UNIT OF STUDY: Seventh Grade Exploratory Agriculture
Junior High Exploratory Course
Career Field: Environmental and Agricultural Systems
Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
UNIT OF INSTRUCTION / SPECIFIC CONCEPTS OR SKILLS TO LEARN / LINKS TO LEARN / RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES
Hunter Safety / Hunter Responsibility
  1. Hunter Code of Ethics
  2. Hunter Rights and Privileges
  3. Five Stages of a Hunter
  4. Hunter Responsibility for Land Ethics
Wildlife Conservation and Management
  1. Wildlife Habitat
  2. Wildlife Carrying Capacity
  3. Wildlife Population Dynamics
  4. Wildlife Management Tools
  5. Principles of Wildlife Management
Firearms
  1. Rifle Safety
  2. Firearm Parts
  3. Shotgun Safety
  4. Ammunition Safety
  5. Types of Ammunition
  6. Firearms Handling and Safety
  7. Transporting Firearms
  8. Safe Shooting Zones
  9. Firearm Safety in the Home
  10. Cleaning and Storing Firearms
  11. Vital Areas of Game
/ Nebraska Hunter Education Curriculum
Hunter Education Independent Study Guide
Agricultural Literacy / Agricultural Terminology
  1. Develop a vocabulary of agricultural terms in the following areas: Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, Farm Management, and Agricultural Mechanics.
/ The Agricultural Dictionary
Farm Safety / General Farm Safety
  1. Identify the dangers and risks associated with production farming.
  2. Develop an action plan to prevent farm accidents.
Tractor Safety
  1. Identify the parts of a tractor.
  2. Demonstrate how to start and shut off a tractor.
  3. Demonstrate how to drive a tractor in forward and reverse.
ATV Safety
  1. Identify the dangers and risks associated with ATVs.
  2. Demonstrate how to start and shut off an ATV.
  3. Demonstrate how to drive an ATV in forward and reverse.
  4. List protective clothing needed to operate an ATV.
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Farm & Ranch Safety Management
Introduction to the National FFA Organization / Exploring the History and Organization of FFA
  1. Explain how, when, and why the FFA was organized.
  2. Explain the mission and strategies, colors, motto, parts of the emblem, and the organizational structure of the FFA.
  3. Recite and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed.
  4. Explain the purpose of a Program of Activities and its committee structure.
Discovering Opportunities in the FFA
  1. Describe how the FFA develops leadership skills, personal growth, and career success.
  2. Identify major state and national activities available to FFA members.
Determining FFA Degrees, Awards, and Career Development Events
  1. Explain the four FFA degree areas.
  2. Identify the FFA proficiency awards.
  3. Explain various team and individual Career Development Events.
/ National FFA Handbook
National FFA Manual

CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriculture in the United States / Nebraska Agriculture
  1. Identify Nebraska’s livestock rankings in Beef, Swine, and Sheep.
  2. Identify Nebraska’s crop rankings in Corn, Soybeans, Winter Wheat, and Grain Sorghum.
  3. Understand the importance of agriculture to Nebraska’s Economy.
  4. Understand the topography of Nebraska.
United States Agriculture
  1. Identify the top five states ranking in beef, dairy, swine, sheep and poultry products.
  2. Identify the top five states ranking in corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum.
  3. Understand the importance of agriculture to the United States Economy.
  4. Understand the topography of the United States.
/ USDA Internet Website
Activity – Create a Power Point
UNIT OF STUDY: Eighth Grade Exploratory Agriculture
Junior High Exploratory Course
Career Field: Environmental and Agricultural Systems
Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
UNIT OF INSTRUCTION / SPECIFIC CONCEPTS OR SKILLS TO LEARN / LINKS TO LEARN / RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES
Introduction to the National FFA Organization / Determining the Benefits of an SAE
