Introduction to Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources

Ms. Bowman blbowma@carrollk12.org

410 - 751 - 3575 ext. 2238

Course Description: The major purpose of the Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) is to introduce students to the range of agricultural opportunities and the pathways of study they may pursue. Science, mathematics, reading, and writing components are woven in the context of agriculture and students will use the introductory skills and knowledge developed in this course throughout the CASE™ curriculum. Woven throughout the course are activities to develop and improve employability skills of students through practical applications. Students will explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course. Students participating in the AFNR will experience hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences will involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, plants, animals, natural resources, and agricultural mechanics. While surveying the opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources, students will learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take responsibility for their work, actions, and learning. Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) will use APP modalities. The APP modalities include Activities, Projects, and Problems. These modalities provide for student directed learning, help develop skills for real-life situations, challenges student to high rigor, and meet the needs of varying learning styles within the classroom.

Units of Study: Agricultural Education (Agriculture, FFA, and SAE); Communication Methods; Science Processes; Natural Resources; Plants and Animals; and Agricultural Mechanics

Materials of Instruction:

3” 3 ring binder *** due on ____________

8 dividers with tabs *** due on ____________

Writing paper

Pen and pencil

Calculator (not necessary but may be useful)

Grading Policy: Grades are issued regularly in order to (a) Communicate a measure of student achievement of content standards and course outcomes and (b) Provide feedback and guidance regarding student learning. Grades are available on Home Access. You can get more information concerning online grade posting at https://mystudent.carrollk12.org/homeaccess/.

Grades will be updated every two weeks at minimum. Please contact the teacher at any point throughout the term if there are questions concerning grading. When calculating student grades, more weight shall be given to summative assignments (assignments designed to evaluate student learning) than to formative assignments (assignments designed to provide practice and guide next-step instruction). For Introduction to AFNR, formative assessments will be worth 40% of the quarter grade & summative assessment will be worth 60%. A final assessment will be given at the end of the course and carry a weight of 10% of the final grade. The final assessment shall be comprehensive and measure student learning of the content standards and outcomes presented during the course. Grading Scale: A = 90% - 100% B = 80% - 89% C = 70% - 79% D = 60% - 69% F = below 60%

Make up work due to absence: Students will have the opportunity to work during flex to make up missed work because of absences or, if needed, during any other time mutually convenient to the teachers and students involved. Students are expected to take the initiative in planning such a time and students should do so no later than the second day following their absences. Students are reminded that long-term assignments or projects are due on the date announced regardless of the absences which may occur in between the time the announcement is made and the time the assignment or project is due. In the case of verified illness, or an emergency, which extends over a period of time, arrangements should be made with the teacher involved to consider a revised date. Parents are to e-mail the student’s teacher for missed work. Students shall have the number of days equal to the number of days absent to turn in completed make-up work, unless a greater extension is granted by the teacher.

Second Chance Learning: Students will have the opportunity for second-chance learning at the teacher’s discretion. To qualify, students must have completed and submitted the original assessment, activity, or assignment by the due date. Students will then meet with the teacher and complete a second-chance learning form and determine a re-learning plan/activity (extra work before retaking the assignment may be necessary). All re-learning opportunities must be completed outside of regular class time within 7 days of when the assignment was returned to the student.

Students will be allowed one second-chance learning opportunity on assignments. If the redo/retake grade is higher than the original grade, it will replace the original grade. Second-chance learning is not meant to be used as a regular practice by a student or as a substitute for lack of preparation. Final research projects, marking period exams, and final exams are NOT eligible for reassessment.

Late Work: Work is expected to be turned in on its due date. If work is not turned in on that date, students must meet/have conference with the teacher to develop a learning plan to be able to turn in the missing assignment. All work assigned between the start of the quarter and mid-quarter must be submitted 3 days before mid-quarter. All work assigned between mid-quarter and the end of the quarter must be submitted 5 days prior to the end of the quarter.

Homework Policy: Most homework will be a continuation of the classwork that was assigned but not completed in class and in most cases, it will be expected that the assignment is completed by the next class period. Any graded homework will be graded as a formative grade. There will be time to work all major projects and reports in class, but it will often be necessary to finish some of these at home. Grading for this kind of work will often be summative. Please ask the teacher if you have questions.

Academic Integrity: Please note the policy in the student handbook/agenda

Classroom Expectations:

Students must be in the classroom by the time the bell rings and beginning their warm-up. Three tardies will result in a lunch detention.

To be prepared for class every day, students must have their AFNR binder, pen/pencil, & notebook paper (calculator will be useful at times)

While working on activities/in the lab, students are expected to work diligently, cooperate and be respectful to others, and care for all equipment.

Students will be responsible for clean-up at the end of each lab/activity and will be dismissed by the teacher once clean-up is complete.

No eating or drinking in the lab/classroom (bottled water is fine in classroom)

Electronic devices should not cause a distraction/issue to others. Electronic devices should be put away, unless noted that such devices may be out due to using them in an activity, lab, etc. (I will announce prior to activity/when needed)

Consequences: 1. Warning 2. Conference with Student and contact parent/guardian 3. Lunch Detention and contact parent/guardian 4. Administrative Referral and contact parent/guardian

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR)

I have read the AFNR syllabus & have a clear understanding of what’s expected in this course. Student Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _______________ Parental Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _______________