Reflection on the ADK

Part 1:
Please DESCRIBE (this means MORE than list, you know...) at least five meaningful things you learned in this course and how these things have, or will, effect change(s) in your life (either personally or professionally).

My goal was to come to Huntington Camp and learn as much as I possible could about how the camp became what it is today. By completing the readings and videos before class I was able to gain a brief understanding of the camp but the real learning occurred for me through discussions and visits to both museums. I will definitely take the idea of learning about places back into my ideas of teaching. I see now that it is important for students to know where they come from and the places they visit so that they can gain a better understanding of the history and therefore the experience will have a deeper meaning to the.

The discussions about transition towns and reducing carbon footprints really had an impact on me. I knew ideas like these existed but I really never looked at it in the perspective of my life. Have the care ride home allowed me to reflect on the ways I could reduce my carbon footprint by just carpooling or just being resourceful and not having to run to the store all the time.

I learned more about technology programs such as Comic Life. Even though Karl explained how to use it briefly, it was interesting to see classmates put it to use. I was able to play around with the program and found it to be very user friendly. The uses for Comic Life are endless and I think it’s a program that every teacher should make available to their students. Students love reading comics so what a better way to incorporate what they enjoy reading into an educational activity. I hope someday I will be able to incorporate Comic Life into my classroom teaching.

I learned that eating fruits and veggies that are not in season is not good. I never really thought about it but not that I know, I will be sure to eat my fruits and veggies in season. I explained this whole concept to my family and they all agree that we need to start doing this. I explained to them by buying from farmers markets and eating fruits and veggies in season we are supporting farmers as well as reducing our carbon footprint.

I also learned how important it is to get children outside. By listening to everyone that day, it made me realize that I need to start doing this more and also encourage teachers to do the same. There are many ways to get students outside even if it’s just to get them up and stretching. By doing this, hopefully students will see how important it is to be outside and active.

Part 2:
Please DESCRIBE at least three things you have taken away from the course topics, activities, discussions, and/or readings that will affect what you do to in your classroom (or workplace) that will connect our week to what you do every day.

One thing I have definitely learned and will take from this course is to NEVER give up. By completing the ropes course, I learned how easy it can be to give up on something new that has never been completed. The encouragement and perseverance I gained that day allowed me to reevaluate how I will deal with students who choose to give up in my classroom. Some students enter new situations and end up giving up because it’s too difficult. I plan on taking the situation I was in and the pride I felt when completing the course as a motivation to help other students realize that they CAN do anything.

Everyone’s presentations on Friday were great. I took away many different ideas from the presentations. The idea of a rain dance could be incorporated into any classroom. I think this is a great idea as it touches on many multiple intelligences. Viewing students stories on Comic Life also gave me ideas of how I could incorporate it into my classroom. I thought completing projects was a great idea and culminating closing activity.

The last thing I will take away from the week we all spend together is take time for myself. All the weeks up until our time at Raquette Lake were hectic. I never took time for myself to reflect on different activities I did. Having a week away from ringing phones, stress, and technology really allowed me to reflect. I think this was a great time to take this class as in the fall I will be starting my teaching career. Being talking with other teachers really allowed me to prepare mentally for the road I am about to travel down. Just by sitting around the campfire listening and talking with experienced teachers I learned a lot of useful information. I can not wait to start this journey after a terrific and relaxing week in the ADK.

Thank you Beth and Karl for giving us this opportunity to explore, interact, and reflect with each other. This had to be the best course I have taking in a long time. The amount of information I gained in the six days was definitely more than I have ever received in a semester. I hope future students can experience all this class has to offer. Thanks again!

Day Three

I learned so much information about the Adirondacks today. Both museums were great. I especially enjoyed visiting the Adirondack Museum. There were many displays and artifacts that helped tell the story of the Adirondacks. I was able to take several pictures and collect many of the free brochures they offered. In the Wild Center, I learned many new things that I can take back into the classroom. I enjoyed the hands on activities they offered. The otters enrichment was very interesting. After visiting both museums, we drove to the Inlet to shop. It is the smallest town I have ever seen. Everything was right there; church, post office, library, grocery store, and restaurant. After dinner, I experimented with fishing. I was pretty successful in catching three fish! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Day Two

Today I really learned more about the history of the Adirondacks and Raquette Lake. It was very interesting to tour each of the building at Huntington camp. The history on each building and the artifacts found in each really told a story. I also went kayaking for my first time. What an experience that was. My whole outlook on my trip to Raquette Lake was to try new things. This definitely was something new for me. Today, we also watched a movie on more history of the camp and of the Adirondacks. It just amazing me on how much effort and time went into keeping Huntington Camp around for Cortland students to enjoy. It definitely is a place where teachers can learn and reflect on material that is presented in their classrooms. I hope to take back some of the history and pictures I gained from today back home to share with others.

Day One

Today we visited Ferd's Bog and climbed Black Bear Mountain. I found the visit to the bog to be very interesting and very informative. Our tour guide provided us with information on different plants, trees, and birds. I even took a step into the bog because I probably will never have the opportunity to do something like that again. After our visit to the bog, we ventured to Black Bear Mountain. I have hiked nature trails before but never anything like this. I found the climbing to be somewhat difficult but the view at the end was well worth it. Along the way, we classified different trees, birds, and fungus. The classification books we were provided with were very helpful in finding out exactly what we were looking at. I think today's activities definitely tie into the classroom. I will use the hands on activities experienced at the bog and Black Bear Mountain into my future classroom. This whole experience has assisted me in my quest to learn more about the history and environment of the Adirondacks.

Adirondack Excitement!

My name is Heather Bennett and this is my LAST course before I receive my diploma. I like to think I saved the best for last! When I first enrolled in the Master’s program here at Cortland State I found out one of the classes I could take would involve a week at the Adirondacks. I automatically signed up for this course because I truly love the outdoors. I am taking this course to hopefully learn more about how I can integrate science and knowledge I gain from this experience into my teaching.

As young as I can remember, I have always had the passion to become a teacher. I love to be around children and to be a part of their development as learners. Children are such unique and energetic characters that it helps me to remember that life does not have to be completely serious. I cannot imagine another job that would keep me young at heart. Not only do I like the fact that children keep you young, but a career in teaching does not end my education. I also enjoy the fact that a teacher is a professional and lifelong learner. I look forward to the educational setting where my methods in which I perform my job are always changing. I feel a teacher is never done learning, is always adapting their point of view, and using their imagination constantly. To me, choosing a career in teaching is the most important job one can hold. Teachers are the people who produce future doctors, lawyers, politicians, and other various important people that make our society as powerful as it is today. No matter the background of the child, his race, his gender, or his societal worth a teacher is able to give a child a chance at future success. That is a gift of a lifetime that no other career can provide. I can honestly say that I am excited to make teaching a lifelong career in which I plan to learn, grow, develop and reflect into the best teacher I can be.

My goals as a teacher are to provide the material and information so each of my students succeeds in whatever path they choose. Maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment will encourage students to use problem solving as well as risk taking. Creating an environment in which teachers facilitate a student centered classroom allows for active learning in critical, creative and reflective thinking. Providing students with this experience and support will allow for academic and personal growth. Every student has the opportunity to learn and be part of a classroom environment. Honoring diverse learning styles and praising individual accomplishments will allow students to feel part of a classroom environment.

My goal for this course and the Adirondack experience is to free myself from any fear and try new things. I hope to take what I learn from this course and apply it not only to my teaching but to my personal life. I have heard many great things about the Adirondacks so I am looking forward to the experiences I encounter, new knowledge I will gain and the friends I will make. Can’t wait!