  1. Explain the importance of goals and career ladders.
  2. Define supervised agricultural experience.
  3. Explain the benefits of supervised agricultural experience programs.
Determining the Kinds of SAE
  1. Explain the difference between entrepreneurship and placement Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.
  2. Explain the characteristics of a good SAE program and student responsibilities.
Researching Possible SAE Programs
  1. Identify career interest areas in agriculture.
  2. Identify skills needed for career success.
  3. Explain opportunities for SAE programs.
Planning Your SAE Program
  1. Identify the steps in planning an SAE Program.
  2. Identify the parts of an annual SAE program plan.
  3. Discuss the function of a training plan and /or agreement in an SAE program
Implementing SAE Programs
  1. Discuss the importance of keeping records on an SAE program.
  2. Explain the types of financial records needed to support a chosen SAE program.
  3. Identify standards to follow in keeping records on an SAE program.
Keeping and Using SAE Records
  1. Explain how SAE records are organized.
  2. Identify the procedures to making entries in the SAE records.
  3. Explain how to summarize and analyze the SAE records.
MakingLongRange Plans for Expanding SAE Programs
  1. Identify the factors that should be considered in expanding an SAE program.
  2. Explain how placement and ownership SAE programs may be expanded.
/

National FFA Handbook
National FFA Official Manual
Agricultural Careers / Nebraska Career Connections
  1. Introduce students to career opportunities in agriculture.
  2. Discuss the importance of education in career choices.
  3. Develop a four year high school educational plan and class schedule.
  4. Complete interest surveys to help determine a career path.
  5. Complete short term, intermediate and long term educational goals.
  6. Complete short term, intermediate and long term personal goals.
  7. Complete an agricultural career report.
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Introduction to Welding / Applying Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Techniques
  1. Explain the fundamentals and developments of shielded metal arc welding.
  2. Describe how to select shielded metal arc welding equipment and supplies.
  3. Explain how to prepare metal for welding.
  4. Describe the procedures and techniques for shielded metal arc welding.
  5. Identify the safety practices that should be observed when working with shielded metal arc welding.
Applying Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding Techniques
  1. Explain the advantages of the metal inert gas (MIG) welding process.
  2. Describe the equipment, types of shielding gases, and electrodes used in the MIG welding process.
  3. Describe the types of metal transfer patterns used in MIG welding and relate their applications.
  4. Describe the correct techniques for starting, controlling, and stopping an MIG bead.
  5. Explain how to adjust and maintain the MIG welder.
Identify safety practices that should be observed in MIG welding. / CAERT – Agricultural Mechanics & Technology Lesson Plan Library
Animal Science / Breeds of Livestock
  1. Describe the characteristics of the various breeds of beef cattle, giving their origin and breed characteristics.
  2. Identify the various breeds of beef cattle by viewing pictures or live animals.
  3. Identify the major breeds of swine by body characteristics.
  4. Identify the various breeds of swine by viewing pictures or live animals.
  5. Identify the common breeds of sheep.
  6. Identify the various breeds of sheep by viewing pictures or live animals.
  7. Identify the common breeds of horses.
  8. Identify the various breeds of horses by viewing pictures or live animals.
  9. Identify the common breeds of poultry.
  10. Identify the various breeds of poultry by viewing pictures or live animals.
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Modern Livestock & Poultry Production
CAERT – Animal Science Lesson Plan Library
UNIT OF STUDY: Introduction to Environmental and Agricultural Systems (Agriscience)
CLASS: 9, 10, 11, 12
Foundation Course
Career Field: Environmental and Agricultural Systems
Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Career Pathway:
UNIT OF INSTRUCTION / SPECIFIC CONCEPTS OR SKILLS TO LEARN / LINKS TO LEARN / RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES
Recognizing the Role of Agriculture in Society / Determining the History of Agriculture
