This past week, our teaching lab was Integrated Science/Inquiry-Based Learning. We had to use some sort of scientific equipment but also incorporate the techniques we learned with inquiry-based instruction. My lesson was on conducting soil, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and dish soap pH tests and comparing the pH of each substance.
Opps-Opportunities to Improve
- I stumbled on some explanation of the soil pH indicator colors. There were 2 different solutions that would react with soil that was in certain pH ranges that are specific to those colors. I just need to know what I'm talking about and be confident in my activities. Practice!
- I also need to be more clear in what the students need to find by the end of the lab. It wasn't clear to the students and that caused some confusion. I would just need to make sure that I fully state the question and ask if the students have any other questions about what they are to do.
- The students should draw conclusions on their own. They have collected the pH of all the substances and now they need to communicate what each of those means.
Gems-Things to Keep Doing
- I did well at walking around the room and asking the students if they were doing okay.
- I let the students test for pH at their own paces. They knew what they had to do and I was there for them if they needed me.
Overall, I think the lesson went decently well. There are definitely things I have to work on but I think I did better than I feel I did. I got frazzled when I was asked about the indicator colors and that threw me off for the rest of the lesson. I can't let that happen in the future.
Sara, I love your positivity! Even when things don't go the way we planned, remember to keep your head held high!
ReplyDeleteSara, your lab was a creative way to introduce the concept of pH testing that tied into the importance of soil pH, but allowed students to explore the concept using materials they were comfortable with. To help aid in clarity and content, you can have students read about it in advance, create an IBI exploration template outlining the protocols for these types of activities, or encourage students to research information on their own to become "experts" on the topic.
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised how often you use pH in your agricultural classrooms!!!
ReplyDelete