TEACHING AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

A LIST OF 12 CONCEPTS DEVELOPED FOR NEW YORK STATE IN 1958 SERVED AS GUIDES IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPING A COURSE OF STUDY AND TEACHING METHODS IN AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS FOR USE IN THE DAIRYING AREAS OF THE STATE. FORTY PERCENT OF THE TIME IS ALLOTTED TO THE SUBJECT IN AGRICULTURE 1 AND 2 AND 50 PERCENT IN DOUBLE-PERIOD AGRICULTURE 3 AND 4 SUBJECTS. IT WAS DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN MAKING THE DECISIONS AND PERFORMING THE OPERATIONS AND SKILLS NEEDED BY DAIRY FARM OPERATORS. THE MAJOR UNITS ARE--(1) FARM POWER AND MACHINERY, (2) FIELD MACHINERY, (3) FARM SHOP, (4) FARM BUILDINGS AND CONVENIENCES, (5) FARM ELECTRIFICATION, AND (6) SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT. THE LEVEL, NUMBER OF PERIODS, AND SEASON IS INDICATED FOR EACH SUBTOPIC. THE PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DEMONSTRATION METHODS OF TEACHING USED IN THIS SUBJECT ARE EXPLAINED. THE USE OF CHARTS AND PICTURES, CONSULTANTS, FIELD TRIPS, VISUAL AIDS, HOME ASSIGNMENTS, AND OTHER TEACHING TECHNIQUES ARE DISCUSSED. SECTIONS ON MANAGING THE AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS SHOP AND TEACHING SAFETY ARE INCLUDED. (EM)