AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS I (721)
Course Syllabus
2008-2009
Room 1510
Mr. David Bittner, Agriculture Teacher
Email: david_bittner@etownschools.org
Phone: 367-1533 x1319
OFFICE HOURS
M-F till 3:30 PM
By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will cover the operation, maintenance, repair, and servicing of small
gasoline engines. Students will disassemble, troubleshoot and reassemble several
Briggs & Stratton 3-6 horsepower engines. The course will also introduce students to
electric arc welding and oxyacetylene gas welding. Students will complete classroom
lessons and hands-on applications of basic welder operation, welding safety, types of
welds, welding positions, and heating, bending, and cutting of mild steel. Basic skills will
be enriched with instruction and limited use of the plasma cutter and MIG welder.
Students will complete required welds and welding projects. Students in this course are
encouraged to join and actively participate in the Elizabethtown FFA Chapter.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will KNOW and be able TO DO the following as a result of taking this course:
A. Identify the strokes of a 4-stroke and 2-stroke engine.
B. Explain the principles of engine operation.
C. Identify and describe the function of parts of a small gas engine.
D. Identify the tools/equipment used to work on small gas engines.
E. Describe the function of the tools/equipment used to work on small gas engines.
F. Accurately measure small gas engine parts.
G. Disassemble, troubleshoot, and reassemble a small gas engine.
H. Perform routine maintenance on small gas engines.
I.
Recommend replacement parts for small gas engines.
J.
Identify the safety rules to follow when working with small gas engines.
K. Identify the various types of welding.
L.
Identify the parts of electric and oxyacetylene gas welders.
M. Describe safety rules to follow when using various welding tools and equipment.
N. Demonstrate welding skills in various welding positions.
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O. Properly select welding equipment including electrodes.
P. Cut metal using the oxyacetylene torch.
Q. Follow a set of plans/blueprints to construct welding projects.
R. Use measuring tools/equipment to lay out welding projects.
S. Properly finish welding projects (painting, etc.).
COURSE OUTLINE
1.
Welding Safety
2 weeks
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Hazards, Prevention and Shop Safety
2.
Welder Selection and Operation
2 weeks
Types of Welders
Types of Welds
Reading Blueprints and Symbols
Electricity Review
3.
Process Welding (Application)
5 weeks
Electric Arc Welding Process
Oxyacetylene Welding Process
Oxyacetylene Cutting
4.
Engine Theory/Operation
2 weeks
Principles of Engine Operation
Parts and Functions
Measuring and Measuring Instruments
5.
Engine/Equipment Maintenance and Service
2 weeks
Engine Disassembly
Engine Re-assembly
6.
Engine Troubleshooting
2 weeks
Repair and Service
Preventative Maintenance
7.
Welding Project Design and Construction
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1 week
LAB FEE
A $25.00 non-refundable lab fee will be charged to each student enrolled in Agricultural
Mechanics I to cover the cost of additional materials needed for student projects. The
fees will be used to cover the cost of materials for the following projects:
Horseshoe Nail Cowboy
Spark Plug Racecar
Bolt Tractor
Lawn Mower/Snow Blower Service Project
C-Clamp Project
The $25.00 lab fee is due Monday, February 2, 2009 in the form of cash or
check/money order made payable to Elizabethtown Area High School.
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
Students will be assessed through a variety of means to evaluate knowledge,
understanding, and achievement throughout the course. These will include:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Tests and Quizzes
Projects
Presentations
Notebook/Recordbook
Class Assignments
Practicums
Final Exam
Grades are calculated as Total Points Earned as a percentage of Total Points Possible
for each marking period and then converted to whole number percentages used on
report cards. Class grades will be updated at the end of each week to allow students to
monitor personal progress. If there is ever a question about current grades or grading
procedures, students should see the teacher during office hours to discuss student
progress.
NOTEBOOK REQUIREMENTS
Each student will maintain an Agricultural Mechanics notebook. This resource, as well
as your textbooks, will serve as primary resources and study materials for the course.
All notes, handouts, worksheets, projects, quizzes, tests and graded assignments will
be kept in the notebook.
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Notebook materials must organized in a three-ring binder and divided into appropriate
sections. Periodic notebook checks will be performed to assure notebook is updated
and organized. Notebooks will also be graded twice during each marking period
according to the attached rubric.
MAKE-UP WORK
Make-up work is YOUR responsibility, not mine! Students who are absent or miss a
class must check with me immediately to obtain missed assignments, handouts and
worksheets. It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on any notes missed in
class that day. If a student misses a quiz, test, or lab activity they must see me
immediately to schedule a make-up.
Please inform me of planned absences as soon as possible and I will do my best to get
you your work ahead of time. Since we are on a block schedule, one class absence is
technically equal to two class periods. Remember, according to district policy, students
have only three (3) school days to make up worked missed due to absence.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
These are the minimum expectations that I have of students in all my classes. This list
is not all-inclusive and is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
1.
Come to class on time and remain in class until dismissed by the teacher.
2.
Be respectful to the teacher, classroom guests, and each other at all times.
3.
Come prepared with the required materials each day. This includes:
i. Pen/Pencil
ii. Notebook
iii. Class Assignments, Labsheets, or Projects (due or in progress)
iv. Appropriate dress and equipment for the day’s activities
4.
Conduct yourself in a safe and appropriate manner at all times in the
classroom and laboratory areas.
5.
Abide by all school rules and policies.
6.
Abide by all rules/procedures outlined in the Student Safety Contract.
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