HORTICULTURE 1

Teacher:          Mr. Jason Dellinger

Email:              dellingerjt@rss.k12.nc.us

Classrooms/Office: C128

Phone: 704-855-7297 ext.1177

 

Materials Needed for Class:  3-Ring Binder with Pocket, Pencil, Pen, Composition Book and Paper

 

Dear Parents/Guardians & Student:

 

Welcome to Horticulture 1!  This is a Level 1 course designed to introduce Horticulture (plant science) to each student.  The class is very broad and will cover topics such as Leadership Development, Employability Skills, Plant Growth, Development, and Reproduction, Soil Science, Pest Management, Lawn Care and Gardening.  Students will leave with a greater knowledge of the science behind a plant, how they grow, and how to have a successful crop.

 

In order to be successful in this course, students should make every effort to adhere to all expectations, classroom rules and procedures.  Please understand that I am available as a resource to help you throughout the class.  I am available for consultation every day, after school.  If you are not able to meet with me during this time, please come see me and we will set up an appointment at a mutually convenient time.  As the semester progresses FFA will require more and more of my time, however, the student will ALWAYS come first!   Please never be afraid to ask a question or for help, that is why I am here!

 

I look forward to working with students and parents together to make this a successful semester for all involved and will make necessary parental contact as needed throughout the semester to share both good news and to express areas of need/concern regarding students.  If, at any time there are questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. 

 

The Horticulture 1 curriculum will have the following Classroom Management Policy with the objective of creating a positive, cooperative learning environment for all students:

 

General Expectations

• Students must come to class prepared
• Students should arrive to class on time
• Assignments should be completed before entering the classroom
• Students should remain seated until dismissed
• Good behavior should be exhibited at all times

 

Classroom Rules

• All Rowan Salisbury School System rules and guidelines apply to this classroom
• School policies for tardiness, cuts and absences will be strictly enforced
• Please keep cell phones and all other handheld devices turned off during class
• Food is not permitted in the classroom; drinks are permitted as long as they are a bottle and have a cap.

 

 

Procedures for Assignments

·         All assignments are due on the date specified.  If an assignment is late, 10 points will be deducted from the final grade for each day the assignment is late.  Late work will not be accepted after 3 days.

·         All make-up work, including tests, must be completed within five (5) days from the day you return to school following an absence.

·         It is the students’ responsibility to check with the teacher for any work that was missed during an absence.

·         Any assignments that are not completed will result in a zero. 

 

Procedures for Tests

• Test corrections MAY be offered to regain ½ of the points back per question.  This is reward for good behavior in the classroom.  Test corrections must contain full question with correct answer and a minimum of 2 sentences why it is correct. 

 

***COPYING OR PRINTING SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK IS CONSIDERED CHEATING.  ALL PARTIES INVOLVED WILL EARN ZEROS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT.  ASSIGNMENTS MAY NOT BE RE-DONE FOR CREDIT***

 

Disciplinary Actions:

1^st Offense      Warning

2^nd Offense     Call/email to parents

3^rd Offense      20 minutes detention after school

4^th Offense      Referral to Administration **SEVERE Clause**

 

5^th Period: If need be, for every time you are called down 5 seconds will be added to the clock for the end of day, up to 45 seconds.  If longer than that, the penalty will carry over to the next day.  This will be given to the entire class, even if 1 person is causing the problem.

 

Grading

• This class will utilize the “points system.”  The total number of points has not been determined, and will likely not be determined until the final weeks of school.
  • Example: TPR-Total points received, TPP- Total points possible
  • If I gave a test for 100 points and you received a 90 on a test then you completed an activity for 30 points and received a 25, your total points would be 115/130 or 88%.  Please be aware, when you lose points it is hard to get them back.  There are limited chances for extra-credit to regain points lost! 
• The idea behind the points system is that students will ALWAYS know their grade because they can easily keep up with their grades.
• If at any time you don’t understand your grade, please ask.

 

Folders

• Students will receive their grades but immediately turn their papers back in, they will be kept in a folder in the classroom.  This allows me to show parents/guardians the work the student completed.

 

 

 

Major Grades:

• Tests- Tests will be given at the end of each unit.  Unit lengths vary, thus so will the number of points each test is worth.  One test might be worth 100 points, another might be worth 150.

 

• Quizzes- Quizzes will be given periodically when I see fit throughout units.

 

• Homework- Homework will be rarely, if ever, given. 

 

• Plant ID- Students will need a notebook for Plant Identification only.  Students will learn a certain number of plants each week and be quizzed and tested on those.  Quizzes will be open notes, tests will not be.

 

• Research Paper (extra credit only)- With help on the overall grade at the end of the semester, you may complete a research paper.  The paper must be a minimum of 7 pages, double spaced, and in 12 pt. Times New Roman font.  Citations must be given when appropriate, plus a works-cited page at the end (this will not count as one of the 7 pages.)  The topic must be related to horticulture and approved by Mr. Dellinger.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  This paper will be “graded” if the grade is below an A, the student will not receive extra-credit.

 

Time Recovery

• I will NOT stay late for time recovery.  Students will either have to make up the time with the administrators during allotted sessions or students can write a paper (2 pages typed or 4 pages written).  The topic will need to be relevant to the class the student is in and approved by Mr. Dellinger.

 

FFA-

• It is not required, but highly advised and asked that you join the Jesse C. Carson FFA Chapter.  Dues are $15.
• The FFA builds leaders for tomorrow.  Learning vital skills through teamwork, presentation skills, leadership skills, and more will benefit you for your entire life.  Also, not to mention a chance to go to Regional Rally, State and National Convention, and White Lake Recreational Center. 

 

CDE’s- (Career Development Events)-

• It is not required but highly advised and asked that you compete in a Career Development Event in the FFA.  These events will be coached by Mr. Dellinger and Mr. Silliman through the course of the year.  You will enjoy the competition on the local, state, and maybe even the national level and receive recognition and life skills you can only get in the FFA and CDE’s.