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TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS (TEKS)
§119.56. Agricultural Communications (One-Half Credit).
(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 9-12.
(b) Introduction. To be prepared for careers in leadership development systems, students need to
attain academic skills and knowledge, to acquire knowledge and skills related to leadership
development systems and the workplace, and to develop knowledge and skills regarding
career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations. To prepare for success,
students need to have opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge
and skills and technologies in a variety of settings.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
(1) The student learns the employability characteristics of a successful worker in the
modern workplace. The student is expected to:
(A) identify career development and entrepreneurship opportunities in the field of
agricultural communications;
(B) apply competencies related to resources, information, interpersonal skills, and
systems of operation in agricultural communications;
(C) demonstrate knowledge of personal and occupational safety practices in the
workplace;
(D) identify employers' expectations, appropriate work habits, and good
citizenship skills; and
(E) plan and conduct supervised agricultural experience programs.
(2) The student identifies agricultural communications in relation to utilizing appropriate
spoken communications techniques and procedures. The student is expected to:
(A) identify the importance of verbal and non-verbal communications;
(B) know the importance of communicating factual and unbiased data and
information obtained from reliable sources;
(C) demonstrate speech preparation and delivery skills; and
(D) identify journalistic interviewing skills and appropriate speaking styles.
(3) The student demonstrates effective written communications skills. The student is
expected to:
(A) identify appropriate writing styles related to the delivery method and target
audience;
(B) identify bias information in written materials; and
(C) prepare a written informative report.?- 2 -
(4) The student demonstrates effective visual communications skills. The student is
expected to:
(A) demonstrate photography skills as they apply to effective communications;
(B) prepare a photo or video essay on agriculture/agribusiness; and
(C) utilize appropriate technology in agricultural communications.?- 3 -
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
AGRISCIENCE 315
Units and Topics of Instruction
Suggested
Hours of
Instruction
§119.56
TEKS
Alignment to
Curriculum
Material
A. Employability Characteristics of a
Successful Worker in the Modern
Workplace
10
1. Career Development Relating to
Entrepreneurship and Employment
Opportunities
1 (c)(1)(A)
(c)(1)(D)
8000
8373-I
2. Resource Allocation 1 (c)(1)(B) 8000
3. Information Processing 1 (c)(1(B) 8000
4. Interpersonal Relations 1 (c)(1)(B) 8000
5. Social, Organizational, and
Technological Systems
2 (c)(1)(B) 8000
6. Selection and Application 1 (c)(1)(B) 8000
7. Personal and Occupational Safety
Practices in the Workplace
1 (c)(1)(C) 8000
8. Supervised Agricultural Experience
Activities
2 (c)(1)(E) 8000, 8001
8002B, 8502
SAEP-J
315-A, 315-S
B. Agricultural Communications in Relation
to Utilizing Appropriate Spoken
Communication Techniques and
Procedures
25
1. Communicating Verbally 2 (c)(2)(A) 8741-D
2. Communicating Nonverbally 1 (c)(2)(A) 8741-E?- 4 -
Units and Topics of Instruction
Suggested
Hours of
Instruction
§119.56
TEKS
Alignment to
Curriculum
Material
3. Researching and Communicating
Factual Information
1 (c)(2)(B) 8361-A
4. Preparing and Delivering Speeches 15 (c)(2)(C) 8373-E
8373-F
5. Identifying Interviewing Skills and
Procedures
3 (c)(2)(D) 8361-B
6. Developing Your Speaking Style 3 (c)(2)(C) 8361-C
C. Effective Written Communication Skills 20
1. Identifying Your Writing Style 5 (c)(3)(A) 8373-A
8741-C
2. Targeting an Audience and Choosing
a Method of Delivery
6 (c)(3)(A) 8373-B
8373-C
3. Recognizing Bias Information in
Written Materials
3 (c)(3)(B) 8362-A
4. Preparing a Written Informative
Report
6 (c)(3)(C) 8362-B
D. Effective Visual Communications 20
1. Using Photography in Effective
Communications
5 (c)(4)(A) 8363-A
2. Preparing Video-Essays and
Photo-essays
7 (c)(4)(B) 8363-B
3. Using Technology in Agricultural
Communications
8 (c)(4)(C) 8373-H
8363-C?- 5 -
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
AGRISCIENCE 315
UNIT A: EMPLOYABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL WORKER
IN THE MODERN WORKPLACE
Topic A-1: Career Development Relating to Entrepreneurship and Employment
Opportunities
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 2 TEKS: (c)(1)(A), (c)(1)(D)
Reference(s): 8000, 8373-I
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to identify career, employment, and entrepreneurship
opportunities in agriculture/agribusiness as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability
characteristics of a successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. examine the elements and advantages of the free enterprise system;
2. explain the role of a small business in the free enterprise system;
3. discuss factors that motivate entrepreneurs and self-employment;
4. identify characteristics of a successful entrepreneur;
5. identify opportunities for business ownership;
6. explain the risk and profit motive factor;
7. explain the importance of the application of organizational policies and procedures;
8. identify ethical practices and responsibilities;
9. discuss career opportunities in agricultural related occupations and the need for continued
education for advancement;
10. identify effective methods to secure and terminate employment;
11. demonstrate effective written and oral skills;
12. follow through on assigned tasks;
13. demonstrate dependability and punctuality;
14. demonstrate productive work habit and attitude;
15. develop pride in the quality of work performed;
16. recognize the dignity of work;
17. develop skills in planning and organizing work;
18. apply required methods and sequences when performing tasks; and
19. apply principles of time management and work simplification when performing assigned
tasks.?- 6 -
Topic A-2: Resource Allocation
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(B)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to allocate resources in agriculture/agribusiness as a
means of attaining knowledge of the employability characteristics of a successful worker in the
modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. select relevant goal-related activities and rank them in order of importance;
2. allocate time to activities;
3. know, prepare, and follow schedules;
4. prepare and use budgets, including making cost and revenue forecasts;
5. maintain detailed records and track budget performance for analysis and adjustment when
appropriate;
6. acquire, store, and distribute goods and resources to make best use of them;
7. assess knowledge and skills;
8. distribute work load accordingly; and
9. evaluate performance and provide feedback.
