Class Syllabus
Advanced Plant Sciences
Fall 2015 & Spring 2016
First Period: 7:45 – 8:30
Instructor:
Mr. Jason Dieckhoff
phone: (816) 380-3253 ext: 7803 (work) (816) 383-3490 (cell)
email: jason.dieckhoff@harrisonvilleschools.org
Course Description:
An advanced class specializing in all aspects of plant production. First semester will focus on crop production
principles: plant biology, soil fertility and management, selecting crops & seeds, major economic crop production. Second
semester will focus on greenhouse management: floriculture, insects, diseases, irrigation, fertilization, and marketing.
Production of greenhouse crops will be used to demonstrate procedures such as plants started from cuttings and seeds.
Greenhouse lab participation is required. Prerequisites: Ag Science I
Class Goals:
Students will understand the basic operation and management of a year-round production greenhouse with emphasis
in industry composition, structures, plant growth, identification, propagation, nutrition, pest management, business
management, and marketing. Students will be expected to work in the school greenhouse to gain hands on learning
experiences.
Course Rationale:
Agriculture encompasses the food, fiber, conservation, and natural resource system, employing over 20% of the nation’s
workforce. Cutting, seedling grafting, layering, and management of a greenhouse provide entry level and entrepreneurial
opportunities for students with an interest in horticulture.
Objectives / Essential Skills:
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Compare and contrast the parts and functions and growth stages of monocot and dicot seeds and plants.
Understand the importance of soil fertility and how to manage fertility issues in the soil.
Identify major crop and weed seeds and plants.
Understand the growth pattern and management practices associated with major Missouri crops.
Recognize career opportunites in plant production.
Understand recordkeeping procedures and how to analyze financial forms for business improvement.
Describe the environmental effects on plant growth.
Understand how to propagate plants sexually and asexually.
Understand plant nutritional needs and how to meet those needs.
Prepare and manage a marketing plan for greenhouse sales.
Costs:
2” Notebook…………………..
FFA Dues……………………..
FFA Jacket…………………….
On Your Own
$15
Bring to class by: August 21st
Due October 1st
Grading:
Quarter and Semester grades will be curved based on high score. Based on performance, students are guaranteed at
least letter grade in table below:
Percent Range
100 – 95
94 – 90
89 – 87
86 – 83
82 – 80
79 – 77
Adv Plant Science 2015-2016
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
Percent Range
76 – 73
72 – 70
69 – 67
66 – 63
62 – 60
59 – 0
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
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See Class Outline below for tentative schedule of class assignments, lab work, quizzes, and tests. In addition to
those assignments:
 SAE / FFA Record book – 200 points
 Classroom / Lab Notebook – 100 points per semester
Tardy / Absence Policy:
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Students are allowed two tardies per quarter before disciplinary action is taken & their quarter grade is affected. A
tardy is defined as failure to be within the student’s assigned seat at the beginning class bell.
Students will be given every opportunity to make-up work, provided absence was excused. Students will be given
one day for each day missed to turn in class assignments/projects for full credit. It is the student responsibility to
find out if any work was missed during absence.
During some class laboratory work, a participation or work ethic grade will be assessed. These points are only
available for the specific laboratory. These points cannot be made-up. These points will only consist of about 5%
of the quarter grade.
Class / Lab Guidelines:
1. Respect and show consideration to all peers at all times.
2. Respect the wishes of the instructor(s) at all times.
3. Treat classroom, computer lab, greenhouse lab, mechanics lab, and all school property with proper care.
4. Use of the bathroom, snack shack, water fountain, etc. must be before the beginning class bell.
5. All students must remove all ball-caps & hats prior to the start of class.
6. The use of electronic devices (phones, IPODs, etc) will only be allowed during appropriate times
7. Cursing or the use of foul language is strictly prohibited.
8. Soda or snacks are not permitted in any lab at any time
* Failure to follow class / lab guidelines will require disciplinary action in accordance with school policy
Electronic Devices
Student issued electronic devices will be utilized from time to time with-in the classroom. Students will only be allowed to
use devices during appropriate times. At no time may a student use another student’s device without permission. Only
content directly related to the curriculum will be allowed. All electronic data is run through the school’s WIFI and can be
tracked. Failure to abide by the rules and ethical use of electronic devices will be subject to the disciplinary action of the
classroom.
