Chicagoagr.enschool.org
Agricultural Careers and Leadership
Syllabus and Class Expectations
Teacher: Maria E. Byrd Level: Freshmen
Room: 120 Length of course: 1 year
Email: mebyrd@cps.edu Credit: 1 unit
Course Description: This course provides an opportunity for students to “develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education” (FFA mission statement). This course is also designed to provide beginning agriculture students with an overview of the agriculture industry, past and present. Improving/developing technological, leadership, transitional, and workplace skills will be a focus. Students will learn about the impact of agriculture on our society and the variety of careers it offers, as well as the role of agriculture in our modern world. Students will be active participants in the Land Lab. Participation in FFA student organization activities and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects are also integral course components for leadership development, career exploration, and reinforcement of class concepts.
Students who successfully complete this course will:
1. Explain the history of agriculture and FFA, and the current opportunities it offers to students.
2. Fully participate as a member during an official business meeting.
3. Develop and pursue an SAE project.
4. Set personal/academic goals and strategies to achieve those goals.
5. Demonstrate skills in preparing and giving speeches/presentations.
6. Evaluate their career interests.
7. Prepare a plan for personal development.
8. Develop employability and transition skills for college and careers.
9. Explore careers in agriculture and explain the impact of agriculture on U.S. society.
10. Analyze agricultural/social issues and draw appropriate conclusions.
11. Research major agriculture companies.
12. Grow in leadership and citizenship.
Textbooks: The Official FFA Student Handbook & Leadership: Personal Development and Career Success; Ricketts, Cliff. Delmar Publishing (1997).
Units of Instruction:
• Intro to Ag Education
o Three circles
▪ FFA
▪ Classroom Instruction
▪ SAE
• Basics of Agriculture
o Food, Clothing, Shelter
• History of Agriculture
• Today’s Agriculture
• FFA/CHSAS History
o Dates/Major Changes
• FFA Today
o Mission, motto, colors, official dress, colors, ethics, officers/opening ceremony
• SAE
o Record Books
o Degrees/Awards
• Worm Composting
• Parliamentary Procedure
o Order of Business, Debate, Motions
• Public Speaking/Creed
• Ag Industry
o Overview
o Research major companies like Dow, Monsanto, Pioneer, Cargill, etc.
• Colleges/Careers
• Leadership/Goal Setting
o Growth throughout the past year? Leadership skills developed?
o Goals for next year
• Plant Science
o Basic plant parts
o Functions and uses
• Animal Science
o Basic overview
Expectations:
*** Assignments will be posted on the CHSAS website:
Materials:
• Three-ring binder (1.5 in., white with clear insert cover) with dividers
• 1 notebook (to be placed in binder)
• Loose-leaf paper
• Pens
• Highlighter
• Clear sheet protectors
• FFA Official Dress
o White collared shirt/blouse
o Black skirt (must be knee length or longer) or Black slacks (no jeans)
o Black dress shoes ( closed toe and heel)
o Black stockings (girls) Black socks (guys)
o Black tie (guys)
1. Students should be in their assigned seat and prepared* for class when the tardy bell rings. The door will be locked at the
sounding of the bell. For every tardy, the student will receive a detention. If the student is chronically tardy to class,
parents will be notified and may result in a drop in the students grade.
* Prepared for class means in your seat with the proper materials for class.
2. School I.D’s must be worn and VISABLE at ALL times.
3. There will be NO passes issued. Come to class prepared. Go to the bathroom BEFORE you come to class.
4. No food, candy, pop, etc is allowed in the classroom.
5. Each student will be responsible for all tests, quizzes, notes and homework given in class, whether or not they were in class
for the day. This responsibility includes turning in ALL work on time, and approaching ME so that missed assignments may
be made up. Assignments missed because of absence, may only be made up with an EXCUSED absence. So make sure the
school is notified and a note is brought in upon your return. Always check the schools website for assignments. The
student will receive a zero if the above mentioned is not done.
6. Homework is collected at the very beginning of class. Late work will not be accepted.
7. No talking while I am talking, or doing other than what is expected for THIS class. Treat me and your
classmates as you wish to be treated. Always RESPECT one another!!!!
8. Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, homework, notebook checks, projects and AAA hours. (AAA hours are 10% of grade)
Students, as well as parents, will be able to view student grades on IMPACT.
9. Your class notebook will be check and graded after each unit. I will be checking to make sure that your notes are IN the
notebook, are in INK and are dated.
10. All homework, test and quizzes should be done in ink, headed correctly and on loose-leaf paper. Points may be deducted if
Instructions are not followed.
11. All students may be asked to work on the land lab or in the greenhouse as part of the curriculum.
12.. Extra credit will be given on most tests and quizzes.
13. The binder is for this class only. Each section should begin with a tabbed divider.
14. A decision to cheat is a decision to receive a zero for the assignment.
15. The CPS Grading Scale is used.
A 90-100% B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F ................
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