Problem Solving

Well finally things seem to be looking up!

I came into today's lab with 2 objectives:
-Smile: be excited
-Answer and ask lots of questions

For once I really think that happened!

The lesson I presented today was an introduction to the final project in my animal science II class.  The project is to develop a farm business plan.  The students are going to be presented with the project at the beginning of the semester.  They will asked to choose the species they want to do their project on, and then I asked them to list "factors" they used to make their decision on a notecard.

I have definitely realized I hate "quite",  I really need to work on allowing students time to complete their bellwork.  I always want to jump into the lesson before I allow students sufficient time to complete the bellwork.

I gave myself a huge pep-talk before I walked out the door this morning! "I will be excited, I will be happy, I will smile!!"  Well overall I think it worked, my evaluations all stated that I had improved enthusiasm!  However, it was mentioned if it was genuine or forced... But heck, I will take it either way its an improvement!!

The second objective I made for myself was to ask more questions, in addition I wanted to make sure I was answering all questions.  I made sure to check for questions and answer all of them.  I can see that I still need to work on developing my questions.  I know what I want the students to say however, I think I need to phrase them differently.  Thus, my next objective is to work on scripting better questions!

Overall, I was happy with my performance today!  Finally a lab that made me say I think I am going to be ok and make it through this.  I really feel like I am making progress. 

Demonstration Lab

 "How to replace a float"





 For my demonstration lab, I choose to demonstrate how to replace a carburetor float.  My bellwork for this lab was to project a picture of a rusty log splitter sitting outside.  I ask students to identify one thing that stood out to them when they first looked at the picture and to identify two possible problems with this engine.

This is a lesson that I will be using in my advanced single-cylinder class.  I transitioned from my bellwork into my interest approach.  My interest approach was to read off a scenario, from a customer regarding their engine.  The students were given a job sheet with the scenario typed into it.  I used the job sheet for the small gasoline engines CDE.  The students were then given a brief period to develop a thought regarding what was wrong with the engine.

I spent a lot of time preparing and practicing this lab.  I was very happy with that I didn't forgot any parts of my lesson.  However I did fail to advance my slides to display my objectives prior to giving the demonstration.

I seem to be lacking enthusiasm and energy during my teaching.  I am really struggling with this is lab, the only reason I can come up with is that I am being recorded.  I was really worried that I had an issue until fall leadership.  At fall leadership conference, I felt like a different person I was excited and happy.  I would love some input on how to pep-up my labs!!  I want to be a dynamic educator and I want students to be excited about my class.

I really felt confident going into this lab.  I realize that I shut down a lot of students questions.  I found myself afraid to start answering questions due to time.  I was nervous I was going to run out of time if I started down that path.