Agricultural Mechanics

Mission Statement

West-Oak High School exists to educate, to engage, and to empower learners in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

                                                           

                                                                                                Prerequisite: Agriculture Science

Instructor:    Sara Pollard                            

Email:    spollard@g.oconee.k12.sc.us                                            Room: 120       

Planning: Third Block

 

Course Description:

The Agriculture Technology course is designed as an introductory course to the Agriculture Mechanics Career Pathway.  In addition it provides development of general mechanical skills which are required in all areas of Agricultural Education.

 

Typical instructional activities include hands-on experiences in woodworking; metal working; welding; small engine repair; basic farm and homestead improvements; participating in personal and community leadership development activities; planning and implementing a relevant school-to-work transition experience; and participating in FFA activities. 

 

This course is a component of the following Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Pathways:

• Agricultural Mechanics and Technology
• Environmental and Natural Resources Management
• Horticulture
• Plant and Animal Systems

 

Textbook:

Agricultural Mechanics Fundamentals and Application 7^th Edition

 

Student Materials:

Each student is required to have a three-ring notebook with loose-leaf paper.  Students will also need a blue or black ink pen or a pencil.

 

Course Outline:

• Introduction to Agriculture Technology
• Woodworking technology
• Metal Working Technology
• Welding
• Small Engines
• Farm and Homestead Improvement
• Supervised Experience in Agriculture
• Developing Leadership skills in Agriculture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Evaluations / Grading:  Daily class work includes all class activities and assignments, notebook checks, tests, and participation in all tasks performed in class.  A comprehensive final examination will be given at the conclusion of the semester.  Since classroom and laboratory activities are supplemented through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) and Leadership Programs (FFA), these components will be computed into the final semester grade.  The student will be working towards completion of the FFA Leadership and the SAE components of the program throughout the semester and will be assessed during the final month of the semester. 

            Grades will be weighted as follows:                                     Grading Scale

Major Assignments: 60%                                         100-90    A

Minor Assignments: 40%                                         89-80      B

                                                                                    79-70      C

                                                                                    69-60      D

                                                                                    60 and Below F

 

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE):  The SAE program allows students to gain real world experience in the activities of the agriculture industry while building skills in organization, record keeping, decision-making, and analysis The student’s SAE project can be on anything they may choose as long as it is approved by their agricultural education teacher.  . The program is designed by the individual student and is completed outside of regular class time with assistance from the agricultural instructor along with other adult mentors.  The student will be provided with a set of expectations concerning minimum hours (24) of participation in the SAE and when various phases should be completed.  The SAE is part of the grade earned by the student and will count for 15 % of the final grade.  Students can use their SAE to enter one of the many different proficiency areas through the National FFA Organization.  All SAE projects will be submitted on the assigned date.  No exceptions. 

 

Examples of past SAE projects:  Landscaping, Home Improvement, Working at a BBQ restaurant, working at a vet office, planting food plots, growing a garden, raising livestock, etc…

 

Leadership Development (FFA):  Each student enrolled in an Agriculture class is encouraged to become a member of the National FFA Organization.  The FFA provides many leadership activities including monthly meetings, chapter socials, Career Development Events (CDE), and various field trips.  Dues are $10.00 for a one-year membership.  These dues will also pay for state and national membership into this organization. 

 

Make-up Policy:  Upon returning from an absence it is the student’s responsibility to check with the instructor to find out what assignments were missed.  Make-up quizzes, tests, and class work will be rescheduled to a date according to school policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classroom Expectations:

• Be on time for class.
• Bring required materials to class each day.
• Be on task.
• Be courteous to others. 
• Electronic devices are not permitted inside of the classroom or outside in the greenhouse, barn, or in other instructional settings.

 

 

Academic Integrity Policy

Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy includes such actions as plagiarism, copying other’s work, and cheating on tests or quizzes.  The following are examples of violations of the policy:

• Using illegal aids on tests (cheat sheets, looking on another’s paper) or showing your paper to another student
• Including information from internet resources, such as text and images, without properly citing  sources
• Paraphrasing or using direct quotations without properly citing sources
• Copying another student’s work, allowing someone to copy from you, or using copies of another student’s data files
• Using online translators
• Creating or falsifying information

Students are responsible for conducting themselves in such a way that there will be no reason to question that their integrity adheres to this policy.

Consequences for violating the Academic Integrity Policy include the following:

• Parents will be notified of the offense
• A zero may be recorded for the assignment
• The student will be counseled by the teacher and/or counselor
• Repeated offenses may result in ISS, OSS or additional disciplinary actions

 

Class Attendance: 

Refer to Student Handbook.  Students are responsible for obtaining make-up work upon return. 

 

Attendance Policy

Student attendance laws require the following days present to receive credit, provided the student receives a passing grade in the course:

In a 45-day course, a student must attend 41 days.

In a 90-day course, a student must attend 84 days.

In a 180-day course, a student must attend 168 days.

Students missing an assignment in class will have five school days (not class periods) from the date of return to complete the assignment and should make arrangements with the teacher to complete missed assignments. This includes absences incurred due to participation in a school-sponsored activity.

 

 

 

 

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

Expectations

 

• The SAE program requires a minimum of 24 documented hours of hands-on activity in any area of agriculture selected by the student.

 

• SAE’s can include home or community improvement projects (landscaping, vegetable gardening, floral arrangements, food processing, fence or compost bin construction, etc.), job placement (for wages or experience), agriscience research investigations, entrepreneurship (start your business), directed lab activities after school (greenhouse, turf research, etc.), or agricultural communications (topical magazines, website development, etc.). The best projects are those that can be continued and expanded in the coming years.

 

• The student will choose a project and develop a plan. The plan will consist of a summary of what he or she will be working on throughout the semester, and a list of needed resources to complete the project.  The plan will need to be signed by the student, parent(s)/guardian, other involved adults (for example – an employer or landowner who provides space for a garden), and the instructor. 

 

• A plan outlining the project must be submitted to the instructor before approval can be given to start the project.

 

• When the instructor has approved the plan, the student will receive record keeping information and can begin work. The earlier you turn in your plan and get approval, the sooner you can begin to work on it.  The plan is part of the SAE final grade.

 

• Keep detailed records of your activities – hours, skills used, new skills learned, earnings, inventory, etc. You will also need to take a minimum of 5 pictures of your project (some should be of you working on the project).

 

• Written updates and records will be checked periodically throughout the semester to ensure understanding and completion of the project.

 

• The instructor will be available ANY time to come and assist you with your project, as long as a time has been set up to do so.

 

• The final report will include a step-by-step guide on how you started and completed your project. Each picture should include a caption explaining, not just telling what you are doing.  The report will also include your time log, expenses, and inventory.  If you have no expenses or inventory make note of it in your final report.