Wonder Week
I wonder how I can implement inquiry into my classroom?I wonder what units I should make more student-centered learning?I wonder if inquiry-based learning is hard to teach?If you have asked those questions, I hear you. I took worry about straying away from what I know and into the unknown.But, if I could tell you that trying out inquiry-based learning could save you time lesson planning, encourage student ownership over learning and hit multiple teacher evaluation standards in one lesson, that's something you would be interested in, isn't it!Well, after talking about wonder week a lot on instagram I decided to make my thoughts more permanent than a 24-hour instastory.So, here you go! Below is the IGTV all about wonder week!Also, here is a link to my WONDER WEEK information sheet.I learned everything about Wonder Week from John Spencer, you can download some free lesson ideas about Wonder Week from him at this link.So, what are you waiting for?https://www.instagram.com/tv/B4GuTKTF0Y9/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Germinate Virtual Conference: Winter Edition
After a VERY SUCCESSFUL GERMINATE Summer CONFERENCE with...Over 200 attendees, watched 20 sessions from 15 ag teachers from 10 different states!We are BACK for MORE!The next GERMINATE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE will beJANUARY 1-5, 202030 sessions, 26 speakers from 17 different states!Registration OPENS November 1!---WHY GERMINATE?I've sat through countless professional development sessions (haven't we all)?!I've presented countless professional development sessions, some good, some lackluster.I've sat through countless professional development days where I felt like NOTHING actually related to my classroom, my students, my pathway.So, I decided WE, the agriculture teachers ACROSS the nation needed something for US.I have been LUCKY to go to NAAE and National FFA Convention and learn from AMAZING agriculture teachers from other states. But, some school systems will not allow their teachers to attend conferences like that. How are they getting served? Are they sitting in PD sessions that don't relate?So why not invite the BEST of the BEST to create sessions for EMERGING agriculture teachers in the stuff we actually want to know about.....FFA, SAE and CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION!Thus, GERMINATE was born the summer of 2019!This virtual conference will be hosted ONLINE, with recorded sessions all with a TAKEAWAY (worksheet, PPT, lesson plan etc.) from some of the best ag teachers from Alaska to the U.S Virgin Islands and Maine to Hawaii and EVERYWHERE in between!Are you as excited as I am?Have questions? Contact me here!
Great minds can't think alike
I don’t remember the first time I heard the statement “great minds think alike”I’ve used it often. Usually when someone thinks of something I was thinking of and we are on the same wavelength about usually a menial task. But, when I step back and actually think about the innovators of the world, they don’t think alike. They don’t think like the mainstream. They don’t think average thoughts. They don’t settle with the day in and day out. They don’t think alike.Seriously, who are those people who you think of as innovators? Some synonyms for innovators are pioneer, trailblazer, spearhead, creator. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Oprah, Rachel Hollis, Dave Ramsey, Beyonce, and so many more. These are not people who think alike. They don’t think mainstream. They are trailblazers in their industry. Guess what?I think you are too. You are an innovator, you aren’t constrained to the mainstream. You have a great mind, and it’s ok to not think alike.
Germinate 2020 Winter
It is time for round two of GERMINATEOver 200 attendees watched hours of professional develop made FOR Ag Teachers, BY Ag Teachers.After compiling all the surveys, you all wanted MORE! More virtual PD!So, it's coming atcha.JANUARY 1-5, 2020!And we need you!YES, YOU!To apply to be a speaker.Any topic. Seriously, what's your genius zone in the AgEd world. Is it classroom management, is it crushing plant sales, is it knowing every tree in North America, is it being a fantastic public speaking coach? Take your zone of genius and teach others!All speakers get FREE all-access admission to the GERMINATE conference and a chance to earn money with affiliate links!Applications CLOSE September 19, 2019. Get them in quick to reserve your topic!
How to use Canva!
Hey Teachers!I have a goodie for you today! I am a self proclaimed Instagram-a-holic! I started dabbling in Instagram at my first school and Ag Teacher How Tos has grown so much I had a share my favorite app to go along with ALL THE THINGS! I have gone through MANY apps to make lots of different things in Instagram, and right now I have a personal favorite....CANVA!
Canva is an "amazingly simple graphic design software" that "makes design simple for everyone" according to their website. And let me tell you it does mean EVERYONE!Canva can be used on the computer OR in an app on your phone. When I am making graphics for Instagram like my "what's happening this week" 
post, I tend to use the computer simply because I have a larger work space. But, I have done it in the app. The app is great for quick announcements like what you see below..
I seriously love CANVA because it makes my life a whole ton easier to share information with my students. It also has A TON of templates that you can use. No need to reinvent the wheel with Canva, you can just use a free template (you can purchase some too) and edit with you information. I have done that with the ones below...
Ok, so here is how you use it...set up an account for yourself and it will save all of your information and designs in the canva "cloud". Then decide what you would like to do...If using for Instagram, choose the Social Media post. The size is already configured to fit your picture for Instagram.
Now you have a blank canva(s), get it! If you would like to choose a template, scroll on the left sidebar and select the one you would like. If you want to let your creativity flow, start adding TEXT, IMAGES, ELEMENTS, or UPLOAD pictures/images you already have to your post.
The best way to learn Canva is to play around with it. Also, one of the best things I've done is let my students play around with it and they have come up with some creative things! I have also used some of the other templates in canva to create some awesome flyers, banners, invitations, business cards and more. Just scroll through the pre-sized canva designs to fit your needs.If you are like me, anything that makes my life a little bit simpler is welcomed with open arms. I hope Canva can be welcomed into your FFA social media life soon!Let me know if you have any questions or would like to me explain anything else in more detail. I am always open for suggestions!Happy Teaching!