Interest Approach Teaching Lab Reflection

For those of you who may be reading this and don't know what an interest approach is; it's a pretty simple explanation. Coming up with an interest approach can sometimes be a different story!

-----An interest approach is the hook at the beginning of a lesson or a unit. It's what gets the students interested in the topic (especially if they aren't already).

This week's teaching lab was on interest approaches. I didn't want to spoil my favorite one (for the animal science genetics unit) so I had to think of another one right off the top of my head! I chose to do an interest approach for the Food Preservation/Fermentation unit that I will be teaching first thing in the spring. I mean because why not?? Everyone loves food!

I'm going to start with the "Opps" of my lesson. These are things for me to think about or change for future lessons. If I improve these, I will be on the right track to becoming a more effective teacher!

• I was more nervous this time than I was last time! I don't know how I regressed but I just have to keep pushing forward. I know my material as much as I can, so I will be fine!

Here are the "Gems" of my lesson! These are some of the things I did well in my lesson. If I keep doing them, then I know I am on the right track!

• I used food, which is something everyone likes for my interest approach. I realize that I can't use food in every lesson I teach so I will come up with some creative ways to get the students out of their seats.
• I believe that I did a good job of getting the students back onto the conversation at hand. Keeping the students on the main topic of the day is very important if you want to accomplish your objectives.

Staying positive is something I need plastered on my walls this semester. I need to always remember why I am doing this. I'm doing this for the students; I want them to have the best high school experience that they can. This means working hard to write lesson plans and teach to the best of my abilities!