Course Description This course covers instruction that expands the scientific knowledge and skills to include more advanced scientific computations, and communication skills needed in the horticulture industry. Topics include greenhouse plant production and management, bedding plant production, watering systems, light effects, basic landscape design, installation and maintenance, lawn and turfgrass management, career planning, and leadership/personal development. Skills in biology, chemistry, and algebra are reinforced in this class. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are agriscience projects, cooperative education, apprenticeships, 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 NONPARTICIPATION!

• 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.

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 Assignments/Notes                                                                      15%

   All notes for this class will be posted online.  You are responsible for completing the notes on YOUR OWN time.

• Quizzes                                                                                                                15%

   Quizzes will be on the same day as the notes are due.  You will be able to use your notes to complete  your quizzes. Not having your notes will not excuse you from taking the quizzes.

• 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 postassessment scores count 25% of you final grade. Final grades will be calculated by multiplying the above average by .75 (75%) and adding that number to the students CTE postassessment score multiplied by .25 (25%).

 

[(9 weeks score) x (.75)]  +  [(CTE postassessment score) x (.25)]  =  Grade

 

Class Rules:
Respect other and our 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!

 

Dates you should know remember:

• End of first 9 weeks  

• End of semester

• SAE Project Completion Date