Ag 1

Course Syllabus

1. Course Description:

Students will be introduced to the following subject areas. The students completing the unit will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

· Safe work habits

· Mechanical calculations

· Hand tool operation

· Project construction

· FFA History and Purpose

· Parliamentary Procedure

· Soils and Soil judging

· Small engine operation and repair

· Plant identification

· Applied plant science

· Breeds of Livestock

· Applied animal science

This class is one year in length and designed for freshman level or higher students. There are no prerequisites for this class and students of any grade new to Agriculture class may take this class.

2. Instructional Philosophy and Delivery Plan

Students will be expected to meet all the course goals listed below and be able to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying concepts. The instruction will be laboratory and application based with a minimum of lecture and demonstration. The teacher provides direction and manages the class, but gives students as much responsibility as possible for planning, designing, and doing research to complete projects. Community and business people will be utilized as curriculum support devices as well as guest speakers.

The projects require students to use resources such as the library, technical manuals, journals and mathematics, science, and language arts teachers. The course requires student individualized project completion. Students will work in teams to complete several projects. This enables them to learn how to work independently in planning, constructing and trouble shooting a variety of projects.

The evaluation and grading system is introduced at the beginning of the course to advise students of the standards they will be expected obtain to pass the course. The instructor conducts periodic class discussions to emphasize key points, check student understanding, and prevent gaps in overall progress. Students are called upon to explain selected concepts in class.

Student assessment will be based on group work, individual completion of projects, written reports, tests of students’ knowledge of important concepts and demonstration of important skills.

3. Course Goals

Students will learn how to:

· Operate hand tools safely and properly to complete a small engine repair project.

· Make mechanical calculations and complete a bill of materials.

· Identify plants, seeds and plant parts to assist understanding of plant science concepts.

· Identify breeds and parts of livestock to assist understanding of livestock husbandry practices.

· Study FFA history and participate in FFA activities such as fruit sales and career development events.

· Demonstrate leadership and parliamentary procedure ability by participating in FFA activities.

· Evaluate land sites to determine a capability class and recommend land management practices.

4. Major Course Projects

· Students will study FFA history and parliamentary procedure and participate in FFA activities such as Safety Day and fruit sales.

· Students will practice land judging techniques and attend the District 2 Land Workshop. Students will be able to complete the SD Land Judging Score Sheet.

· Students will practice safe operation of hand and power tools before completing safety tests on all power tools in shop.

· Students will complete a unit on engine operation before dismantling and repairing an engine in shop.

· Identify plants and do grading of grain samples. Study plant make-up and processes in applied plant science.

· Identify major parts and breeds of livestock before practicing judging techniques. District and State FFA CDE’s are available to practice the skills learned.

5. Assessment Plan

Technical processes and procedures will be evaluated in the lab setting by the instructor daily. Proper safety practices and work ethic will be measured and scored daily also.

Grades for the course will be based on the following levels of performance.

A Independent Learner

Did research, designed and planned; applied academic skills; evaluated work and made adjustments; did quality work; needed little help from the teacher; sought and found resources independently; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 94% or higher; produced a quality project.

B Semi-Independent Learner

Did research, designed and planned; needed some help from the teacher; did quality work with a few flaws; needed feedback from the teacher to realize work did not meet standards; redid work to meet standards; demonstrated knowledge and a grade of 86% or higher; produced a better-than-average project.

C Dependent Learner

Needed help to research; design and plan or had to be given a plan; relied a great deal on the teacher; had to be given procedures for performing tasks; required significant help to produce a quality product; needed help to evaluate a product; final product still did not meet standards; demonstrated knowledge with a grade of 78% or higher; and produced an average project.

D Very Dependent Learner

Similar to Dependent Learner but required more help, and produced a below average project. Scored at least a 70% or higher.

F Failure

Did not complete project; if projects were completed, they were of such low quality that they did not pass; failed to document procedures; did not show criteria for determining quality, scored less than 70% on knowledge tests; produced a poor portfolio or not at all.

Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated as follows:

Evaluation Criteria Method of Education Points

Daily Participation Personal development, 30 %

Participation & behavior

Projects Design, written plan of 30 %

Procedures, quality of

Product, work ethic

Performance Competence of academics, 10 %

Performance and safety

Tests Tests/Quizzes 16 %

Final Examination Comprehensive, objective 14%

And practical exam