Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers

Words that Grow: Boosting Ag Literacy with Writing, Speaking, and Hands-On Learning

How can your agriscience classroom cultivate strong agricultural literacy that goes beyond hands-on skills? This episode digests research exploring how SBAE teachers are promoting ag literacy through speaking, listening, and writing activities! Discover how explicit explanations, group discussions, and project-based work help students grasp complex vocabulary and apply concepts to real life. We'll also tackle common challenges like time constraints for writing. Get ready for practical insights on how intentionally weaving communication into your lessons, alongside labs, prepares students to truly understand and advocate for agriculture!

 

Journal Article: http://jsaer.org/2024/04/22/exploring-agricultural-literacy-instructional-practices-for-advancing-student-writing-in-agricultural-education/

The Donut Model: Finding the Sweet Spot for Teacher Success

Ever feel like you're constantly balancing on the edge of burnout? This episode introduces the Donut Model for Ag Teacher Success! Adapted from Doughnut Economics, this new framework offers a fresh way to understand the sweet spot between minimum and maximum productivity boundaries. Learn how factors like mentoring, support systems, and workload management can help you thrive, not just survive. Get ready for new language to advocate for your well-being and find fulfillment in ag teaching!

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2764

Special Episode: Meet the Producer

Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce this podcast? Who is this mysterious fourth person of the Owl Pellets crew? For the past three seasons, Kyleigh Hilburn has been behind the scenes producing Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers Podcast. In this week's episode, Brian and Becky pull Kyleigh out from the background and into the guest's chair. Hear all about what it takes to produce a podcast, life as a graduate student, and be engaged with teaching, research, and extension at a land-grant institution. 

Building Stronger Ag Classrooms: Youth-Adult Partnerships in Action

Ready to unlock deeper student involvement and real-world learning? This episode digests a powerful 7-year study on the CROPS Project, grounded in the transformative Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP) Theory! Discover how fostering genuine collaboration between youth and adults in ag education can dramatically enhance student motivation, build practical skills (like farm safety!), and strengthen classroom relationships. Learn why YAP isn't just a strategy, but a sustainable and impactful model for agricultural educators seeking profound learning outcomes.

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2394

Margin in the Middle: Finding Balance and Boosting Creativity in Ag Teaching

Ever feel like you're running on empty? This episode digests vital research on "margin" in the lives of ag educators – that crucial buffer between your workload and your personal resources! Discover why having more margin is key to maintaining wellness, boosting creativity, and finding greater satisfaction in ag teaching. We'll share actionable strategies from the study on how you can protect and grow your margin, helping you stay energized and effective in the classroom.

 

Journal Article: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/2827

How Learning Works: Student Identity & Development

Brian, Becky, and Mike are back to diving into how learning works. Throughout this episode, they will dive deep into the first section of the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike chat about how student identity and development play a role in learning. 

Building Employability: Real Skills for Real Ag Classrooms

What do school superintendents really want your ag program to teach? This episode digests research exploring how district leaders prioritize essential employability skills within SBAE curricula! Discover why critical thinking, problem-solving, and resource management are top priorities. Learn how superintendents view these skills as "very" or "extremely important" for student careers, reinforcing the need for ag teachers to deliberately incorporate them. Get actionable insights on how to prioritize, teach, and assess these vital skills to better prepare your students for college and the workforce!

 

Journal Article: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jrtc/vol8/iss2/3

Nurturing Positive Youth Development: Turning Research Into Action in Rural Ag Classrooms

Ready to empower every student, no matter their background? This "pellet" delivers crucial insights from research on Positive Youth Development in rural, low-SES high schools! Learn how SBAE programs are uniquely positioned to build student confidence, competence, and belonging. We'll explore the importance of trauma-informed teaching and mental health support, plus concrete strategies to foster the Five Cs of PYD in your classroom and FFA activities, ensuring every student has the support to thrive.

 

Journal Articles: 

https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/article/view/127

https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/ruraleducator/vol44/iss2/9/

 

Herding Knowledge: Making the Most of SBAE Classroom and Laboratory Instruction

Ready to fine-tune your classroom and lab skills? Ryan Best, Iowa State University, digests key research on essential instructional practices in School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE)! We'll explore how effective teaching aligns with the eight AFNR career pathways, covering everything from supervising labs and managing equipment to recruiting students and adapting to hybrid learning. Discover the practical strategies and adaptable approaches you need to meet diverse student needs, boost achievement, and find greater satisfaction in your vital role as an ag teacher. 

 

Journal Article

How Learning Works: Introduction

Another season, another mini-series! This season, Brian, Becky, and Mike are diving into how learning works. Throughout this mini-series, they will dive deep into the book "How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Learning." Marsha Lovett, Michael Birdges, Michele DiPietro, Susan Ambrose, and Maria Norman focused this book on making learning work for you and your students! Come along as Brian, Becky, and Mike break down this book and its concepts.