PUBLISHER:
SUBJECT:
SPECIFIC GRADE:
COURSE:
TITLE:
COPYRIGHT DATE:
SE ISBN:
TE ISBN:
GENERIC EVALUATION CRITERIA
20010-2015
Soil and Plant Science (Agronomy)
Grade 10-12
Yes
R-E-S-P-O-N-S-E
No
N/A
CRITERIA
I. INTER-ETHNIC
The instructional material meets the
requirements of inter-ethnic: concepts,
content and illustrations, as set by West
Virginia Board of Education Policy (Adopted
December 1970).
II. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The instructional material meets the
requirements of equal opportunity: concept,
content, illustration, heritage, roles
contributions, experiences and achievements
of males and females in American and other
cultures, as set by West Virginia Board of
Education Policy (Adopted May 1975).
NOTES
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION: 21st CENTURY LEARNING EVALUATION CRITERIA
20010-2015
Soil and Plant Science (Agronomy)
Grade 10-12
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
(IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
A=Adequate
M=Minimal
N=Nonexistent
I
A
M
N
In addition to alignment of Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs), materials must also clearly connect to
Learning for the 21st Century which includes opportunities for students to develop
A.
Learning Skills
 Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills.
 Information and Communication Skills.
 Interpersonal and Self-Direction Skills and use these 21 Century Tools
B.
21st Century Tools
 Problem-solving tools (such as spreadsheets, decision support, design
tools)
 Communication, information processing and research tools (such as word

processing, e-mail, groupware, presentation, Web development, Internet
search tools)
Personal development and productivity tools (such as e-learning, time
management/calendar, collaboration tools)
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION: 21st Century Learning EVALUATION CRITERIA
The general evaluation criteria apply to each grade level and are to be evaluated for each grade level unless otherwise specified. These criteria consist of
information critical to the development of all grade levels. In reading the general evaluation criteria and subsequent specific grade level criteria, e.g. means
“examples of” and i.e. means that “each of” those items must be addressed. Eighty percent of the combined general and specific criteria must be met
with I (In-depth) or A (Adequate) in order to be recommended.
20010-2015
Soil and Plant Science (Agronomy)
Grade 10-12
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
(IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
A=Adequate
M=Minimal
N=Nonexistent
I
A
M
For student mastery of content standards and objectives, the instructional materials will provide students with the opportunity to
4. Multimedia
1. offer appropriate multimedia (e.g., software, audio, visual, internet
access) materials.
2. provide a website which provides links to relevant sites as well as
lesson plans, student activities and parent resources.
3. integrate technology into the curriculum.
N
B. Scientifically-Based Research Strategies
1. provide explicit instructional strategies to present varied teaching
models including but not limited to webbing, mapping, Venn
diagrams and inverted pyramids.
2. promote writing skills and study techniques .
3. present varied teaching models with emphasis on differentiated
instruction in content, process, and product.
C. Critical Thinking
1. emphasize questioning models to promote higher order thinking skills
based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. promote student-generated responses.
D. Life Skills
1. address life skills (e.g., health related concepts, goal setting,
application to career oriented goals, reference tools, and
researching).
2. address habits of mind activities (e.g., literacy skills, interpersonal
communications, problem solving, and self-directional skills).
E. Classroom Management
1. include opportunities for large group, small group, and independent
learning.
2. provide classroom management suggestions.
3. provide suggestions for differentiated instruction (e.g., practice
activities, learning stations, assessment, lesson plans).
F. Instructional Materials
1. address varied learning styles and multiple intelligences of students
by including models.
2. provide extensive and varied opportunities to practice skills.
3. provide intervention, practice, and enrichment materials.
4. continue skill or strategy instruction across several instructional
sessions to expand the applicability and utility of the skill or strategy.
5. connect previously taught skills and strategies with new content and
text.
6. cumulatively build a repertoire of multiple strategies that are
introduced, applied, and integrated throughout the course of study.
