The first of anything comes with nerves, excitement and a lot of questions. Today was a little bit like that. It was my first day student teaching, my first time meeting some of the students, first real teacher desk- and then my first time at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The Pennsylvania Farm Show has been running for 101 a large indoor Farm Show and state fair if you will. Farm show not only is an agricultural fair, where students can show animals, but also agriscience, landscaping, cooking and other various projects. It was cool to walk through today and see some of the projects and even brainstorm new ideas for the classroom this semester and in the future. 
Farm Show is also home to the Midwinter FFA Convention- another first of the day! This was a neat experience for me, and I hope the same for students as well. At Midwinter convention FFA State Degrees, or Keystone Degrees are awarded along with FFA Jackets. Seeing over 400 FFA members receive a brand new FFA Jacket and scarf or tie for the first time, as a scholarship from the FFA Foundation was really neat. As someone who loves and wore the blue and gold and treasures the places that jacket took me, this was cool. Pequea Valley had seven members receive FFA Jacket Scholarships. This was the most jackets they received.
What is neat about these young FFA members receiving these jackets is it was one of their first big events and accomplishments. It is events and scholarships like this that help spark student interest. On the way home we talked about what is next and talked with students about career and leadership development events and there was quite a bit of interest! It is funny how you wait for so long, and work so hard and it is finally here. There are many more firsts to come, and I can't wait to experience them.
Oh and I enjoyed my FIRST Farm Show Milkshake too!
Sounds like a great time...it will be interesting to see how you can tie back in classroom instruction to this field trip in the next couple of weeks, both reinforcing learning and "pushing" other students to want to go in 2018!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
DF
It was great to see you Ms. Hack at the Farm Show, and I'm glad you enjoyed the experience! There are so many learning/reflection opportunities agriculture educators can implement while students are enjoying the Farm Show, or even after the event. I hope you are able to draw inspiration to your classes!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work and staying on top of your blogs!
LR