TEEN DISCOVERIES- 7th Grade
“F.A.C.S. – Exploring the Pathways to Success!”
Course Syllabus 2009-2010
TEACHER:
Mrs. Briana Morton
Family and Consumer Sciences Instructor
North Jefferson Middle School
bmorton@jefcoed.com or 205.379.4000
INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY:
Students will use a variety of hands-on learning activities and class laboratories to demonstrate
knowledge of skills learned. All activities and projects will revolve around the global society and
enriching our knowledge about our self and our community. The community will play an integral part in
the learning process. Guest speakers will be incorporated when possible. Assessment will be based on
student projects, participation, written assignments, tests, portfolios and teacher observation. Students
will be given a scoring rubric when assigned a project.
PROGRAM: Family and Consumer Sciences
PROGRAM GOALS: Career empowerment through knowledge and skills.
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Teen Discoveries is a year-long course for 7th grade students. This course is designed to prepare students
for the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social changes that characterize adolescence. Special
emphasis is placed on the relationships between the students and their families, friends and
acquaintances. Topics include personal, family, and peer relationships; food; clothing; consumer issues;
child development; housing; technology; and career exploration.
COURSE GOALS:
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Describe how physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes that occur during adolescence
affect self-esteem and self-concept.
Analyze interpersonal skills needed by teenagers for success in the home, school, and community.
Demonstrate the ability to select, store, prepare, and serve nutritious foods.
Critique factors that influence individual and teen consumer decisions, including needs and
wants, budget limitations, and quality of products.
Explain ways to handle emergencies, including first aid techniques for children.
Describe career skills needed for the workplace, including time management.
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COURSE OUTLINE:
I.
Personal Discoveries
a. Changes that occur during adolescence (1)
i. Physical
ii. Emotional
b. Critical thinking processes (2)
i. Decision-making
ii. Problem-solving
iii. Goal-setting
c. Character Education for teens (3)
i. Manners
ii. Grooming habits leading to a healthy appearance
iii. Showing respect for self, others, and property
d. Communication skills to improve personal relationships(4)
i. Verbal skills
ii. Nonverbal skills
iii. Barriers to teen communication
e. Healthy family and friend relationships (5)
i. Role of family members and friends
ii. Significance of family traditions
iii. Qualities of a true friend
f. Peer Pressure (6)
i. Positive
ii. Negative
iii. Causes of teen conflict
II. Food and Wellness Discoveries
a. Teen health (7)
i. Diet
ii. Exercise
iii. Rest
b. Prepare nutritious snacks (8)
i. Practice safety and sanitation techniques
ii. Use of kitchen equipment correctly
iii. Compare nutritive value and cost of foods
c. Table-setting skills (9)
i. Meal planning
III. Consumer Discoveries
a. Teens as wise consumers (10)
i. Savings
ii. Needs and wants
iii. Conserving resources and energy
iv. Role of media in dissemination of information
b. Time management (11)
i. Tools
ii. Techniques
IV. Clothing Discoveries
a. Factors that influence teen clothing choices (12)
i. Individualism
ii. Trends
iii. Cost
iv. Maintenance
b. Basic sewing skills (13)
i. Safe use of equipment
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ii. Correct use of equipment
iii. Basic Construction Skills
c. Care of clothing (14)
i. Laundering techniques
ii. Storing clothes
V. Child Care and Discoveries
a. Responsibilities of babysitting (15)
i. Age of child
ii. Safety of child
iii. Health of child
b. Importance of play (16)
VI. Housing Discoveries
a. Meeting the needs of individuals and families (17)
i. Arranging teen living space
ii. Organizing teen living space
b. Household procedures (18)
i. Household maintenance
ii. Household safety
VII. Technology and Career Discoveries
a. Impact of technology (19)
i. Improves life of teens
ii. Impacts life of teens
b. Factors that impact career choice (20)
c. National Career Clusters
CLASS RULES: “R.E.C.I.P.E. for Success”
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R: Respect yourself, your peers, your teacher, and all classroom materials!
E: Expectations are high. This is an academic course. Expect to learn!
C: Cooperate and communicate with your teacher and your classmates.
I: Integration of other academic courses will be essential to the learning process.
P: Participation is not an option!
E: Every assignment will be graded!
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES: Students’ work will be evaluated as follows:
COURSE EVALUATION
Evaluation Criteria
Daily Participation
Projects/labs
Blue binders (random checks)
Safety exams or quizzes
Point Value
450
250
100
100
TOTAL
Grading Scale:
806-900 pts. =
707-805 pts. =
626-706 pts. =
536-625 pts. =
535-0 pts. =
900 pts.
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B
C
D
F
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ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
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What changes and challenges do adolescents face in the 21st century?
How can adolescents make healthy food choices?
What are the long-term benefits of maintaining physical health?
What consumer decisions do adolescents face in today’s society and in the future?
What independent living skills will teens need to possess in order to purchase and care
for clothing?
What basic babysitting skills do teens need to develop to successfully care for children?
How can teens organize and maintain their living space?
Why is it important for teens to understand household maintenance and safety?
How does technology influence and affect the decisions of adolescents?
What factors impact choosing a career?
CULMINATING PRODUCTS:
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Students demonstrate knowledge of good character traits by creating and demonstrating a
Puppet Show.
Students produce a Family Scrapbook.
Develop a personal wellness plan to include dietary needs, exercise, and rest.
Develop a “Going Green” project and presentation board.
Develop and implement a recycling project for the school.
Sewing projects including, knit caps for cancer patients and blankets for babies.
Students plan a children’s birthday party.
Students create their own babysitting manual.
Create a dream bedroom for a teenager.
Create a career ABC book.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION (CTSO): optional, with fee
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
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