Inquiring Minds Want to Know

The past couple weeks we have jumped into one of the toughest teaching strategies, Inquiry Based Instruction. We were able to work with experts in the field and watch first hand as they used IBI to teach their classes. While watching from the sidelines it was hard to see and appreciate the magic that was happening inside the minds of the students. After having Mr. Clark come back to our classroom later in the week and answer questions and go into more depth on the subject, it all became a little more clear.

After watching and learning we were tasked to try it out for ourselves for lab. Everyone was confused and frustrated, but I guess that's how you know its working! I did my instruction using aerial surveys to estimate elk populations in my Natural Resource Management class. I tried to make sure that I was not trying to make EVERY component student centered. I noticed quite a few of my classmates trying that and they seemed very frustrated with the results. So I tried to pinpoint each component so that I could cover the spectrum. I think I did a pretty decent job with it. One thing I do need to work on is developing higher order questions. I have a hard time thinking ahead for possible answers, this makes it hard to predict what students are going to say and makes me think on my feet. I am excited to keep trying to utilize IBI and look forward to improving my teaching!

My First National Convention!

Midd-West FFA Horse Judging Team
Placed 16th Nationally

Laura Metrick and Myself sharing our First Ever FFA National Convention
Taking it all in!

As you all know I do not have an extensive FFA background. I never really knew much about the organization until last year. I was lucky enough to travel to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY the last week of October with Midd-West FFA. I had a great experience and learned a lot about the organization. I was able to take a look behind the scenes with Midd-West FFA's competing Horse Judging Team.




FFA Members from various states spectating the
 Ford Built Tough Booth Activities

It was really great for me to see a national event like this. Until now I have very much been blinded to the world not thinking about anything that was too far away from my doorstep. After being at national convention I have been thinking on a larger scale. I was able to meet people from all across the United States and talk with them about ag industries in their areas. I was amazed to hear from some folks in Washington State that they live in a desert and have very little production. When I think of Washington State, I think of the OTHER half of the state that has temperate rain forest. It is amazing to think that what rainfall we get here in PA in the coarse of a day may be the same amount of rainfall that they get in a year!




As part of my assignment while attending National Convention I was to observe inspiring and depressing moments of people's treatment towards others. Overall I have to say that I was very impressed by the respect and attitude of FFA members from across the Nation. I heard many apologies when members were bumping into each other in crowded areas, and saw people moving out of the way and making room for a young lady who had crutches while trying to navigate the convention center. One of the most inspiring things I saw was a group of FFA members stationed at the bottom of the escalator giving everyone who rode it a high five and encouraging words like "Be Awesome!, "Go Places", and "Go All Out!". (Pictured Left)


One of the more depressing things I observed while at national convention was the attitude of the adults, including parents, chaperones, and advisors. I heard many of them complaining of people "in their way", and rude comments about passers by. I was shocked to see the students being more respectful and mature than the adults!