Family Consumer Science

Kate Duncan Smith DAR High School

Foundations in Family Consumer Science Syllabus - 2017-18

                                               Mrs. Liz Clark

email: clarke@marshallk12.org                          school phone: 256-857-5150
Remind text messages: 81010@clarkfcs          Google classroom code: khnhlc 

Course Description:

Foundations  in Family Consumer Science is a one-credit introductory course taught in grades 9-12.  This is a lecture-lab course where several topics will be introduced by the instructor and students will be taught through project based learning. Students will learn through traditional classroom activities, lab activities in all subjects, and individual projects created by the students. This course encourages critical thinking, integration of technology, safety concepts, and application of knowledge and skills related to practical questions and problems.

Content Covered:

  1. Marriage and Family
  2. Parenting and Care-giving
  3. Consumer Sciences (budgeting, finding the best buy)
  4. Apparel (sewing)
  5. Housing & Interiors
  6. Food & Nutrition (cooking)
  7. Technology & Careers

FCCLA

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national career and technical student organization. It is an integral part of the Family Consumer Sciences curriculum and provides opportunities to apply instructional competencies and workplace readiness skills, enhances leadership development skills, and provides opportunities for community service.   Students will have the opportunity to complete projects and compete in STAR Events at the state competition in Montgomery (March) and national competition (July).  There are also scholarship opportunities available through FCCLA membership and participation.  FCCLA meetings will be held during class time.  There is a $15 membership fee to join FCCLA. 

4-H CLUB

The Cooperative Extension Service sponsors the 4-H Club, which closely coordinates with the goals and content of the Family Consumer Science course.  Participation in 4-H Club has no fee and students can compete in different areas to win prize money and scholarship money, in addition to making contacts in the local business community for future employment opportunities.  Many of the class projects that we will do in FCS will be projects that can be entered in 4-H competitions such as Interior Design, Healthy Living for Life, Chicken Que, Chef 4-H, Alabama Quilters, The $15 Challenge, and Baked Foods.  4-H club meetings will be held once a month, during class time.

CLASS SUPPLIES AND FEES:

  • $30 Class Fee - this will provide materials needed for class projects
  • $15 FCCLA membership fee (optional, but strongly encouraged)
  • 3-ring binder, loose leaf paper
  • Students will complete several sewing projects during the year.  Thanks to the support of DAR ladies from around the country, we have a very well-supplied fabric closet.  However, students may wish to purchase fabric or patterns if they do not find something that they like in our free supply.

CREDENTIALING:

Students will have the opportunity to receive industry credentials when they meet certain requirements.  These credentials are recognized in the “real world” and help students find employment.  Specific details about credentialing areas will be given to students during the course. 


GRADING:

Written Tests           = 30%
Learning Projects    = 70%

All students will be expected to pass a safety and sanitation test before they can participate in lab experiences.  A score of 100% is required on the safety test for the food lab and the sewing lab.

Extra credit should not be necessary if you actively participate in class activities. Any extra credit opportunities available will be posted on the class activities bulletin board.  Extra credit may involve participating in after school hours activities.

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Be Respectful:

  • Treat everyone with kindness and consideration for their feelings – the same way you expect to be treated.
  • Everyone has the right to be heard, including the teacher.Don’t talk during instruction and don’t talk when someone is presenting to the class.
  • People and human relationships are more important than electronics.Put away that cell phone!! There will be a cell phone “holding area” in the classroom and cell phones can only be used during class time with teacher permission.
  • Clean up your work area and put things away where they belong so the next person can find them.
  • Take care of classroom materials and supplies – resources are not unlimited – don’t waste.

Be Responsible:

  • Always follow directions and safety procedures.
  • Be punctual. Be present. Be prepared.
  • Take responsibility for your actions. Do what you say you will do.
  • If you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on.
  • Do your own work! Give your brain some exercise.
  • Do work that you are proud of doing.
  • Turn in work on time.Late work is automatically 10 points off.
  • Stay on top of make-up work – if you are absent, it is your job to find out what you missed.Excessive absences will be a problem in a class like ours that is hands-on and project based.
  • Be an active participant in group work.Don’t let your group down by not contributing and not doing your part.

Be Resourceful:

  • C3B4Me - When working, utilize three other resources before asking me.Learning to solve problems is one of the most important life skills!

 

DISCIPLINE:

Something important for you to know about me is that I place a very high value on being a good, conscientious worker and believe that following and enforcing school rules is a part of my job.  So, I will enforce school policies and procedures on tardiness, dress code, the use of technology during class, etc.  It is also my job to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to learn.  If someone is causing a disruption that keeps our class from learning and being productive, then it is my job to make sure that the disruption ends. 

I like a happy, peaceful, cooperative classroom.  I don’t like yelling and fussing. I believe that most problems can be solved together, within our classroom.  However, I also believe in communicating with parents and will keep them informed of any issues and enlist their cooperation, if needed, to help us resolve any problems.  If parental communication doesn’t help resolve the situation, then I will involve our school administration.  I also believe in the use of “corrective remediation time,” or after-school detention.