Family and Consumer Science

Grade 7 Curriculum
Grade 8 Curriculum

Unit #1: Individual Growth and Life Readiness

Demonstrate introductory knowledge and skills necessary for critical thinking and understanding of self, interests, aptitudes, values, and abilities as they relate to personal development, employability, and financial readiness.

Topics covered:

Self assessment based on interest inventory and aptitude tests that help identify personal interests, aptitudes, values, and skills
Career goals based on interests, aptitudes, values, and skill set
Use the steps of the decision making process to solve a problem and apply it to multiple real world situations
Use career exploration resources and apply critical thinking to the process
Develop a career plan based on SMART goals and stretch goals

Unit #2: Human Development and Relationships

Understand how healthy individuals help foster positive relationships within family and society.

Topics covered:

Self-concept and identify factors which affect the formation of self concept
Characteristics of a positive and a negative self-concept
Ways personal image is projected to others through physical appearance, verbal and nonverbal communication, behavior, and action
Causes of stress and examine appropriate ways to manage stressors
Compare the influence of family, peers, media, and others on decision-making
Different family structures as the basic unit of society
Strategies for strengthening human relationships
Careers in human development and human services and evaluate personal suitability for these careers

Unit #3: Apparel and Consumerism

Develop the knowledge and skills needed to select, purchase, create, and maintain consumer goods and services.

Topics covered:

Role of a consumer in today’s economy
Distinguish between needs & wants with purchasing
Influences of peers, advertising and technology and the economy on consumer decisions
Apply the decision making model to examine consumer satisfaction when purchasing goods & services
Analyze consumer rights, responsibilities, and protections provided by local, state, federal, and global laws and policies
Identify common equipment and supplies used in hand and machine sewing
Basic hand and machine sewing techniques by creating or repairing a textile product
Sustainability practices for repurposing apparel items
Care label information to select appropriate procedures for care of clothing and accessories
Compare and contrast the cost of similar consumer goods
Career paths in the textiles, apparel and consumer related fields

Unit #4: Nutrition and Wellness 1

Acquire knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate introductory skills for planning, selecting, purchasing, preparing, serving, and storing nutritious foods.

Topics covered:

Washing hands properly and understand how bacteria is transmitted
Prepare a simple recipe using food preparation techniques
Accurately measure dry/solid, liquid, and small quantity ingredients
Plan a nutritious meal and demonstrate appropriate table setting
Manage individual and family resources to select and purchase food
Safe and unsafe food handling practices.
Safe and unsafe behaviors and actions within the kitchen to ensure physical safety
Proper food storage techniques for later use and to economize time and resources
Career and community opportunities in the nutrition and wellness fields

Unit #1: Individual Growth and Life Readiness

Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for critical thinking and understanding of self, interests, aptitudes, values, and abilities as they relate to career paths, employability, and financial readiness goals.

Topics covered:

Career goals
Working papers
Job application
Job references
Create a resume
Research and answer common interview questions
Use websites to answer questions about employment opportunities
Financial Literacy
Read a pay stub to include take-home pay, taxes, and FICA
Check and balance/reconcile a checkbook register
Explore a variety of careers within the 16 national career clusters
Identify alternate paths to college such as trade, military, certificate, apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship.

Unit #2: Human Development and Relationships

Evaluate the impact of the caregiver’s role and responsibilities in strengthening the well-being of individuals and families and the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional growth of children.

Topics covered:

Stages of human growth and development
Identify experiences for young children which promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development
Identify the relationships and characteristics of the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual aspects of human growth and development in a child
Identify careers in human development and human services and evaluate personal suitability for these careers.
Identify roles and responsibilities of caregiving

Unit #3: Environmental Design and Management

Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to design and manage living spaces that ensure safety, conserve natural resources, and achieve personal expression.

Topics:

Sustainability and its implications on personal choice and the global environment
Steps to reduce carbon footprint in my everyday life
Identifying and maintaining common safety hazards found in living spaces and describing ways to minimize risks to individuals, families, and household members.
Elements and principles of design into a design plan.
Careers in environmental sustainability, housing and interior design fields.