Agriculture and Animal Science
A middle and high school (grades 6-12) Agriculture and Animal Science course designed for homeschool learners. Students reason about soil, water, and crops, care for common livestock, and engage with sustainability through structured lessons, guided practice, and real-world projects that build confidence and academic strength.
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Program Features
- Start date:
- Online
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Assessments
- Academy for Independent Study with 1 credits
Program Features
- Start date:
- Online
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Assessments
- Academy for Independent Study with 1 credits
Description
Agriculture and Animal Science is a comprehensive middle and high school (grades 6-12) course built for homeschool families and self-directed learners. Students move through eight focused modules — from foundations of agriculture to food systems and the future — gaining the conceptual foundation, skills, and confidence to succeed at the next level. Lessons combine clear direct instruction with guided practice, projects, and real-world application so learners not only know the material, they can use it.
Throughout the course, students develop habits of careful reasoning, clear communication, and self-directed study. By the end, learners are prepared to understand the food system and apply agriculture to local context, with a portfolio of work that demonstrates mastery. Agriculture and Animal Science fits naturally into a four-year homeschool plan and pairs well with co-ops, tutoring, and family-led learning.
Program Syllabus
Course Overview
| Course Code (NCES SCED): | 18001 |
| Grade Level: | Middle and High School |
| Credit: | 1.0 Carnegie unit |
| Instructional Hours: | 120 hours over 32 weeks |
| Delivery: | Online, teacher-led (not self-paced) |
| Prerequisites: | None. |
| Issuing Institution: | Academy for Independent Study (AIS) |
Course Description
Agriculture and Animal Science is a middle and high school course designed for homeschool learners pursuing a credit-bearing high-school transcript. Students engage with the material through teacher-led instruction, guided practice, projects, and regular assessments. The course is built to meet recognized academic standards and prepares students for college and career readiness.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Reason about soil, water, and crops.
- Care for common livestock.
- Engage with sustainability.
- Understand the food system.
- Apply agriculture to local context.
- Explore agriculture careers.
Course Schedule & Modules
Module 1 — Foundations of Agriculture
Time on Task: Weeks 1–4 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of foundations of agriculture.
- Apply foundations of agriculture to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of foundations of agriculture through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Foundations of Agriculture — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 1 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 2 — Soil and Water
Time on Task: Weeks 5–8 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of soil and water.
- Apply soil and water to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of soil and water through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Soil and Water — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 2 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 3 — Plant Science and Crops
Time on Task: Weeks 9–12 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of plant science and crops.
- Apply plant science and crops to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of plant science and crops through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Plant Science and Crops — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 3 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 4 — Animal Science: Livestock
Time on Task: Weeks 13–16 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of animal science: livestock.
- Apply animal science: livestock to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of animal science: livestock through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Animal Science: Livestock — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 4 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 5 — Sustainable Agriculture
Time on Task: Weeks 17–20 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of sustainable agriculture.
- Apply sustainable agriculture to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of sustainable agriculture through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Sustainable Agriculture — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 5 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 6 — Agribusiness Basics
Time on Task: Weeks 21–24 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of agribusiness basics.
- Apply agribusiness basics to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of agribusiness basics through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Agribusiness Basics — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 6 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 7 — Veterinary Science Intro
Time on Task: Weeks 25–28 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of veterinary science intro.
- Apply veterinary science intro to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of veterinary science intro through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Veterinary Science Intro — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 7 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Module 8 — Food Systems and the Future
Time on Task: Weeks 29–32 (16–24 hours of instruction and practice)
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the core concepts and vocabulary of food systems and the future.
- Apply food systems and the future to solve representative problems and real-world scenarios.
- Demonstrate mastery of food systems and the future through written, oral, or project-based work.
Key Topics: Food Systems and the Future — concept introduction, core terminology, foundational skills, and connections to prior modules.
Activities & Practice: Direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, small projects, and discussion. Students keep a course notebook and complete short weekly reflections.
Materials & Resources: Textbook chapter readings, instructor video lessons, supplementary articles, and online practice tools. Materials list is published at the start of each module.
Assessment: Module 8 assessment includes a quiz on key concepts (20%), a graded application activity or short project (40%), and contribution to discussion or peer review (10%). Cumulative midterm and final exams contribute to the remaining 30% of the course grade.
Assessment & Grading
Course grade is calculated from:
- Module quizzes and weekly assignments — 30%
- Module projects, papers, or labs — 30%
- Midterm exam — 15%
- Final exam or capstone — 20%
- Class participation, discussion, and engagement — 5%
The final letter grade is recorded on the AIS transcript using a standard A–F scale (A: 90–100%, B: 80–89%, C: 70–79%, D: 60–69%, F: below 60%). Students must earn a passing grade (60% or higher) to receive course credit.
Materials & Resources
Students will need: textbook (provided digitally), notebook for note-taking, internet access for online portal and video lessons, and any subject-specific tools listed at the start of each module (e.g., calculator, lab supplies, art materials). All required materials are listed in the course portal before each module begins.
Academic Integrity & Conduct
All work must be the student's own. AIS follows standard academic-integrity expectations: original work, proper citation, no AI-generated submissions presented as original work, and respectful engagement with peers and instructors. Violations may result in loss of credit.
Standards Alignment
This course aligns with: agriculture, animal science, livestock, farming, sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, SCED 18001 (Agriculture and Animal Science), Credit: 1.0, Hours: 120. Specific lesson-level alignment is documented in the instructor's pacing guide.