Horticulture I / | 2014-2015

Course Description:

This course provides instruction on the broad field of horticulture emphasizing scientific and technical knowledge for a career in horticulture. Topics in this course include plant anatomy, plant growth and development, plant nutrition, media selection, basic plant identification, pest management, innovative gardening techniques, customer relations, career opportunities, and leadership development. Skills in biology, chemistry, and algebra are reinforced in this course. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are agriscience projects, internships, and supervised agricultural experience. Supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA leadership activities are integral components of the course and provide many opportunities for practical application of instructional competencies.

Stuff You Need To Have:

3 Ring Binder notebook
Composition style notebook
Plenty of loose leaf paper
Something to write with!!
Colored Pencils
Ruler
We also ask each student to pay $15 dues for FFA membership. All students are expected to be FFA members, as the organization is considered an integral part of the agriculture education curriculum.
As Horticulture I necessarily involves students being around plants, soil and water, students should expect to get dirty on occasion. They may bring old clothes and shoes in the room if they like. NICE SHOES WILL NOT BE AN EXCUSE FOR NON-PARTICIPATION!
Computer Access – if you do not have access to a computer, the classroom will be open every day during enrichment period Monday through Thursday from 2:35pm until 3:10 pm.
- The AET is an online source that we will be using in this course to keep records for your Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). We will spend the first 30 minutes of class every Monday morning in the Flex Lab to record information.
- The website : http://pghsagriculture.wix.com/2014-2015#!horticulture-i/chq6 is an online website that we will be using to takes notes in our class. Instead of the traditional method of taking notes from the overhead projector or white board, we will be using this online source to take notes from. You are expected to take notes on your own time outside of class and will be responsible for bringing these notes to class daily. There will be a regular scheduled notebook check on Mondays to ensure that you are keeping an accurate record of your notes and assignments.

Other things to help out: expo markers, hand sanitizer, tissues, Lysol/Chlorox wipes, bounty paper towels

Safety Information:

This class is likely different from anything else you have done in school. We will be using a variety of equipment and handling an assortment of plants. Safety comes first! I will not make you do anything you are uncomfortable with, and maintain supervision, but it is important that you take all equipment and procedures seriously! If you have to think about whether it is a good idea, IT MOST LIKELY IS NOT! Our class will be outside more than most other courses, so please make sure you dress for the weather.

Academic Information:

Grade Scale:

A = 100 – 93

B = 92 – 85

C = 84 – 77

D = 76 – 70

F = 69 – 0

Late Assignments: No tolerance for late assignments

Make-Up Assignments: Students must comply with all rules regarding absences in the school handbook. Makeup work will be given for excused absences, and can be picked up either a few days prior to, or immediately following an absence. All work should be submitted within 3 school days of the absence, or will be considered late. (see late below) Under certain circumstances missed ab work may need to be completed before or after school, however this is left to the discretion of the instructor.

Assignments:

Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE): 15%

Each student will complete an SAE project, encompassing any topic in the field of agriculture. Each student is expected to contribute 40 hours of work outside of class time. We will spend a day talking about SAE’s during the first week of class, at which time you will receive a handout detailing project examples and specific requirements.

Course Exams: 30%

We will have several tests throughout term of this course breaking up each of the major topics in the course. Students must do well on exams to do well in class.

Homework Assignment/Notes &Quizzes: 30%

There will not be a great deal of homework or reading, but it does count towards your grade. Do the assignments, and you will be in good shape. Quizzes may be unannounced and will focus on comprehension of the reading assigned, or techniques demonstrated the previous class period. BOTH EXAMS AND QUIZZES MAY HAVE WRITTEN AND APPLICATIONS SECTIONS.

Class work, Course Projects, Participation 25%

Students are expected to participate in the class to its fullest. The course will require significant “lab” work in the greenhouse and outside. Agricultural education is based on experiential learning, which means you learn it by doing it. You will also be graded on involvement and completion in several small class projects throughout the semester.

The above percentages are for each 9 weeks. CTE post-assessment scores count 25% of your final grade. Final grades will be calculated by multiplying the above average by .75 (75%) and adding that number to the students CTE post-assessment score multiplied by .25 (25%).

[(9 weeks score) x (.75)] + [(CTE post-assessment score) x (.25)] = Grade

Class Rules:
Respect others and their stuff

Participate-Involve Yourself in Your Education

Follow Directions & Act Responsibly

Attendance/Tardiness: Don’t be late….The school attendance policy is in effect. Consult the student handbook for guidelines. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you are TARDY.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are ABSOLUTELY not allowed. I will not tolerate any cheating and if I catch anyone in the act, I will punish them to the fullest extent possible. There is no need to cheat, if you are having problems on a particular day or in general come see me, DO NOT CHEAT!