Big Things Happening at Big Spring

On Tuesday 3/29/16 I was able to visit Big Spring High School to observe Katie Andrews, another member of the #PSUAgEd16 cohort! It was an incredible day to visit a unique program, see a friend, and learn a lot!

First period consisted of saving some plants! There had been an unfortunate flooding of the greenhouse over the Spring Break, so students in the Horticulture and Greenhouse Science Class was able to clean the Greenhouse and re-pot some of the plants. Big Spring has many different flowers, some vegetable crops, and the students' propagation experiments. I was so impressed by Katie's flexibility and willingness to move items around to fix some items in the Greenhouse!

Students re-arranging the Greenhouse

 After working in the Greenhouse, students went back into the classroom to learn more about root anatomy, this was a neat experience for me to experience a 1-1 classroom. Each student has a laptop, so Ms. Andrews was able to share a powerpoint with them. Students were then able to follow along with the powerpoint and type in notes.

After some Greenhouse shenanigans, the students started learning more about Roots.

Next was an Intro course where Katie is teaching CASE curriculum! This was a neat experience to discuss with Katie (and Jenna, who is another member in our cohort who is also teaching a CASE class.) This was very neat to talk with them about CASE because I will actually be attending a CASE institute this summer! The students, primarily 9th graders, were working on a Farm to Fork project, and creating an infographic online! This was impressive to see CASE curriculum and a 1-1 program working together to maximize students learning.

Students working diligently on their computers!

I also was able to peak into Mrs. Fultons AP Environmental Science course! This was interesting, and also pretty intense. Katie has two cooperating teachers at Big Spring HS, Mrs. Fulton and Mrs. Nailor.

After lunch, we had an FFA Meeting, and I will admit I was jealous that Big Spring is able to have a designated FFA club day on Tuesdays and Thursdays! This allows for students to attend meetings and prepare for CDE's during the school day!

Big Spring FFA Meeting!

I was very excited to work with Big Springs Poultry Judging CDE Team! It was a really fun experience to work with some students and discuss something that I am passionate about!

Then, I was able to watch Katie and Mrs. Fulton on their first day of co-teaching their equine class. An elective for the last marking period, it was fun to see how exciting the students were, and to see Mrs. Fulton and Katie working together!

I just couldn't resist! Had to take a picture of this dynamic duo!

It was a FANTASTIC day visiting Big Spring. I was able to watch Katie as she integrated several different teaching strategies throughout the day! I was very impressed by her flexibility and enthusiasm. Being in a two teacher program, she actually moves from room to room between periods, and it requires a lot of careful planning to ensure that she is prepared in both rooms, the ag shop, and the greenhouse! I truly enjoyed my experience as a Big Spring Bulldog for the day!

Great day as a Bulldog! Thanks for letting me visit Katie!

Thanks for reading,
Sarabeth