Class Discipline:
Class discipline will follow school policy. Class disruptions and interruptions will not be tolerated. All discipline will be
based on the severity of the offense; however I will handle classroom discipline by:
1st – Verbal warning in class / conference after class
2nd – Conference in the hallway & parent phone call
3rd – Conference with Assistant Director in the office
Class Outline:
Unit
FFA / SAE
Greenhouse
Safety
Propagation
Lesson
1: SAE Recordbook Update
1: Outline & Organization of Greenhouse
2: Greenhouse Safety Video
1: Asexual Propagation Techniques
2: Sexual Propagation
Plant Biology
1: Plant Parts, Structures, Functions
2: Plant Processes
3: Plant Life Cycles
4: Environmental Effects on Plant Growth
End of First Quarter (October 16)
Assignments/Activity/Lab
Summer Update
Points
40
Safety Video
Quiz / Lab
Lab
Crossword
Woodruff Irrigation Chart
Germination Trials Lab
Test
32
110
50
25
25
50
87
Your Grade
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Class Outline is tentative. Teacher has the right to delete, add, or amend to it throughout the school year. However,
sufficient notice will be given to students as to changes in the Class Outline.
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Soils &
Fertility
1: Soil Composition
2: Soil Types & Limitations
3: Soil Nutrients & Testing
4: Fertilizing
5: Soil Management
6: Soil Conservation
Crop
1: Planning the Crop
Production
2: Selecting a Variety
3: Selecting Tillage and Planting Methods
4: Selecting a Pest Control Program
5: Scouting & Maintaining the Crop
6: Harvesting the Crop
Precision
1: Introduction to GPS
Agriculture
2: Soil Maps
3: Yield and Nutrient Maps
4: Remote Sensing
Semester Final
End of the Second Quarter (December 22)
Business
1: SAE Analysis
Analysis
2: Proficiency Awards / State Degree App.
3: Acquiring Money (Loans, Scholarships)
Fruit &
1: Garden Site Selection
Vegetable
2: Integrated Pest Management
Production
3: Vegetable Production
4: Fruit Production
Floriculture
1: Plant Identification
2: Crop Scheduling
Floristry
1: Corsages & Boutonnieres
2: Bud Vases
3: Wreaths
End of the Third Quarter (March 11)
Greenhouse
1: Growing Media & Containers
Management
2: Irrigation
3: Fertilizers
4: Pests & Diseases
5: Pesticide Use
Horticulture
1: Marketing Plans
Marketing
Semester Final
End of the Fourth Quarter (May 21)
Worksheet
USDA Web Soil Survey
Quiz
Fertilizer Calculations
Farming Simulator Lab
Soils Test
Crop Production Game
Pre-Game Questions
Crop Production Game
Play
Article Questions
Soil Sampling Analysis
Yield Mapping Lab
Test
Exam
25
40
20
50
25
140
36
100
12
39
10
78
10%
SAE Year End Analysis
Application
Scholarship Application
50
100
Pest ID Quiz
10
Garden Plan & Calendar
Plant ID Test
Crop Scheduling Activity
Corsage
Bud Vase
Group Wreath
100
100
60
25
25
25
Worksheet Packet & Lab
Proper Watering
Worksheet
Sticky Cards
Test
Plant Sale Marketing
Materials
Plant Sale (May 6-7)
95
39
30
25
71
100
10%
Extra Credit will be given throughout the year by the instructor. Sufficient notice will be given to students as to requirements
and due date for these opportunities.
Useful Resources:
Ball, Vic. Ball Red Book. Reston: Reston, VA. 1985.
Ecke, Paul. The Poinsettia Manual. Paul Ecke Poinsettias: Encinitas, CA. 1990.
Hunter, Norah. The Art of Floral Design. Delmar: Albany. 1994.
Nelson, P.V. Greenhouse Operation & Management. Prentice-Hall.
Reiley, H. Edward and Carroll Shry. Introductory Horticulture. Delmar: Albany. 1991.
Schroeder, Charles et al. Introduction to Horticulture. Interstate: Danville, IL. 1997.
Wells, Judith and Janet Anderson. Greenhouse Operation and Management. Instructional Materials Laboratory: University of
Missouri. 1990.
American Horticulture Society: http://www.ahs.org/
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Missouri Botanical Gardens: http://www.mobot.org/
Missouri Environment & Garden Newsletter: http://agebb.missouri.edu/hort/meg/index.htm
Ohio State University Horticulture Fact Sheets: http://plantfacts.ohio-state.edu/
Rutgers Interactive Greenhouse Crop Budget: http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt/GreenhouseInteractiveForm.html
University of Missouri Horticulture Links: http://horticulture.missouri.edu/hortlinks.htm
Education Enhancement Services:
The Cass Career Center provides all students with multiple educational enhancement services including:
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Career Placement / Internship
Counselor
Learning Needs Services
Vocational Resource Educator
Scholarship Opportunities
If you are interested or in need of any of the services listed above, please inform the instructor. Every effort will be
made to ensure student success in this course.
