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Are You Not Entertained???


The Struggle is Real...

The whole point of an interest approach is well, to keep it interesting. This past week was our Interest Approach Lab, and let me tell you, when I say I struggled, I really mean I struggled. Our cohort was challenged to create a 5-10 minute interest approach that we would give to one classes, and since we had so much time, it was to be a hands-on, unique one. For a solid week I over-thought everything and blocked my brain from thinking of anything creative for my interest approach. I tried so hard to think of anything I could relate to a Vet Science "Careers" lesson (since I already had a lesson plan for this created) and it was beyond difficult for me. 

It was challenging to think of activities that would be short, have any value to the students and lesson, be hands-on, and get students thinking about careers that can come from taking my Vet Science class. I did eventually find my inspiration; a McDonalds Happy Meal that my sister and I played with. Charlee loves McDonalds probably more than any one I have ever met and recently we stopped there to eat and found a Happy Meal version of "Guess Who" on the box. We loved it and played 3-4 times! This got me thinking how it could be fun for students to play "Guess Who" but have the characters be someone in a Vet Science career.



The Struggle Continues...

You would think that now I found some kind of idea for my interest approach that I would be good to go with no more challenges, right? WRONG!!

I had no idea how I was going to cut out the pictures, and also include an online version for my "Guess Who" game for Nicole. I started by selecting roughly 15 photos of different vet science careers and planned on cutting them out and places them into individual baggies. After I printed those out, I realized my printer was out of colored ink and that you really couldn't see the pictures. So I then decided everyone would just have an online version, but I had no idea how to make that happen either. 

I started by creating a google docs with all the pictures and having directions included below. After struggling and struggling to figure out how you could tell which picture was yours and how to eliminate the other pictures. In the end I found it easier to just place a green and red border around the pictures to help keep track. My last challenge was that I would have to create the same document and share it with each student separately (for a class I would have a document available on Canvas, etc.). This wasn't so much of a challenge, as it was a repetitive pain. 

Now That was Easy!

After alll the struggles of making this happen, when it came time to actually give my interest approach to the class, I was met with ease. I was so nervous that my interest approach would not be interesting, that it would be too short, and that it would not relate to my lesson, however, I thought it went pretty well. Even though I really wanted a hands-on game, I thought that the online version worked great for social distancing and on Zoom with Nicole. 

I think that I really need to learn to trust myself and the process, because it usually works out in the end, even if the getting there was hard. I did have a PowerPoint to help explain the activity, but I forgot to switch a slide one time as I was explaining, and I know if that slide was shown, it would have been much easier. 

Final Thoughts

I loved my interest approach when it all said and done, and I also really loved every one else's as well. I thought our cohort did a fantastic job each creating unique, fun, and involved interest approaches that related to each of their lessons. 

Is there somewhere to find interest approaches for lessons for different course like Vet Science and Ag Mech?




Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2020 at 7:23 AM

    Great job on your interest approach and reflection on how to be even better! Inspiration can sometimes come from interesting places, even a game from a fast food restaurant :-)

    One place that I would encourage you to check out for interest approaches (or even other great teaching ideas) is NAAE communities of practice. Just do a "search" on the homepage and you will get many "hits"/great ideas.
    - Dr. Ewing

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  2. Megan RoyerSeptember 21, 2020 at 10:49 AM

    Michaela! You did an amazing job, you know what they say with every rose there are a couple thorns! This activity definitely seems like you came with a couple thorns but it was so much fun and I definitely will be stealing it to use in my classroom some day! I love how it kept the students engaged, to add to your game a little I would suggest maybe a definition of the person that you partner shared and what they do in their occupation. This could give your students a little taste of the content before you complete dive into the lesson. You did a great job!

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  3. elise laudenslagerSeptember 22, 2020 at 8:46 AM

    Michaela, I think you did a fantastic job with your interest approach and it was one of the most creative of the day! As Megan said, I will definitely be stealing this idea for my own classroom one day. I also think when you are not limited to such a strict time you will be able to go a little slower through the instructions so all students will be ready (although I think we all got it). Great job this week!

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  4. Alyssa LandisSeptember 22, 2020 at 2:50 PM

    Hi Michaela,
    I absolutely LOVED participating in your interest approach. I also love how you could easily adapt this activity for other lessons, and I will definitely be using it when I'm teaching! I think that using a game-like format for any interest approach always makes it more successful, because students are more likely to engage. It connected very well into the lesson that you were teaching. Keep up the good work!

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