Topic A-3: Information Processing
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(B)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to use various information processing procedures in
agriculture/agribusiness as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability characteristics of a
successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. identify need for data, obtain it from existing sources, or create it and evaluate its relevance
and accuracy;
2. organize, process, and maintain written or computerized records and other forms of
information in a systematic fashion;
3. select and analyze information and communicate the results to others using oral, written,
graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods in industry-appropriate terminology;
4. employ computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information; and
5. utilize appropriate mathematical operations.?- 7 -
Topic A-4: Interpersonal Relations
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(B)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to improve interpersonal relations in
agriculture/agribusiness as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability characteristics of a
successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. work cooperatively with others and contribute to the group with ideas, suggestions, and
effort;
2. help others learn;
3. work and communicate with clients/customers to satisfy their expectations;
4. communicate thoughts, feelings, facts, and ideas to justify a position, encourage, persuade,
convince, or otherwise motivate individuals and groups including responsibly challenging
existing procedures, policies, and authority;
5. negotiate an agreement that may involve exchanging specific resources or resolving divergent
interests; and
6. recognize concepts related to cultural diversity, and work well with others regardless of their
age and ethnic, social, or educational backgrounds.
Topic A-5: Social, Organizational, and Technological Systems
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(B)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to promote social, organizational, and technological
systems in agriculture/agribusiness as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability
characteristics of a successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. distinguish trends, predict impact of actions on system operations, diagnose deviations in the
function of the system/organization, and take necessary action to improve performance; and
2. make suggestions to modify existing system(s) to improve products or services, and develop
new or alternative systems.?- 8 -
Topic A-6: Selection and Application
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(B)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to select and apply technology in
agriculture/agribusiness as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability characteristics of a
successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. determine which set of procedures, tools, machines, including computers and their programs,
and other technologies will produce the desired results;
2. apply the proper procedures for setting up and operating appropriate technologies;
3. examine the benefits of adopting new technology in agricultural applications; and
4. prevent, identify, and solve problems in using machines, computers, and other technologies.
Topic A-7: Personal and Occupational Safety Practices in the Workplace
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(1)(C)
Reference(s): 8000
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to demonstrate personal and occupational safety in the
agriculture/agribusiness workplace as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability
characteristics of a successful worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. locate sources of information regarding relevant safety policies and regulations;
2. identify proper safety procedures; and
3. apply safe working practices to all training/working situations.
Topic A-8: Supervised Agricultural Experience Activities
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 2 TEKS: (c)(1)(E)
Reference(s): 8000, 8001, 8002B, 8502,
SAEP-J, 315-A, 315-S
Topic Goal:
The student shall be provided the opportunity to plan and conduct supervised agricultural experience
programs as a means of attaining knowledge of the employability characteristics of a successful
worker in the modern workplace.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student shall be able to:
1. identify types of supervised agricultural experience activities;
2. describe characteristics of successful supervised agricultural experience programs;
3. select, plan, and conduct supervised agricultural experience activities; and
4. prepare and maintain accurate management and accounting records.?- 9 -
UNIT B: UTILIZING APPROPRIATE SPOKEN COMMUNICATIONS
Topic B-1: Communicating Verbally
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 2 TEKS: (c)(2)(A)
Reference(s): 8741-D
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to develop and utilize verbal communications skills.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. identify legal and ethical responsibilities of speakers;
2. recognize common problems for speakers;
3. plan a speech;
4. prepare a manuscript;
5. describe the benefits and methods of practicing a speech;
6. determine the factors for effectively presenting a speech; and
7. analyze a speech.
Topic B-2: Communicating Non-Verbally
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(2)(A)
Reference(s): 8741-E
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to develop and utilize non-verbal communication skills.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s) the student will be able to:
1. describe types of nonverbal clues and their meanings; and
2. recognize the importance of non-verbal communication.
