Tuscaloosa City Schools
Westlawn Middle School
Human Services Cluster
Teen Discoveries (7 th Grade)
Fall 2011
Family and Consumer Sciences
Victoria Vaughn
Course Description:
This course content will be based upon the Alabama Course of Study: Family and Consumer
Sciences. The Family and Consumer Sciences Program begins at the middle to junior high
school level and progresses to the high school level. The goal of the FACS program is to
prepare students for secondary and postsecondary opportunities, career preparation and
advancement, meaningful work and active citizenship. This course is exploratory in nature with
an emphasis on understanding personal development and exploring careers. Course content
offers students opportunities to explore the concepts of family, personal development,
resource management (including sewing, foods, and housing), and career awareness. Hands-on
activities and experiences conducted in the classroom and laboratories are important
components of this class. Leadership development concepts and Family Career and Community
Leaders of America as an instructional system are taught as an integral part of this course.
There are no prerequisites required.
Fees:
There is a $10 class fee. This helps provide for the proper materials needed for the class. If
there are any concerns/questions please let me know.
Course Goals/Outline:
Personal Discoveries
 Describe physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence.
 Describe the process of decision making, problem solving, and goal setting.
 Explain the importance of character education for teenagers.
 Describing manners used in various settings
 Identifying grooming habits that lead to a healthy appearance
 Describing ways to show respect for self, others, and property
 Compare verbal and nonverbal communication skills used to improve interpersonal relationships.
 Determining barriers to teen communication
 Describe characteristics of healthy relationships with family and friends.
 Explaining the role of family members and friends
 Describing the significance of family traditions
 Determining qualities of a true friend
 Compare positive and negative peer pressure.
 Determining causes of teen conflict
Food and Wellness Discoveries
 Explain the importance of diet, exercise, and rest for teen health.
 Prepare nutritious snacks.
 Practicing safety and sanitation techniques in the laboratory
 Using kitchen equipment in a correct manner
 Comparing the nutritive value and cost of various foods
 Demonstrate basic table-setting skills.
Consumer Discoveries
 Describe ways teenagers can become wise consumers.
Examples: savings, needs versus wants, conserving resources and energy
 Identifying the role of media in the dissemination of consumer information
 Describe time management tools and techniques.
Clothing Discoveries
 Determine factors that influence teen clothing selection.
Examples: individualism, trends, cost, maintenance
 Practice basic sewing skills.
 Utilizing sewing equipment in a safe and correct manner
 Describe appropriate care of clothing.
 Identifying laundering techniques
 Explaining how to store clothes properly
Child Care Discoveries
 Explain responsibilities involved in babysitting related to age, safety, and health of the child.
 Describe the importance of play to child development.
Housing Discoveries
 Explain how housing meets the needs of individuals and families.
 Describing ways to arrange or organize teen living space
 Determine procedures for basic household maintenance and safety.
Technology and Career Discoveries
 Determine ways technology improves and impacts the lives of teens.
 Describe factors that impact choosing a career.
Essential Questions:
1. What are concepts that define personal discoveries?
2. What are proper practices to use with food and wellness discoveries?
3. What are the best ways to be ready for consumer discoveries?
4. What are the basic steps to clothing discoveries?
5. Why is it important to understand the proper care for children in child care
discoveries?
6. How is it important to know organizational skills and have safety plans in
the home?
7. What are some factors that impact choosing a career?
Culminating Products:
1. Students keep a journal that describes personal discoveries.
2. Students create a meal that is healthy and nutritious.
3. Students design the proper way to set a table.
4. Students create a budget that considers needs and wants.
5. Students perform basic sewing skills.
6. Students evaluate the proper techniques to use when taking care of a child.
7. Students research the type of home they would like to have and write a
description of how to provide for the daily/weekly/monthly responsibilities.
8. Students utilize technology to research careers that interest their personality.
Textbook:
There will be no distribution of textbooks. A classroom set remains in the department for
student use. If a student is absent, he/she will have to check out a book from the teacher.
Supplies:
3 Ring Binder/Notebook/Folder with Prongs
Composition Notebook
*If there are any questions about the supplies, feel free to ask me.
Assessment Procedures:
Student’s work will be evaluated as follows:
Course Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria
Percentage Value
Projects
35%
Exams
20%
Culminating Product
20%
Daily Participation
15%
Homework
10%
TOTAL
100%
Grading Scale:
90% - 100% =
80% - 89% =
70% - 79% =
60% - 69% =
Below 59% =
A
B
C
D
F
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA):
All students will participate in this service organization as part of the class curriculum.
Character Education, Leadership, and Service Learning are integrated into the curriculum.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
I hold high expectations for each and every student. I believe that each student has the
potential to achieve his or her goals. I will be RESPECTFUL and FAIR with each student. Also, I
expect to be treated with RESPECT. I am your teacher. I am here to help students learn
important life skills.
Classroom Rules:
1. Follow school policy at all times.
2. Be Responsible, Respectful, and Resourceful.
3. Always bring proper supplies/materials to class.
-Notebook-3 Ring Binder, Pencil/Pen, Reading Book
4. Always use safety skills when in the kitchen and sewing labs.
-Absolutely NO horse play
Classroom Consequences:
1. Name written down=WARNING
2. Check mark by name=2ND STRIKE CALL HOME
3. Circle around name=3RD STRIKE STUDENT CALL HOME/RESEARCH PAPER**
**Teacher write up-Student/Teacher Copy-Signatures
**Research Paper will be on a topic related to Family and Consumer Sciences!!
-Nutrition, Child Development, Consumerism, Clothing, etc.
4. Written up for the misbehavior
Classroom Routines/Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Arrive on time for class. (In your seat!)
Place all bags, purses, etc. under your chair.
Bell work-There will be a short assignment for the beginning of the period.
Exit work-Write down three things learned in class and turn in as you exit.
-Please push your chair under the table and clean up your mess.
5. Turn in classwork, homework, etc. into the correct tray.
6. Keep up with all classwork for an easy 100 grade! (Notebook Check)
7. Make-up Folder: Anyone that has missed a day can find the make-up work in this folder.
8. Textbooks-Share! If you need to take one home, you have to check it out with me!
9. You will have your own storage container for class assignments.
10. Act appropriately in the cooking and sewing labs!
11. Leaving the classroom during the period-Correct procedure ONLY!
12. Technology-Only allowed for class assignments!
13. Super Kid-Pictures, say cheese!
14. Extra costs for supplies in class.
15. FCCLA-Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
16. Wiki page: http://facsroundtable.wikispaces.com (Work In Progress)
-Documents will be uploaded to our class web page
-If you lose something you will find it here!
17. Fire Drills
18. Tornado Drills
19. Other Precautionary Drills
*TAKE ALL DRILLS VERY SERIOUSLY!!*
20. EVERYONE is A part of the learning environment!
**BY GETTING INTO A ROUTINE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A FUN-FILLED
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND WE’LL HAVE A GREAT TIME!!**
I, ____________________________________, have read and understand all of the
information provided in this syllabus. I have had the opportunity to read this over and ask
Ms. Vaughn any questions I may have about this syllabus. I recognize there are rules to abide
by, and if I do not follow them there are consequences. Also, I am aware of the classroom
procedures/routines, and I know what Ms. Vaughn expects of me as a student.
I, ____________________________________, am the parent/guardian of
______________________________________. I have been shown the syllabus and
understand all of the contents addressed in this document.
(Teacher’s signature)
Date
(Student’s signature)
Date
(Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature)
Date