Get your students to listen, no matter what.

You are sitting in your classroom, the kids have a group work task to do and you hear the most beautiful sound in a teachers world…collaborative collaboration. You look up and see that each and every student is on task and making progress with their team.

That sounds like what you are looking for right?

But, if we are being honest with ourselves…it might sound too much like a dream.

What if I told you there is a way to get your students to listen, no matter what.

And our creative director Laura Crosby has the answer.

Check out this video to find out how you can live the dream.

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!

How to Schedule & Complete SAE Visits

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are personalized learning. And that means meeting with student individually over a period of time to check in.

Now, way back in 2009 went of my first set of SAE visits. And it looked like…

Visiting a kids home and their show pigs

Visiting a kids home and their show heifer

Visiting a kids home and their show goats

And that continued throughout the year and sprinkling in some county and state fairs.

And I’m going to be honest, I don’t remember visiting a non livestock SAE or even checking in with the students in class.

And that’s embarrassing !

Because I didn’t harness the goodness of SAE for EVERY student in my class. 

And we don’t want you to fall into that trap either. So we have compiled a list of resources to help you walk into the 2023-24 school year with a plan to prioritize SAE visits! 

BRAND NEW  

SAE Starter Pack

Get access to 5 of the BEST Germinate Sessions on SAEs. These sessions can help you manage the whole program of SAE from teaching about it in the classroom, observing SAEs and even mastering Proficency Awards. Grab yours for $29 today! 

Podcast #160

SAE Visits with Laura Crosby

Laura our creative director here at G&G has her summer schedule on LOCK with SAE visits. Listen to her podcast on how you can maximize 1-on-1 SAE visits in the summer.

Ag Teacher How Tos Week Training 

How to personalize instruction for every student and manage it well

If you missed it we had a BLAST changing the narrative you might have been taught to think about SAEs in June at ATHT week. You can watch the training here (and watch the other 4 free trainings too)!

Blog Post 

One way to present SAEs

Looking to spice up the way students present SAEs in your classroom? Check out this blog post and download resources to use in your classroom when you start the school year back up!

Podcast #141

SAE Folders with Jacklyn Bond

If there is one resource that helped me keep an eye on every students SAE consistently (every week!) it was learning about SAE Folders from Jacklyn Bond. Listen to the podcast to see what it’s all about. And if you want her resources to get started her full session and takeaways can be found on the SAE starter pack.

Whatever you decide is the best resource for your students and your classroom, take some action today! The time you take making decisions now will save your brain and time later!

How to Manage SAE for every student

Supervised Agricultural Experiences are a part of the three-circle model for Agriculture Education. Meaning, they are really important!

Sometimes I think about my time learning what an SAE was (spoiler alert: I was an uber confused college aged student when I learned what agriculture education was). It seemed like a really cool concept, that every student got to dive deeply into a content area of their choosing in order to gain vital skills for that career path.

But, the question that came up was…”How the heck do I manage all of these projects?”

And if you have every thought the same thing, just know we are in the same boat.

Having a personalized project for every student, that takes place outside of school hours in a range of agriculture areas that you probably aren’t specialized in can seem unsurmountable.

But, never fear there is a way for you to manage individual projects with ease and excitement!

If you are more of a listener of content, check out the podcast episode that dives deep into this right here.

Here are three ways to get kids excited about SAEs, manage them well and organize it all!

1. Find their fun

   Take a step back from proficencies for a minute. And realize NOT EVERY STUDENT’S SAE is not going to be a proficiency award. We know that every student has an SAE, but not every SAE is a proficency award level.

   And just ask yourself, “Is this student engaging in activities that step toward the mission on agriculture education?” And you may be saying this is controversial because this might mean that you allow students SAEs to be outside of the “agriculture” realm. Maybe it is babysitting, maybe it is working at a restaurant, maybe it is interning at an office.

   Will all of those activities allow students to engage in premier leadership, personal growth and career success? HECK YES they will. Because let’s be honest: Is the purpose of an educator to get an award. Is the purpose of the student to get on stage? NO! The purpose is to grow and develop. Time to step back and lean into our students fun and MEET THEM THERE!

2. Stay connected

   100 kids SAE visits, 1 a day, that is HALF a year. I find that PRETTY impossible with the other requirements as an ag teacher. And I get it, some SAEs need the observation (like But there is a way for you to stay connected with every single students SAE on a consistent basis.

   And it is as easy as having more converstations with them throughout the year.