Topic B-3: Researching and Communicating Factual Information
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 1 TEKS: (c)(2)(B)
Reference(s): 8361-A
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to research and communicate factual information.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. conduct research on topics in order to give factual reports;
2. recognize communication skills needed to relay factual information; and
3. identify nonfactual information in communications.?- 10 -
Topic B-4: Preparing and Delivering Speeches
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 15 TEKS: (c)(2)(C)
Reference(s): 8373-E, 8373-F
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to prepare and deliver speeches as a means of improving their agricultural
communications skills.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s) the student will be able to:
1. recognize the need to prepare adequately for an oral presentation;
2. identify recommended steps for preparing an oral presentation;
3. prepare an oral presentation;
4. review a prepared speech or presentation for completeness of content and composition before
oral delivery;
5. recognize the importance of voice, stage presence, power of expression, response to
questions, and general effect when orally delivering a prepared speech or presentation; and
6. orally deliver a six-minute (minimum) prepared speech or presentation.
Topic B-5: Identifying Interviewing Skills and Procedures
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 3 TEKS: (c)(2)(D)
Reference(s): 8361-B
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to gather information using effective interviewing skills and techniques.
Topic Objectives:
After completing the topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. formulate a line of questioning to gather specific information from an interviewee;
2. recognize appropriate dress and appearance for various interview situations;
3. conduct an interview and gather sufficient information to write a report or article.
Topic B-6: Developing Your Speaking Style
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 3 TEKS: (c)(2)(C)
Reference(s): 8361-C
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to identify the need for the development of a distinctive speaking style.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. develop a speaking style;
2. identify factors which contribute to a speaker™s style;
3. recognize several basic needs met by a positive speaking style; and
4. present an effective oral presentation.?- 11 -
UNIT C: EFFECTIVE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Topic C-1: Identifying Your Writing Style
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 5 TEKS: (c)(3)(A)
Reference(s): 8373-A, 8741-C
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to identify his/her own writing style and use that style in written
communications.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. recognize the importance of written communications skills;
2. determine the purpose for writing;
3. outline the planning and organization of a document;
4. list basic steps to follow when writing;
5. determine if the written communication accomplishes its purpose; and
6. demonstrate improved writing skills.
Topic C-2: Targeting an Audience and Choosing a Method of Delivery
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 6 TEKS: (c)(3)(A)
Reference(s): 8373-B, 8373-C
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to target an audience, and communicate with that audience using written
communications skills.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. recognize the importance of writing skills in professional agricultural occupations;
2. restate the basic rules and steps to follow when writing;
3. identify advantages of professional writing;
4. analyze examples of professional writing;
5. apply writing techniques to a professional situation;
6. recognize the importance of personal writing skills;
7. restate the basic rules to follow when writing;
8. analyze examples of personal writing; and
9. apply personal writing techniques at home, work, school, or play.?- 12 -
Topic C-3: Recognizing Bias Information in Written Materials
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 3 TEKS: (c)(3)(B)
Reference(s): 8362-A
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to recognize bias information in written materials.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. conduct a step-by-step search of a written report in search of bias material;
2. recognize characteristics of bias information; and
3. restate basic rules to follow when evaluating written materials.
Topic C-4: Preparing a Written Informative Report
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 6 TEKS: (c)(3)(C)
Reference(s): 8362-B
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to write an informative report.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. identify an audience and their ease of reading;
2. analyze the importance of grammar in a written report;
3. describe the need for accurate wording;
4. recognize the value of appearance of a document; and
5. illustrate the need for proper organization of a written informative report.
UNIT D: EFFECTIVE VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
Topic D-1: Using Photography in Effective Communications
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 5 TEKS: (c)(4)(A)
Reference(s): 8363-A
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to use photography to enhance visual communications.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. select the correct type of camera to use by evaluating film size, viewing systems, and
features;
2. select film for specific situations;
3. describe how to correctly adjust a camera for the best performance;
4. analyze the lighting needed to produce a clear picture; and
5. evaluate the final use of a photograph.?- 13 -
Topic D-2: Preparing Video-Essays and Photo-Essays
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 7 TEKS: (c)(4)(B)
Reference(s): 8363-B
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to prepare a video-essay or photo-essay.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. describe the history of the photo-essay and video-essay;
2. select a topic for a video-essay or photo-essay;
3. document the topic of a photo-essay or video-essay; and
4. edit a photo-essay or video-essay.
Topic D-3: Using Technology in Agricultural Communications
Suggested Hours of Instruction: 8 TEKS: (c)(4)(C)
Reference(s): 8373-H, 8363-C
Topic Goal:
The student will be able to describe various types of new technologies used in agricultural
communications.
Topic Objectives:
After completing this topic(s), the student will be able to:
1. describe the advantages of video production;
2. analyze different uses for multimedia;
3. describe the problems in communication that are solved by distance education; and
4. identify several useful internet websites on the topic of agricultural communications.