  1. Define agriculture and explain agriculture industry.
  2. Identify important agricultural developments that occurred in early American history.
  3. Explain the major technological developments that have occurred in agriculture.
Understanding the Importance of Agriculture to Society
  1. Define quality of life.
  2. Discuss modern agriculture’s role in basic human nutrition.
  3. List agricultural products used to provide food.
  4. Identify agricultural products used to provide clothing.
  5. Identify agricultural products used to provide human shelter.
Determining Trends in Agriculture
  1. Identify current trends in animal agriculture.
  2. Identify 20th Century trends in plant agriculture.
  3. Explain historical events and trends that have led to the development of today’s agriculture industry.
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Identifying the Relationship Between Agriculture and the Environment / Determining the Kinds and Importance of Natural Resources
  1. Describe the environment.
  2. Explain natural resources and list examples.
  3. Contrast and compare renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
  4. Describe the ways natural resources are important to agriculture.
Understanding Ecosystems
  1. Explain the role of ecology in the environment.
  2. Describe community organization, structure, and food chains.
  3. Describe natural selection and succession.
  4. Explain homeostasis.
  5. Identify population ecology and trends affecting population growth.
  6. Identify and distinguish between biomes.
Determining Sources of Environmental Pollution
  1. Describe environmental pollution.
  2. Identify the major sources of air pollution.
  3. Explain the major sources of water pollution.
  4. Describe the major sources of agricultural pollution.
Selecting Methods of Waste Disposal
  1. Describe and identify sources of waste.
  2. Explain how waste materials may be reduced and/or reused.
  3. Assess ways to dispose of solid wastes.
  4. Describe wastewater treatment methods.
  5. Explain manure management practices.
Determining How to Prevent Agricultural Pollution
  1. Explain how agriculture pollutes the environment.
  2. Explain how soil conservation can reduce environmental pollution.
  3. Describe the role of livestock production in polluting the environment and the methods used to prevent it.
  4. Describe how pesticide damage to the environment can be prevented.
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Describing the World Food and Fiber System / Understanding World Agricultural Production
  1. Identify the scope of the food industry.
  2. Identify government requirements and other assurances of food quality and sanitation.
  3. Describe various methods of food preservation.
Determining the Use of Technology in World Food and Fiber Production
  1. Explain agricultural technology.
  2. Describe technology as it relates to machinery, plants, and animals.
  3. Describe the role of computers in agriculture/horticulture.
  4. Explain precision farming and its impact on agriculture.
Determining the Role of Consumers in World Agriculture
  1. Identify the basic needs of humans.
  2. Explain the basic economic concepts of supply and demand.
  3. Describe factors that influence what people eat and use for clothing and shelter.
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Recognizing the Impact of Technology on Agriculture / Determining the Nature of Biotechnology
  1. Briefly describe biotechnology and its use throughout history.
  2. Describe the capabilities of biotechnology today.
  3. Distinguish between the two main areas of biotechnology.
Understanding the Basis for Biotechnology Research
  1. Identify and explain terms associated with genetics.
  2. Identify the components of DNA and describe its structure.
  3. Explain how DNA is replicated when cells divide.
Recognizing the Agricultural Applications of Biotechnology
  1. Explain the latest applications of biotechnology in plant, animal, and food science research.
  2. Describe the basic processes of genetic engineering.
  3. Explain the basic steps of recombinant DNA technology.
  4. Define and describe DNA fingerprinting
  5. Explain the steps in basic plant tissue culture.
Determining Future Impacts of and Concerns Brought About
by Agricultural Biotechnology Research
  1. Discuss the degree of progress made in biotechnology research.
  2. Identify issues and concerns associated with biotechnology.
  3. Discuss the potential beneficial impact biotechnology has on society.
Identifying Career Opportunities in Agricultural Biotechnology
  1. Identify career opportunities in agricultural biotechnology.
  2. Identify the preparation required to qualify for employment in the agricultural biotechnology industry.
Determining the Role of Science and Technology in Agricultural Production
  1. Describe science and technology.
  2. Identify and explain major areas of biological and physical science related to agriculture production.
  3. Describe the role of technology in agriculture production.
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Understanding Cells, Genetics, and Reproduction / Exploring Cells