G. Assessment
1. provide opportunities for assessment based on performance-based
measures, open-ended questioning, portfolio evaluation, rubrics, and
multimedia simulations.
2. provide on-going progress monitoring.
3. provide rubric-based differentiated assessment.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION: CONTENT SPECIFIC EVALUATION CRITERIA
20010-2015
Soil and Plant Science (Agronomy)
Grade 10-12
This area of study is designed to provide students with scientific knowledge and experiences essential to
careers in soil and plant science. The course includes major units in soil formation, soil properties, land classification,
fertility, plant growth, and the impact of agriculture on the environment. Students will utilize problem-solving techniques
and participate in laboratory activities to develop an understanding of course concepts. Safety instruction is integrated
into all activities. Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction related
to selection, development, and maintenance of individual Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs.
Students are encouraged to become active members of FFA, the national youth organization for those enrolled in
agricultural education. FFA is an integral component of the program and provides curricular opportunities that
enhance student achievement. Teachers should utilize relevant FFA activities to support experiential learning.
The West Virginia Standards for 21st Century Learning include the following components: 21st Century Content
Standards and 21st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools. All West Virginia teachers are responsible for
classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and content standards and objectives.
Standard 1: Nature of Soil and Plant Science
Students will:
 demonstrate an understanding of the scope of soil and plant science.
 demonstrate the ability to use the inquiry process to solve problems.
Standard 2: Content of Studies in Soil and Plant Science
Students will:
 demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and applications of facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models as delineated
in the objectives.
 relate the principles contained in the sciences, economics, mathematics, and language arts to soil and plant science.
Standard 3: Application of Knowledge and Skills Acquired Through Soil and Plant Science
Students will
 apply the principles of the sciences, economics, mathematics, and language arts to soil and plant science.
 analyze information and situations to select the best means of performing tasks associated with soil and plant science.
 demonstrate an ability to utilize technology to perform tasks associated with studies in soil and plant science.
 evaluate agricultural commodities and processes and defend decisions related to such.
 engage in work-based learning through Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs.
Standard 4: Participation in the student organization
Students will participate in a local student organization.
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF
CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT
(IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
A=Adequate
M=Minimal
N=Nonexistent
I
A
M
For student mastery of content standards and objectives, the instructional materials
will provide students with the opportunity to
A. Nature of Soil and Plant Science
1. describe the impact of agriculture on the environment.
2. list and describe the function of federal, state, and local
entities and interest groups concerned with soil and plant
science.
3. examine the role of soil and plants in the ecosystem.
4. research career opportunities in soil and plant science.
B. Content of Soil and Plant Science
1. describe soil formation factors.
2. interpret information included in soil surveys.
N
3. define and determine soil depth.
4. distinguish between categories of soil texture.
5. define and determine soil structure.
6. predict the permeability of soils.
7. analyze soil profiles and determine drainage
characteristics.
8. calculate slope.
9. classify soils according to land use factors.
10. evaluate the function and management of soil ph and
nutrient levels.
11. calculate fertilizer rates to maintain proper plant nutrition.
12. compare and contrast various pest management
measures.
13. appraise agricultural soil conservation best management
practices.
14. examine wetland preservation and management.
15. discuss the water cycle and how water is managed.
16. discuss improvement and diversification of SAEs.
C. Application of Knowledge and Skills Acquired Through Soil and Plant Science
1. collect soil samples and conduct tests.
2. interpret soil test results.
3. calculate percent slope of land using instrumentation.
4. evaluate soil and land using a soil survey.
5. evaluate soil and land use using a topographic map.
6. collect and categorize various agronomic plant species.
7. identify forage crops common to the area.
8. describe cultural requirements and production practices of
forage crops.
9. list and describe forage harvesting methods.
10.
identify row crops common to the area.
11.
describe cultural requirements and production practices
of row crops.
12.
list and describe harvesting methods for row crops.
13.
identify small grains common to the area.
14.
describe cultural requirements and production practices
of small grains.
15.
list and describe harvesting methods small grains.
16.
develop an integrated pest management plan.