2000.
Here are 4️⃣ ways to level up your confidence this year All quotes from Tschannen-Moran, Woolfolk-Hoy, and Hoy, 1998.
1️⃣ MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ➕ “Feelings of relaxation and positive emotions signal self-assurance and the anticipation of future success”
How do you do it? Reframe your response to a “failure” or “mistake” to say “Good.” Find the good in all things.
2️⃣ FIND ENCOURAGING TEACHER FRIENDS 👯♂️ “Social persuasion can contribute to successful performances”
How do you do it? Make new friends in your school, county, region, state, nation that you can chat/text/DM when you need to talk!
3️⃣ OBSERVE OTHERS 👓 “Watching others teach in skillful and adept ways—can access t the observer’s personal teaching competence”
How do you do it? GET out of your classroom! Knock of the classroom door 🚪 next door and ask to watch for 10 minutes! (Virtually-same thing, email an exceptional teacher in your school to sit in on their lecture!)
4️⃣ BE ADVENTUROUS 🧗🏽♀️ “Mastery or enacting (actually doing it) experiences are the most powerful source of efficacy information”
How do you do it? Try new things, test out a new technique, no a new review activity, create a new attention-getter etc.
So, which of the 4️⃣ are you going to try this year? Let me know⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Want a deeper dive into teacher confidence? Check out the latest episode of the Green & Growing Podcast.
Into the unknown
It feels like this upcoming school year we are walking…
(Cue Elsa)
INTO THE UNKNOWN, INTO THE UNKNOWN, INTO THE UNKNOWN
Ooooo oooo ooo ooo
There may be a way for you to feel more peace this upcoming school year.
Leaning into the unknown creates momentum
And what that means to you is will move forward with confidence
And the real value is you will feel more peace.
I just read an article from an An FBI agent of 25 years who said “If you want to increase safety, you must move toward the challenge.” She said when confronted with the unknown out brain goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Which releases hormones like cortisol which turn on “survival mode”. When you lean into the challenge with calm you reduce your cortisol levels so your brain can focus on prefrontal cortex jobs like planning and decision making.
And being able to move forward is what you want right?
Here is a place to start.
Join the GERMINATE Virtual Conferences this week. Over 850 registered agriculture education teachers, for 30 pre-recorded sessions from current agriculture teachers in the topics of FFA, SAE and Classroom Instruction.
Pouring into your teacher cup now will help you take one confident step into the unknown.
End of year reflection
Want to get better next year?
I'm going to ask you to do something you might not want to do, bear with me.
Ask your students for feedback.
Let them give you feedback on the good and bad of the class. The growth points you have and the gold that you have already uncovered!
Here are 3 ways you can do this!
TOP 5 BOTTOM 5
Top 5 and Bottom 3 list of concepts/knowledge gained by being a part of AgEd class this year. These can include topics discussed in class or learned throughout your participation in FFA or your SAE.
Each of your TOP 5 and Bottom 5 aspects require written documentation. This must include at least a paragraph for each point on your list. You must address why you found value in learning this aspect, and how it will help you in the real world.
Include a visual for each TOP 5 aspect in your written project.
(Can be done in paper form or presentation form)
COURSE REFLECTION
Address the following FOUR questions in at least one paragraph EACH: (1) What did you learn about yourself throughout the semester? (2) If you had it to do over again, what would you change? (3) Consider the course as a whole: What was most beneficial to your development in agriculture? (4) What would you have liked to learn more about? (Can be done in paper form or presentation form) Get a copy of the Top 5 Bottom 5 and Course Reflection document HERE.
Google Form Course Evaluation
There is a template on google forms for a course evaluation. You can tweak it to fit your class/curriculum. Google forms are a great way to collect data and evaluate it. You can check it out here.