Horticulture 2

Course Description

This course covers instruction that expands scientific knowledge and skills to include more advanced scientific computations and communication skills needed in the horticulture industry. Topics include leadership and SAE, nursery structures, growing environments and maintenance, greenhouse plant production, management and marketing, bedding plant production, basic landscape design techniques and maintenance, turfgrass management, and floral design techniques. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, job shadowing, and Supervised Agricultural Experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. 

Course Materials

Pencils/Pens (Blue or Black ink only)

Notebook Paper

1 ½ inch 3-ring binder

3 tab dividers labeled:

Breed ID

Notes

Graded Work

Colored Pencils/Markers

Horticulture 2 Course Pack (Hard Copy)

Instructional Philosophy

All agriculture classes at Cuthbertson High School are focused around the three-circle model of Agricultural Education.  The three circles include: classroom instruction, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Classroom instruction will provide a foundation of knowledge on the course content along with many opportunities for hands-on experience to apply what is being taught.  Secondly, the FFA is a National Organization that provides opportunities for leadership experience, community service, competitions in various agricultural areas, and much more. Finally, SAE projects are unique to Agricultural Education. These projects allow students to take what is learned in the classroom setting and apply that knowledge to real-world scenarios.  Many different career options can also be explored while conducting SAE’s. 

Course Standards

Leadership Development

Plant Production

Landscape, Turf, and Floral Design

 (The complete course blueprint is available on the NCDPI website.)

Major Course Projects and Assignments

Unit tests will be given.  Students will be informed of test dates ahead of time.

Students will have weekly online quizzes.  All online quizzes are due the day of the unit test.

Various labs/dissections will be conducted in the classroom throughout the semester.

Students will conduct an SAE project.  Instructions on will be given in class. 

Assessment and Grading Plan

Tests= 40%

Quizzes= 20%

Participation/Notebook Checks= 15%

Classwork/Homework= 15%

SAE Project= 10%

Progress reports will be given out halfway through each grading period.  They will need to be signed and returned.

Tutoring is available Monday afternoons from 3:00-4:00 or by appointment.

Parents are encouraged to provide their email addresses.  This is a great way to communicate with you the dates of quizzes, tests, and other news going on in the agricultural program.

Dear Parents, 

Your student is enrolled in my agriculture class at Weddington High School this semester.  I am looking forward to an exciting and productive semester. I hope it will be a rewarding experience for all involved. 

While enrolled in this class, I would like to ask your student to join our student organization called the FFA.  The FFA is a part of the class’ curriculum and offers countless opportunities to its members. While in the FFA, students will have a chance to participate in various chapter activities, camps, career development events, travel across the state to attend competitions and conventions, and many other FFA activities.  FFA activities give students planning to attend universities more extracurricular activities to add to their college resumes as well as many scholarship opportunities. Students also have an opportunity to earn extra credit for class by attending FFA activities. 2019-2020 FFA membership dues are $15. The cost of dues includes a 1-year membership and a FFA t-shirt.  Dues can be paid by cash or check made payable to Weddington High School FFA.  A membership form is also attached to this packet for your convenience.    

I am asking that each parent read the class rules sheet that I am sending home.  Please sign the attached sheet indicating that you have read and discussed this with your student.  I feel sure that this will help to clarify what is expected from each student. Students are required to participate in all activities including: class projects, group presentations, and outdoor lab activities.  Students will be allowed to bring a change of clothes if need be.

Students will be required to have some type of notebook for this course.  Information for agriculture classes is pulled from several sources, which means their notebook will be the best reference source for studying for upcoming tests.  A three ring binder or something with pockets is preferred. I will check notes regularly to ensure they are keeping up with the course material. This grade is 15% of the six weeks grade along with general participation.  This semester there will also be many assignments on the Canvas site. All students are required to access their course page and attempt work. We will also be using student Chrome books regularly throughout the semester so it is important that they bring them to class daily and charged. 

Feel free to contact me at (704) 296-0105 anytime during the semester if you have a question or concern about your child.  If you leave a message, I will return your call as soon as possible. I will do my part to keep you informed as well. 

Thank you for your cooperation and I look forward to this opportunity to serve you and your student.