  1. Describe the cell’s role as the structural unit.
  2. Identify the various components of animal and plant cells and explain their functions.
Exploring Genetics
  1. Describe how the gender of offspring is determined.
  2. Explain how genotype and phenotype are different.
  3. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative inheritance
Examining Mitosis and Meiosis
  1. Define mitosis and discuss its importance.
  2. Explain each step of mitosis.
  3. Define meiosis and explain its importance.
  4. Explain each step of meiosis.
Using Crossbreeding and Hybrids
  1. Discuss the importance of improved organisms to agriculture.
  2. Identify methods used in agriscience to improve organisms.
  3. Identify breeding systems used in animal science
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Identifying Basic Principles of Plant Science / Classifying and Naming Plants
  1. Explain the importance of plants.
  2. Explain the taxonomic classification of plants.
  3. List characteristics that determine the classification of plants.
  4. Describe how plants are named.
  5. Explain reasons for using the scientific names of plants.
Examining Plant Structures and Functions
  1. Describe the cellular structure of plants.
  2. Identify the major parts of plants and explain their functions.
  3. Distinguish between plants based on seed cotyledons.
  4. Explain the absorption and transport systems of plants.
Examining Flowers and Fruits
  1. Identify the major parts of flowers and explain the functions of the parts.
  2. Describe the types of flowers.
  3. Explain the processes of pollination and fertilization.
  4. Describe the purposes and kinds of fruit.
  5. Explain the structure and kinds of seed.
Identifying Plant Types and Uses
  1. Describe plant science and its three major areas.
  2. Identify common field crops and their uses.
  3. Define horticultural crops and describe their uses.
  4. Describe forestry and forest products.
Determining the Importance of Photosynthesis and Respiration
  1. Explain photosynthesis and its importance.
  2. Write the chemical equation for photosynthesis and explain it.
  3. Explain how light and dark reactions differ.
  4. Define respiration and explain why it is important.
  5. List four factors that affect the rate of respiration.
  6. Explain the importance of transpiration to plants.
Managing Plant Pests
  1. Describe common pests and their major classifications.
  2. Explain three conditions needed for pest problems.
  3. Describe how pests affect plants and cause losses.
  4. Explain Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
  5. Describe methods used to control plant pests.
Using Soils and Growing Media
  1. Identify the components of soil and soilless media.
  2. Describe the differences between soil-based and soilless media.
  3. Identify the elements involved in the formation of soil.
  4. Describe the process of soil sterilization.
Determining Plant Nutrients and Fertility
  1. Identify the essential nutrients for plant growth.
  2. Distinguish between micronutrients and macronutrients.
  3. Discuss the nitrogen cycle and its affect on plant nutrition.
  4. Define pH and discuss its role in plant nutrition.
  5. Explain the use of fertilizers.
Propagating Plants Sexually
  1. Explain sexual reproduction of plants and its importance in plant survival.
  2. Explain how pollination occurs and describe the different types of pollination.
  3. Explain fertilization in flowering plants.
  4. Explain the structures and formation of seeds.
  5. Describe the conditions for seed germination.
Propagating Plants Asexually
  1. Explain asexual propagation.
  2. Discuss and identify the various methods of stem cutting propagation.
  3. Discuss the methods of leaf and leaf-bud cuttings.
  4. Describe the various types of growing media used for cuttings.
  5. Describe grafting and identify three common methods.
  6. Explain layering and the difference between separation and division in plant propagation.
  7. Explain tissue culture.
/ CAERT – Agriscience Lesson Plan Library
Agriscience an Introduction
Introduction to Environmental & Agricultural Science A Nebraska Teacher-Designed Curriculum for Agricultural Education
Identifying Basic Principles in Animal Science / Identifying Differences Between Plants and Animals
  1. Explain the meaning of an organism and list its characteristics.
  2. Define plant and animal.
  3. Name and describe the life processes of living organisms.
  4. List the similarities of plants and animals.
  5. List and explain differences in the life processes of plants and animals.
Determining the Anatomy and Physiology of Animals
  1. Explain the meaning of anatomy and physiology.
  2. Explain the role of cell specialization in organisms.
  3. Describe the importance of anatomy and physiology in animal production.
  4. List the organ systems of mammals and describe the functions, major parts, and locations of each.
  5. Identify the external parts of selected animals.
Understanding Animal Reproduction
  1. Describe the importance and process of animal reproduction.
  2. List the sexual classification of animals for major species.
  3. List the parts and explain the functions of female and male reproductive systems.
  4. List and describe the phases of the estrous cycle
  5. Explain the reproductive development of animals.
Understanding Blood
  1. Define blood and explain its major components.
  2. Describe the role of blood in living organisms.
  3. Explain how an organism maintains a supply of blood.
  4. Identify the uses of blood analysis in animal production.
Understanding Animal Life Span