Embedded Credit:
Embedded academic credit will be available to those students who complete a three- or six-hour CTE (Career and
Technical Education) program and specific, additional academic criteria. Harrisonville students are excluded from the
embedded credit program.
One hour of communication arts credit will be awarded to students who meet all requirements for the established
components of a portfolio. A scoring guide will assess each required element with minimum levels established.
One hour of mathematics credit will be awarded to students who meet all requirements for the established
components set by the CCC Mathematics instructor.
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Cass Career Center FFA Organization:
Enrollment in any course in the Agriculture Department gives students the opportunity and obligation to
participate in the National FFA Organization. The Cass Career Center FFA Chapter was established in 1949 to
help students build leadership, career awareness, and technical skills in agriculture and natural
resources.
The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their
potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural
education.
The Cass Career Center FFA holds many activities throughout the year to engage students in leadership and fun
activities. Some of the activities include: local, area, and state leadership workshops, National FFA Convention
in Indianapolis, IN, FFA Trap Shoot Team, hayride and bonfire, Fall Field Trip, American Royal, Western Farm
Show, State FFA Convention, FFA Banquet, Judging Teams, and the Worlds of Fun Trip. Members raise money
for these events through dues and annual Fruit, Meat, and Cookie Dough Sales.
Students are eligible to participate in many of the FFA’s award programs, based on their Supervised Ag
Experience Program. Leadership positions as Chapter, Area, State, and National Officers are also available. Four
FFA Degrees are awarded to members based on their level of participation. Also, over $3 million National, State,
and Local Scholarships are available to seniors with FFA involvement and agriculture career interest.
Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) Programs
With supervised agricultural experience programs (SAEs), a student designs a program to gain hands-on
experience and develop skills in agricultural career areas that interest them.
A SAE program is the actual, hands-on application of concepts and principles learned in the agricultural
education classroom. Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers in cooperation with parents,
employers and other adults who assist them in the development and achievement of their educational and career
goals. There are three types of SAEs available for students at the Cass Career Center:
Exploratory
Beginning students "explore" which aspect of the agriculture and natural resource industry they are interested in
through supervised study and observation. Example programs include: volunteering at a local vet office,
observing wildlife in forests, helping build a picnic table, etc..
Ownership
Students own a business, plants, or animals related to the agriculture or natural resource industry. Example
programs include: owning a horse, owning a lawn mowing service, raising quail, operating a cow/calf herd, etc..
Placement
In this SAE, students work for a business in agriculture or natural resources. Example programs include:
working at local farm, training horses, working at a local feed store, bailing hay in the summer, etc..
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Student & Parent Safety Information Contract
Cass Career Center – Agriculture Education
Mr. Marshall Streit & Mr. Jason Dieckhoff
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is enrolled in the Agriculture Education Program of the Cass Career Center. Throughout the year, your child will
be required to use and operate various tools and equipment under the supervision of certified instructors.
Instruction in the safe operation of assigned tools, equipment and procedures will be provided, and students will be tested on
the safe use of each item. Extensive precautions will be taken to prevent certain accidents, but a certain risk is involved due
to the nature of the experience and the learning environment.
Protective eyewear and clothing is required!
Please discuss with your child the necessity of observing safety policies that have been established for this program. Please
call (816) 380-3253 ext. 7812 if you have any questions or concerns. A copy of this completed form will be provided to each
student. Thank you for your cooperation.
Safety Contract Rules / Agreement for Students
I will…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
…follow all instructions given orally/written by the teacher
…wear proper protection for eyes, face, hands, and body as needed
…not eat, drink, or apply makeup in the laboratory or shop
…perform only procedures that have been authorized by the teacher/instructor
…know the location and use of all classroom, shop, greenhouse, and computer lab safety equipment and
understand all emergency procedures
…carefully dispose of all waste materials, return all tools and equipment to proper location, and sweep work
area prior to being dismissed
…behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times
Student:
I, __________________________ agree to adhere to these safety rules and any additional safety instructions give by the
instructor. I understand that I will lose daily grade points and/or possibly be removed from the course if I fail to fulfill this
agreement.
____________________________
Student Signature
_______________________
Date
Parent/Guardian:
I have read this letter and understand the risks and requirements involved in this program. I will discuss the safety aspects,
rules, and requirements of the program with my child. I understand that my child’s grade will be affected by failure to follow
course requirements.
___________________________ _____________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
__________________
Home Phone
___________________
Work Phone
Instructor:
All efforts have been made by the instructor to inform students of rules, rights, and requirements of this program.
Instructor Signature
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