Sincerely, 

Andy Nelson 

Agriculture Teacher

Weddington High School

andy.nelson@ucps.k12.nc.us 

 

SAE Project

All students enrolled in an agriculture class are required to have an SAE program.  So what is an SAE? SAE is an acronym for Supervised Agricultural Experience. SAE is a program designed to complement classroom instruction and the FFA.  SAE gives students the chance to design a program to gain hands-on experience and develop skills in agricultural career areas that interest them. This gives students the chance to experiment with the skills and knowledge needed for different career choices.  This helps students to make a more competent decision when they are ready to decide on further education and career choices.

Exploratory, experimental, entrepreneurship, and placement are the four basic types of SAE that students can choose from.  These will be discussed in more detail during class and the student will be given a period of time to make initial plans to start one of these programs.  By the end of the 1st six weeks of the semester, every student’s SAE program should be in place and records should begin.  Students must keep a record book no matter which type of SAE they choose.  This record book will be used to give them a six weeks grade. During the last six weeks period, students will give a presentation discussing everything they learned from their SAE or they can fill out a Proficiency Award application.  If they choose the application, and do a quality job, it can be entered to compete with other SAE projects across North Carolina. If they win at the state level, they can receive a cash prize and may get to compete at the national level.

I will also try to visit as many students’ projects as I can throughout the semester to see that they are working and to give advice if needed.  If you have any questions about this project, please contact me at school or email me at andy.nelson@ucps.k12.nc.us

Additional information and the requirements for the SAE project will be given around the second or third week of class.  There is no need to worry or begin your SAE until that time.

Rules and Procedures for Agriculture Classes

Rules:

1)  All students will respect the teacher, guests, and other students at all times.

2)  Students will be prepared for class (pencil, paper, notebook) Notebook is required.

3)  Students will be in their seat when the tardy bell rings.

4)  No student is allowed out of their seat without teacher permission.

5) Students should remain in their seats until the bell rings for dismissal.

6)  Students will participate in all class activities.

7)  No food, drinks (other than a clear bottle of water), cell phones, 

AirPods, or other electronic devices are allowed during class unless otherwise specified.

8)  Chromebooks should be used only when appropriate in class.  They should also be used for instructional purposes only. Games, movies, etc. will not be allowed.  

**All school and county rules will be enforced.

Consequences:

Depending on the severity of the situation(s), the following consequences will occur:

Verbal Warning

15 minute detention

30 minute detention (parent call)

Office referral

Absences and Make-Up Work:

If a student is absent, please be aware that he/she needs to bring in a signed parent note or doctor’s note to be “excused.”  If a note is not brought in within 2 days, then the student will be written up for skipping class. Whenever a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to ask Ms. Kendall about work that was missed.  All make-up work (including tests and quizzes) has to be submitted within 2 days of the absence. For multiple consecutive days missed, the student has 2 days for every absent day, to make up the work. This deadline is negotiable most times.  If the work is not submitted by the deadline, then the student receives a “0” for that assignment.

Late Work (When student HAS been present in class)

In general, no late work will be accepted after an assignment’s due date if a students has been present in class.  However, I do understand extreme circumstances may occur that could prevent you from turning in work on time. Examples may include: family emergency, illness, a late night at work, etc.  If there is an acceptable reason for turning in an assignment late, there will be late penalty ranging from 0pts to 10pts a day at the instructor’s discretion.   

Bathroom Privileges:

Students will be given bathroom passes for the semester. During the semester, students will be given a sheet of 9 bathroom passes (1 per 6 weeks). At the end of the 6 weeks, if students have bathroom passes left over, they may use that towards extra credit. Students will also be given the option of keeping the bathroom passes and not turning them in for extra credit. If in any case a student needs to go to the bathroom and does not have any more bathroom passes, they may come in early to class or stay late to make up the time missed from class.

Grading Values:

Tests/Projects	40%
SAE Project	10%
Participation/Notebook Checks	15%
Quizzes	20%
Classwork/Homework	15%

If a student has any questions about grades, he/she may come by my classroom before school or after school to address concerns.  Absolutely NO grades will be discussed during instructional class time.

Course Pack

One of the required materials for this course is the course pack.  The course pack contains all of the guided notes for the entire semester.  Students will be required to print a hard copy of the course pack to keep in their notes section of their notebook.  If students do not have access to a printer at home they have the option to print in our school’s media center for 5 cents a page.   

Need to borrow a pencil?

Students should come to class prepared each day.  In the event of a forgotten or misplaced pencil, students may borrow one from the instructor.  Students should ONLY borrow a pencil/pen from the clear box in the “student cabinet”. In no circumstances should a student take anything from the teachers desk without prior permission.