Suggested Outline
Junior High Horticulture Course
Grade Level: 7 & 8
Length of Course: Semester
Credit: 1/2 Unit
Course Description 68003A002): This exploration course provides the opportunity to learn fundamental concepts
in horticulture to serve as a foundation for future courses and to inform students about the fastest growing sector
of the Agricultural Industry. Major units of instruction include introduction to the horticulture industry, plant
science, plant identification, plant propagation, marketing products from horticulture, and leadership and personal
development. Participation in FFA student organization activities is an integral course component for leadership
development, career exploration and reinforcement of academic concepts.
Lesson
CC – Central Core
HO – Horticulture Cluster
AM – Agricultural Mechanics & Technology
AP – Animal, Plant, & Soil Science
*EAA – Exploring Agriculture in America
IA – Innovations in Agriculture
**AGSC – Agriscience Kits
ASD – AgriScience Discovery
***SIU – Southern Illinois University AgResource curriculum
AB – Agricultural Business Management
ER- Environmental Resources
KCC – Kids, Crops & Critters (K-3 & 4-6 Guides)
PSST – Plant & Soil Science Technology
Suggested
Hours/
Unit Area
Instruction in the FFA Organization is to take place at appropriate times throughout
the semester.
5
Unit: E - Developing Leadership Skills in Agriculture
Problem Area: 1 – Understanding the History and Organization of FFA
Lesson: HO G1-1 – Exploring the History and Organization of FFA
Problem Area: 2 - Recognizing Opportunities in FFA
Lesson: HO G2-1 – Discovering Opportunities in the FFA
Lesson: HO G2-2 – Determining FFA Degrees, Awards and CDE’s
Problem Area: 4 Participating in Community and Government Organizations
Lesson: HO G4-1 – Understanding Youth Clubs and Organizations
Lesson: HO G4-2 – Developing an Awareness for Your Community
Unit: I – Introduction to Horticulture
Problem Area: 1 – Defining Horticulture
Lesson: ASD 3-14 – What is Horticulture and What is the Horticulture Industry?
Lesson: ASD 3-14 – What are the Areas of Horticulture?
Lesson: IA – Careers in Horticulture
Lesson: KCC2 – Horticulture Goes to Press
Unit: II – Plant Science
Problem Area: 1 – Basic Principles in Plant Science
Lesson: EAA 2-1 – The Importance of Plants
Lesson: ASD 3-14 – What Conditions are Needed for Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse?
Lesson: ASD 3-14 – How are Plants Maintained?
Problem Area 2 – Plant Parts and Processes
Lesson: EAA 2-2 – Plant Parts and Processes
Lesson: KCC1 – How a Seed Grows and Who Grows it?
Lesson: PSST – The Role of the Cotyledon
Lesson: PSST – Observation of Gravitropism in Germinating Seeds
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Plant Conductive Tissues
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Photosynthesis
Lesson: KCC2 – Oxygen Givers
Problem Area 3 – Plant Identification
Lesson: ASD 2-5 – What are the Types of Plants?
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Plant Identification
Lesson: PSST – Wood Ornamental Plant Leaf Collection
Lesson: PSST – Forestry Tree Leaf and Fruit Collection
Junior High Agriculture Course
1
January, 2003
6
40
Unit: II – Plant Science (Continued)
Problem Area 4 – Plant Propagation
Lesson: ASD 2-5 – How Do Plants Reproduce?
Lesson: PSST – Methods of Propagating Plants Asexually
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Asexual Plant Reproduction
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Sexual Plant Reproduction
Unit III – Factors Affecting Plant Growth
Lesson: KCC2 – Plant Growth – Vital Signs
Lesson: EAA 2-4 – Plant Care Requirements
Lesson: ASD 4-20 – Why is Soil Important?
Lesson: ASD 4-20 – How is Soil Formed?
Lesson: AGSC – Probing Our Soils – Getting to the Roots of Agriculture Kit
Lesson: SIU – Biological – Plants: Soil pH
Lesson: AGSC – Rain or Shine – Weather’s Effect on Agriculture
Unit: IV – Products from Horticulture
Problem Area: 1 – Marketing Horticultural Products
Lesson: KCC1 – Fruit for Sale
Lesson: KCC1 – Profit from Pumpkins
Lesson: IA – Landscape Lingo
Lesson: IA – Blossoms and Bouquets
Lesson: KCC2 – Gardening – A Math Adventure
Unit: V – Leadership and Personal Development
Problem Area: 1 – Developing Personal Skills
Lesson: EAA 6-1 – Developing Personal Leadership Skills
Problem Area: 2 – Personal, Citizenship, & Communication Skills
Lesson: ASD 5-29 – What is Human Relations? Why is it Important?
Lesson: ASD 5-29 – What is the Importance of Citizenship Skills?
Lesson: ASD 5-29 – What is the Role of Communication
Unit: VI – Horticultural Safety
Lesson: IA – Hazardous Horticulture
Lesson: ASD 3-16 – What is Safety?
Lesson: ASD 3-16 – How are Hazards Found?
Lesson: ASD 3-16 – How is Safety Promoted?
Lesson: ASD 3-16 – What Personal Protective Equipment is Used?
Lesson: EAA 7-5 – Safety and Maintenance Procedures for Lawn/Garden Equipment
Total
(Cont.)
12
10
8
9
90
This is a suggested outline of instruction. Teachers should use it as a guide in developing a course
outline for their local situation. It is advised that a minimum of 60-70% of the lessons found in this
outline appear in the outline developed for the local situation.
*Exploring Agriculture in America is a curriculum designed to provide instruction about agriculture to seventh
and eight grade students. It is available from Instructional Materials Laboratory at the University of MissouriColumbia.
**Agriscience Kits are self-contained, all-inclusive kits that are designed to help students learn science
concepts through agriculture applications. The Agriscience Kits are available from:
Information Technology and Communication Services (ITCS)
University of Illinois
1401 South Maryland Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-333-3871
Junior High Agriculture Course
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January, 2003
***Southern Illinois University AgResource 7th/8th grade agriscience curriculum and kits are available from:
AgResource – Southern Illinois University
Agricultural Education and Mechanization
Mailcode 4414
Carbondale, IL 62901-4414
Phone: 618-536-7734
“Kids, Crops & Critters” are curriculum guides targeting K-6 grade levels and are available free of charge
through the Illinois Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Program upon completion of a “Kids, Crops & Critters”
training session.
“Innovations in Agriculture” is part three of the Kids, Crops & Critters curriculum which is targeted at 7 th and 8th
grade levels. “Innovations in Agriculture” can be obtained free of charge from the Illinois Farm Bureau Ag in the
Classroom Program upon completion of an Innovations in Agriculture training session.
Plant & Soil Science Technology and AgriScience Discovery are available through Prentice Hall-Interstate
Publishers.
Junior High Agriculture Course
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January, 2003