I laughed when I first read this because I think the biggest thing I learned was that you should only lecture for 15 - 20 minutes max. I was given the job, a few power points and told good luck. With this, I would talk to the students for hours about cooking terminology and techniques but only in theory. It took us several days (1 1/2 hour classes) to get through sanitation and now looking back, I have no idea how my kids survived or why they came back for a second year. The reason that I did so much lecturing brings me to the second thing I learned, delegation.
I would dread doing practical hands on work because I would always end up doing all the dirty work. I had developed a very basic lab management plan (didn't even know that was what it was called) but it was so vague that the students could not follow it and I could not keep track of who was in charge of different tasks. I would be at work as late as 11 pm doing clean up. Now, after NTI I have a GREAT lab management plan that works overall for everyone but definitely works for me. We now cook every other day and spend very little time in the classroom. I am happy, the students are happy; it is a win, win situation.
Thanks NTI!!!
Hi, Ginger - great post, and kudos to you for implementing such measures. Effective education, particularly career tech, can be hands-on and enjoyable as well. Your students are learning many valuable lessons by being totally involved in all aspects of your program. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI was also suprised that there was a limit of 15-20 minutes of lecture. I then began to notice that the kids grew weary of too much lab time too. It takes a delicate balance to get it right. Fortunately, my kids respond to longer lectures and my school system encourages longer it. the trick is to keep the lecture animated and interesting. My labs are now more organized and engaging, even if they are shorter. It is tough to keep them from dredding one or the other but it sounds like you have it nailed, as I new from the day I met you that you would!!
ReplyDeleteYes. you must have a clean up plan. Because I will not clean up after my students. They know no clean up no lab. I use a check off list and it works. I give them an activity sheet with dates of there clean up task. I have to sign off on it each day or they will get extra work the next day.
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