   Think about SAE management as a unit. You wouldn’t assume a student understand the entire photosynthesis process in one class period. We cannot assume the same with SAEs. We cannot teach them once about SAE and then have them present at the end of the year/semester. Have you ever been the victim of doing a beginning of the year SAE unit, saying “you have 20 hours to complete by the end of the semster” and then the end of the semester rolls around and kids are looking at you like you have 7 heads when you say “SAE”?? Yeah, me too!

   There needs to be check points throughout the year that you check in on them. See what is going how, how are they progressing, are they doing some amazing things that warrant a proficency? You won’t know if you don’t ASK THE QUESTIONS. One way to do this is to have a monthly teacher conference with each student. This can be as simple as a few minute conversation. Asking questions like “How is your SAE going?” “What has been going well?” “What hasn’t been working well?” “What can I do to help you ?” Make sure you are doing a consistent schedule because consistency in our communication provides clarity to the students.

   If you are thinking “I don’t have the time to do that?” Ask yourself “would I rather have the fight at the end of the semester every year? Be forced to fail students because I didn’t give them enough support?”

3. Stay organized

   Have you ever heard the quote “systems create freedom?” SAEs need systems so you and your students know what is happening and what to expect next. One thing that I cannot get out of my mind is SAE Folders from Jacklyn Bond (you can grab this session SOON in a Starter Pack). This is a simple folder where students add data about their SAE records in the AET. You can choose what is important (ex. Pictures, Hours, Money earned etc.). This allowed me to see exactly where every student was at WEEKLY, see where students were confused, and able to have a quick conversation with them every week.

I hope this can help you reframe your thoughts from “SAEs are just one more thing on my to-do list” to “SAEs are a major highlight of my career and turns students into passionate adults.”

Ag Teachers summer schedule: Rest, reflect and ready!

Welcome to summer ☀️ agriculture teachers!

This is your season of growth, renewal, and opportunity!

As the school year draws to a close, it's time to shift gears, recharge, and prepare for the exciting journey ahead. Let’s explore three essential aspects for you to lean into this summer: rest, reflect, and get ready.

By embracing these elements, you can find the motivation and inspiration necessary to continue nurturing young minds and cultivating a thriving agricultural education community.

1. Rest: Replenish Your Energy and Passion

After a demanding academic year, it's vital to prioritize self-care and recharge your batteries. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Embrace the beauty of this summer by taking time for yourself. Whether it's lounging in a hammock, exploring nature, or engaging in hobbies you love, allow yourself to unwind and rejuvenate.

Rest is not just about physical relaxation; it's about rekindling your passion. Take a step back from the daily routine, immerse yourself in the simplicity of nature, and reconnect with the core reasons why you chose this noble profession. Let the tranquility of the outdoors remind you of the profound impact you have on your students' lives and the significance of the work you do.

2. Reflect: Grow Through Introspection

As an agriculture teacher, reflection is a powerful tool for growth and improvement. Use this summer as an opportunity to reflect on your teaching practices, your successes, and areas that may need refinement. Consider the lessons learned from the past year, both in the classroom and beyond, and how they can shape your future endeavors.

Engage in introspective practices such as journaling, meditation, or simply sitting in quiet contemplation. By reflecting on your experiences, you can gain valuable insights, discover innovative teaching methods, and set new goals for the upcoming year. Remember, growth is a continuous journey, and taking the time to reflect will help you evolve as an educator and mentor.

3. Get Ready: Harness the Power of Professional Development

Preparing for the next academic year begins with investing in your professional development. Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge, network with fellow educators, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in agricultural education. GreenandGrowingEdu.com offers a wide range of resources and workshops designed specifically for agriculture teachers like you.

Enroll in online courses, attend conferences, or participate in workshops to sharpen your skills, learn innovative teaching strategies, and discover fresh perspectives. Collaborate with other educators, share experiences, and foster a supportive community that will empower you throughout the year. By investing in your professional development, you'll emerge from the summer break equipped with new tools and ideas to inspire your students and enhance their learning experience.

As an agriculture teacher, your dedication and passion are the driving forces behind the success of your students and the growth of your community. This summer, prioritize rest, reflect on your journey, and get ready to embark on another transformative year in the classroom. By embracing these three essential elements, you'll find the motivation, inspiration, and renewed energy to continue making a positive impact and shaping the future of agriculture.

Remember, this is your time to rejuvenate, learn, and grow. Embrace the summer's embrace the summer's opportunities, and lean into rest, reflection, and readiness. Your journey awaits!