2017 – 2018
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Course Title:	Introduction to Agriscience
Course Type:	Orientation/Exploratory
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Secondary – Middle School	
Course Number	8100120	
CIP Number	01019921EX	
Grade Level	6-8	
Standard Length	Semester	
Teacher Certification	Refer to the Course Structure section.	
CTSO	FFA	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose 

This course is the first in a sequence of courses designed to assist students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and occupational goals and to provide information regarding careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource career cluster.  The content includes but is not limited to agricultural literacy, importance of agriculture, the role of science, math, reading, writing, geography, history, and technology in agriculture, plants and animals, and sources of consumer goods from agriculture. Reinforcement of academic skills occurs through classroom instruction and applied laboratory procedures. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices.

Student will learn a basic understanding of agriculture with focuses on plants, animals, and natural resources.  Students will also learn about our food system and the safety procedures in agriculture systems.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Course Structure

The length of this course is one semester. It may be offered for two semesters when appropriate. When offered for one semester, it is recommended that it be at the exploratory level and more in-depth when offered for two semesters. 

To teach the course(s) listed below, instructors must hold at least one of the teacher certifications indicated for that course.

The following table illustrates the course structure:

Course Number	Course Title	Teacher Certification	Length	
8100120	Introduction to Agriscience	AGRICULTUR 1 @2
EXP AG @4	Semester	

Florida Standards for English Language Development (ELD)
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. ELD.K12.SI.1.1 

English Language Development (ELD) Standards Special Notes:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.   For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success. The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL’s need for communication and social skills. To access an ELL supporting document which delineates performance definitions and descriptors, please click on the following link: http://www.cpalms.org/uploads/docs/standards/eld/SI.pdf.
For additional information on the development and implementation of the ELD standards, please contact the Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition at sala@fldoe.org.

Standards

After successfully completing this course, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Identify the importance of agriscience.
02.0	Identify and practice agriculture safety skills.
03.0	Describe the importance of plants and animals in agriculture.
04.0	Use selected techniques to produce finished products from agricultural materials.
05.0	Describe leadership and communication skills.
06.0	Integrate the use of science, mathematics, reading, geography, history, writing, and communication in agriscience and technology.

2017 – 2018
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Course Title: 	Introduction to Agriscience
Course Number: 	8100120
Course Length:	Semester

Course Description:

This course is the first course in a sequence of middle school agriculture study.  This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of agricultural literacy, importance of agriculture, the role of science, math, reading, writing, geography, history, and technology in agriculture, plants and animals, and sources of consumer goods from agriculture. Content of this course is focused on the introduction to the food system.  During the semester/ year students will learn about plants, animals, food systems, and natural resources.

CTE Standards and Benchmarks	
01.0	Identify the importance of agriscience – the student will be able to:	
01.01	Define agriscience and explain its diversity and scope.	
01.02	Describe the importance of agriculture on a world, national, state and community scale.	
01.03	Describe the importance of agriculture in each individual's life.	
01.04	Collect and discuss information on current agricultural events.	
01.05	Trace the evolution of agrisceince from its beginnings to current applications.	
01.06	Identify the major agricultural production areas of the United States and of Florida and the major commodities produced.	
01.07	Describe the diversity of career opportunities in agriculture and its related fields..	
01.08	Describe the relationship between natural resources and agriculture.	
01.09	Describe technology used in agricultural production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products.	
02.0	Identify and practice agriculture safety skills- the student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify procedures for safely using equipment	
02.02	Identify and use proper personal protective equipment.	
02.03	Describe proper procedures for safety in agriculture classroom/lab/farm	
03.0	Describe the importance of plants and animals in agriculture – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify plants important to agriculture.	
03.02	Identify animals important to agriculture.	
03.03	Demonstrate the proper handling and ethical care of animals.	
03.04	Describe animal rights and animal welfare.	
03.05	Compare organic farming and conventional farming.	
03.06	Identify conditions necessary for agricultural production.	
03.07	Evaluate proper health and nutrition for livestock animals.	
03.08	Compare companion animals and livestock animals	
03.09	Identify the agricultural source of consumer products.	
03.10	Trace the development of an agricultural product from the producer to the consumer.	
04.0	Use selected techniques to produce finished products from agricultural materials – the student will be able to:	
04.01	Complete a project safely using the appropriate agricultural tools, machinery or equipment.	
04.02	Prepare and process an agricultural product.	
04.03	Propagate horticulture plants.	
05.0	Describe leadership and communication skills – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Describe the aims and purposes of the FFA organization.	
05.02	Identify opportunities available to FFA members.	
05.03	Define leadership and different leadership styles.	
05.04	Define communication and identify methods of communication	
05.05	Prepare and present and extemporaneous speech.	
06.0	Integrate the use of science, mathematics, reading, geography, history, writing, and communication in agriscience and technology – the student will be able to:	
06.01	Apply basic mathematics operations to solve agricultural problems.	
06.02	Correctly use measuring devices and utilize measurements to solve agricultural problems.	
06.03	Prepare written and oral materials using correct English grammar.	
06.04	Identify the main idea in oral presentations and written materials.	
06.05	Locates, organizes, and interprets information from a variety of agricultural sources.	
06.06	Integrate the use of science, mathematics, reading, geography, history, writing, and communication in agriscience and technology – the student will be able to:	
06.07	Apply basic mathematics operations to solve agricultural problems.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Extended Student Supervision

Because of the production and marketing cycle of the agriculture industry, this program requires individual instruction and supervision of students for the entire period beyond the 180-day school year.

Special Notes 

MyCareerShines is an interactive resource to assist students in identifying their ideal career and to enhance preparation for employment. Teachers are encouraged to integrate this resource into the program curriculum to meet the employability goals for each student.  Access MyCareerShines by visiting: www.mycareershines.org.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

National FFA Organization (FFA) is the intercurricular career and technical student organization(s) providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

In addition to accommodations, some secondary students with disabilities (students with an IEP served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE)) will need modifications to meet their needs. Modifications change the outcomes or what the student is expected to learn, e.g., modifying the curriculum of a secondary career and technical education course. Note: postsecondary curriculum and regulated secondary programs cannot be modified.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml.