Tech Club Observation

     The first initial meeting and observation with Amy Wood, the Tech Club teacher at Chief Joseph Middle School, went extremely well. While there Amy and I discussed which days would be good for teaching tech club based upon their attendance on certain days followed by what would work well with my own schedule. We have decided upon Thursdays hopefully being the best day to attend, interact, and teach the students. We also discussed flexibility if Thursdays will not work due to my work schedule- she has stated she is flexible and has no problem with that if a problem arises with Thursdays.
     During my hour observation I noticed that while it is an after school program there is quite a bit of structure to this program. For the first 30 minutes of the 2 hour long Tech Club program students are given, actually instructed, to work on their homework and show their planners to the teacher in charge. The point of this is to instill structure and responsibility upon the students to use their time wisely to complete assignments and get any help while still in the school building before going home without additional resources at their fingertips. The idea of working in silence to encourage work is also instilled, they are asked to eat a snack (which they receive upon showing their planner for the day) in quiet while beginning their homework. If students do not have homework they need to be studying for any upcoming tests. There is little area for students to give an excuse. The teacher knows that either they have homework or there is some test for every student coming up that needs to be studied for.
     Prior to my observation I was informed by Amy that during the spring semester several practicum students helped establish an idea that was implemented for Tech Club. These students are going to be building a community garden that will inform the community of the health benefits of different plants, allow for locally grown vegetables, and cut costs. She has asked me to continue this idea of implementation with Tech club. Already we have discussed using a student friendly search engine for students to document their work of what each plant is, how it benefits the community from growth, and how it benefits the body from consumption.