WEST PERRY SCHOOL DISTRICT
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM
COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE #7300
Date Completed: March 2004 Grades: 9, 10,
Instructional Time:
Length of Course: 18 Weeks Length of Periods: 83____ Periods per Week:____5__ Total Clock Hours: 124 _
Total Class Periods: 90___
General Course Description:
This course is designed for beginning students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture or an agricultural related field. This course provides a basic orientation to agricultural skills, practices, and concepts and will address the state standards in science and technology and environment and ecology. Topics will include watersheds, wetlands, renewable and nonrenewable resources, integrated pest management, ecosystems, and environmental laws. Students will apply scientific concepts to the study of agriculture and demonstrate an understanding of the affect science and technology have on the agricultural industry. Students will also be provided with a basic knowledge of animal science, plant science, shop mechanics skills (40 percent), FFA leadership skills program, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program records. Students are encouraged to develop a practical application to agricultural technology and science through experimentation and critical thinking.
Overall Goals:
All students will understand the complex nature of the agriculture industry from research through production to marketing.
All students will learn the history, creed and purpose of the National FFA as a youth organization dedicated to leadership development and personal growth.
All students will understand the importance and purposes of an effective Supervised Agricultural Experience ( SAE) project for career preparation.
All students will explain the sources and uses of earth resources and their influence on agriculture and the environment. .
All students will define basic terms integral to animal science, management and production.
All students will cite examples of changes effected in animal growth by genetic selection.
All students will recognize the physical and economic factors necessary for profitable and humane livestock production with quality assurance.
All students will identify and safely use agricultural mechanics tools and equipment.
Units of Study for Introduction to Agriculture #7300 Class Periods Allocated
1.
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Introduction to Agricultural Education and the FFA
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3
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2.
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Agriscience and Its Impact on Our Lives
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3
|
3.
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Career Opportunities in Agriscience
|
2
|
4.
|
Introduction to Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)
|
2
|
5.
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Developing and Maintaining Effective SAE Records
|
5
|
6
|
Introduction to FFA Career Development Activities
|
3
|
7.
|
Parliamentary Procedure and Conducting Effective Meetings
|
5
|
8.
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Identification of Animal Species & Breeds of Economic Importance
|
8
|
9.
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Identification of Livestock Body Parts and Selection for Desirable Traits
|
4
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11.
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Raising Young Animals with Quality Assurance and Safety
|
3
|
12.
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Identifying the Soil Types, Profiles, and Components
|
4
|
13
|
Land Use in Pennsylvania and the United States
|
4
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14
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Identifying Crops and Seeds of Agronomic Importance
|
2
|
15
|
Environmental Conservation and Biotechnology
|
4
|
16
|
Legal and Economic Aspects of Conservation and Production
|
5
|
17
|
Identification and Safe Use of Hand Tools and Power Hand Tools
|
5
|
18
|
Identification and Safe Operation of Power Shop Equipment
|
8
|
19
|
Individual Shop Woodworking and Metal Working Projects
|
10
|
20
|
Introduction to Basic Arc Welding
|
4
|
21
|
Identification and Safe Use of Metal Working Tools
|
3
|
22
|
Safe Use of the Oxyacetylene Torch for Cutting and Brazing
|
3
|
|
TOTAL CLASS PERIODS ALLOCATED
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90
|
TEXTS:
Ricketts, Cliff; Leadership, Personal Development & Career Success;
Delmar Publishers
Cooper, Elmer L, Agriscience, Fundamentals and Applications,
Delmar Publishers
Gillespie, James R, Modern Livestock & Poultry Production,
Delmar Publishers
Cooper, Elmer L., Agricultural Mechanics, Fundamentals and Applications,
3rd Edition, Delmar Publishers
REFERENCES:
Breeds of Livestock, Oklahoma State University, http://www.ansi.okstate.edu
Official FFA Manual, National FFA Supply Service
FFA Student Handbook, National FFA Supply Service
Ag Ed Network, http://www.agednet.com
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