Introduction to Agriculture
Instructor Information:
Corrine Wascher
Phone: 973-2001
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://galesburgagffa.weebly.com/
Intro to AG AG100A 2 Term 1 Credit 9-10 Graders
Welcome to a new semester!!!!! I hope that you enjoy all that Agriculture
Education has to offer. There are many great opportunities both during class and
co-curricular. Take part in as many as you can and have a great experience.
Mission Statement: It is my hope that all students who take this class leave
with a better understanding and respect for all aspects of agriculture. If a student
participates actively in class they will leave with the hands-on experience in the
respective subject matter. And lastly, I hope for all my students to look back and
say they had fun while learning.
This course is designed to develop student knowledge and skills in the area of
agricultural science. Major units of instruction include US and world agriculture,
food, plant, soil and animal science. Applied math / science skills are stressed
throughout the course. Computer applications are utilized as they relate to the
instructional units. This course does not fulfill the science requirement for
graduation.
Class outline:
1. Agriculture Education: FFA and SAEs
2. The World of Agriculture
3. Ag History
4. Leadership Development in Agriscience
5. Food Science and Technology
6. Horticulture Sciences
7. Animal Sciences
* This list is subject to change due to time available
Daily Schedule
Entering class: There will be a daily starter posted on the board with directions
as students enter the classroom. Many days, these will be posted in Google
Classroom. If this is the case, students should open their chromebooks, log in to
Classroom, and begin. Students are to begin their daily starter immediately once
the tardy bell rings. A daily grade will be given for this assignment which will also
include the timeliness of the assignment. (If you are tardy and off task, this will
be reflected in your daily grade)
Classroom Instruction/Lab/Project: After the Daily starter, we will move into
the appropriate instructional material for the day.
Class Procedures
Classroom/Lab BehaviorI set high expectations for my students while they
are in my classroom. I was raised that when you are at school or any other
public place there is a certain way one should act and a way not to act. Students
having simple manners and showing respect for everyone will prevent almost all
behavior problems. This policy will be stressed to all students from day one and
students will be asked to follow these simple rules:
1. Be respectful of peers and teachers
2. No cursing, derogatory language, or inappropriate content
3. Be safe and do not endanger peers
4. Be ON TIME and prepared each day! This includes chromebook,
writing utensil, and notebook.
5. Electronic Policy: Phones will be PUT AWAY and head phones will
be out of the ears at the tardy bell and are only allowed after I have
given the ok. Chromebooks will only be used for educational
purposes from the time the bell rings until work is complete. There
will be NO electronics during instruction, presentations, etc.
Open door policyStudents that are in need of someone to talk to for any
reason may come to me to speak. The conversation will be kept private as long
as the conversation does not imply anyone is in danger. I understand that in high
school issues arise where the student may not think they can talk to anyone. My
door is always open. You may email me as well with any questions, concerns, or
as a discrete way to ask for additional help on assignments or with problems that
may arise.
Special needs/ accommodations Any student who requires special
accommodations or needs that I should be made aware of may come to me
privately or have a parent contact me to arrange those accommodations. All
students will be given a fair chance to succeed in my classroom.
Classroom discussions I encourage student feedback and discussion of the
material. To aid in an orderly discussion I will require students to raise their hand
and wait to be called before asking a question or making a comment.
Academic integrityStudents who are caught cheating or using the work of
another student will immediately be given a zero for that work and it will be
reported to the principal.
Make-up Work: (For Excused Absence)-- Make-up work is the students
responsibility and it is up to the student to find out what they have missed. All
student work will be entered into Google Classroom with directions. If there are
any questions, I will be happy to assist you from there. Due to the nature of this
course, it may be impossible to make up some assignments. If necessary, a
different assignment may be substituted for the missed assignment. It is the
students responsibility to turn in make-up work on time without being asked or
reminded.
Discipline/Rewards Procedures
Rewards: This year, I will be trying something new. I will be tracking all behavior
on the Class Dojo App. Class Dojo will award students points for positive
behavior as well as deduct points for negative behavior. This will give me an
opportunity to document behavior and be able to track student participation.
Students and parents are encouraged to follow the invite instructions that I will
provide in order to track points. Students will want to keep track of points
because the points work like a bank account. Students may purchase the
following items as they accumulate points:
10 Points: Buy bell ringer points back OR choose your
20 Points: Buy back an assignment worth 10-20 points
30 Points: Buy a 100% on a quiz grade OR use of your notebook for the entire
length of one test
40 Points: Buy back any missing assignment of your choice which can include
tests or projects (this option can only be used ONE time)
Discipline Procedures
1. 1st offense I will have private conversation with student during or
after class issuing him/her a verbal warning. Once we have agreed
on why the student is in trouble and on how to correct future
behavior; the student will resume participation in class with
appropriate behavior.
2. 2nd offenseStudent will receive a referral that will be sent to the
office. Also, I will be in contact with a parent or guardian to discuss
the offense. Once a referral has gone to the office the principal will
decide the consequence from there. See Student Handbook for
more information on discipline.
3. 3rd offenseParents or guardian will be contacted and if needed a
conference will be set up for student, parents, and myself. Referral
will be written and sent to office. See Student Handbook for
discipline information.
Grading Policy: Grades will be administered on a point system. Larger, more
complex projects or tests will be worth more points. Smaller, less time consuming
projects or homework will be worth less points. Your points will be derived from
tests, journals, daily assignments, homework, quizzes, labs, and Final
Grades are based on total points. No weighted grading for quizzes or tests.
Class KNOWbooks will be kept in class. Each student will be responsible for
providing a notebook to be able to create their KNOWbooks. All assignments will
be kept in these KNOWbooks. Students will be given magic minutes on each
test and will be able to use their own KNOWbook for an arranged amount of time.
KNOWbooks will not be allowed for the entire test but it is my hope that the use
of these KNOWbooks on the test will encourage and reward students who
complete their work and keep neat, accurate notes. Mrs. Wascher will also be
keeping a template for a reference in order to be able to keep your books
complete and up to date. Before each unit test,students will receive a study
guide which they will complete for a 50 point grade. A review will take place the
day before each test as well.
A+ 100 - 98 A 97-93 A- 92-90
B+ 89-88 B 87-83 B- 82-80
C+ 79-78 C 77-73 C- 72-70
D+ 69-68 D 67-63 D- 62-60
F <60
*Grades are based on total points. No weighted grading for quizzes or tests.
*You are encouraged to keep track of your own grades or keep track using
Skyward.
*Please feel free to check your grade with me BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS or at
any time using Skyward.
*Keep all returned work in your Notebook as proof of grade.
*Extra credit will not be given but you can earn rewards through Class Dojo
*The grade you receive is the grade YOU earn.
FFA
FFA is an integral part of all Agriculture education programs. That means that if
you are enrolled in an ag class, you are enrolled and welcome to participate in all
FFA events. FFA will have monthly meetings and fun activities and we would
love for you to join us. For those wishing to participate in State and National
events, a $15 fee will be required to cover National Dues. Any student wishing to
participate in out of school events with FFA will be asked to pay the fee. There
are many opportunities available to help students that may not be able to cover
the cost of this fee but are still interested in participating.
This classroom will run as a family. We will respect each other, encourage each
other, and work hard to succeed. It it my job to help keep you safe, and your job
to help keep it that way. With your help, this will be a great class! I look forward
to working with you.
