FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Human Services Cluster

Family Studies and Community Service Pathway

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

COURSE SYLLABUS

WETUMPKA HIGH SCHOOL

Instructor: Monica Brown
Room: Com. 2
Phone: 334-567-5158
Email: monica.brown@elmore.k12.al.us
Website: http://wetumpka.ech.schoolinsites.com

Program Goal: The goal of the Wetumpka High School Family and Consumer Science
Department is to provide students with the skills they need in academic/technical education and
leadership/career development to become successful in the world of work

I. Course Description
Family and Consumer Sciences is a one-credit course. This course is designed to assist
students in recognizing the roles, responsibilities, and importance of the family. Course
content provides opportunities for students to explore characteristics of strong families;
family customs and traditions; healthy relationships; marriage readiness; parenting issues;
consumer behavior; clothing, housing and food needs throughout the life span; assessing
effects of technology on the family; and career options related to family and consumer
sciences and human sciences. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA),
an integral part of the curriculum, provides opportunities to apply instructional competencies
and workplace readiness skills, enhances leadership development skills, and provides
opportunities for community service.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.

Program: Family Studies and Community Services

II. Culminating Products:

Students are expected to meet all course goals and apply knowledge through real-life situations.
A variety of teaching techniques such as small and large group discussions, lecture, labs, and
independent work will be used to integrate skills such as decision making, problem solving, and
critical thinking. Laboratory experiences are essential in developing real-life skills in managing
the work of the family. The work of the family involves skills of nurturing the growth of
individuals and families and managing family life in the areas of family living and parenting,
nutrition and foods, housing, clothing, resource management. Students will engage in activities,
experiences, and assessments that deal with applying synthesizing, and evaluating knowledge
and skills. Essay tests, performance assessments, laboratory work, projects reports, products
produced, project presentations, and paper-pencil tests will be used to assess the student’s
progress in meeting course goals.

III. Course Goals

Students will:
1. Compare the stages of the life span.
2. Utilize the decision-making process to meet the needs and wants of the family
across the life span.
3. Demonstrate how to plan and prepare balanced meals for the family members.
4. Analyze ways to keep a marriage strong and healthy.
5. Analyze the rewards and responsibilities of parenthood.
6. Demonstrate basic sewing techniques, alterations, and clothing repairs.
7. Utilize a management plan to meet the needs and wants of families.
8. Compare housing needs of families across the life span.
9. Assess the impact of technology in the family.
10. Determine factors to consider in making career decisions.

IV. Course Outline: The course outlines includes the following major content:
I. Foundations
A. Skills needed to perform work of the family and provide consumer services (1)
1. Mathematical skills
2. Reading skills
3. Writing skills
4. Critical thinking skills
5. Creative thinking skills
6. Decision-making
7. Problem-solving
B. Impact of goal setting and teamwork on one’s live (2)
C. Importance of FCCLA programs (2)
D. Qualities of healthy relationships (3)
1. Effective communication skills
2. Conflict resolution techniques
3. Refusal skills

II. Marriage and Family

A. Family life cycle (4)
1. Stages
2. Issues influencing each stage
B. Dating (4)
C. Engagement period (4)
D. Factors affecting marriage and family life (5)
1. Customs
2. Traditions
3. Legislation
E. Impact of demands on marriage and family life (6)
1. Home
2. Workplace
3. Community

III. Parenting and Care giving

A. Characteristics of a quality caregiver (7)
B. Impact of parenting roles on the well being of child and family (8)
 C. Determining the needs of children (8)
1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Emotional
4. Social

IV. Consumer Sciences

A. Consumer issues related to needs and wants of individuals and families (9)
1. Budgeting
2. Establishing credit
3. Purchasing insurance
4. Investing
5. Savings
6. Reporting taxes
B. Rights and responsibilities of consumers (10)
1. Alternative solutions for filing a consumer complaint
2. Advertising techniques

V. Apparel
A. Selecting apparel and accessories (11)
1. Elements of art
2. Principles of design
B. Care of apparel and accessories (12)
C. Storage of apparel and accessories (12)
D. Basic sewing techniques (13)
E. Utilizing equipment safely and correctly (13)

VI. Housing
A. Meeting individual and family housing needs across the life span (14)
1. Housing options
2. Living space
3. Storage space
B. Selection of furniture, accessories, and equipment (15)
C. Placement of furniture, accessories, and equipment (15)

VII. Food and Nutrition

A. Value and cost of restaurant meals (16)
B. Value of home cooked meals (16)
C. Safe and correct use of equipment (17)
D. Table setting (17)
E. Etiquette (17)
F. Food preparation skills (18)
1. Planning
2. Preparing
3. Serving
4. Storing
VIII. Technology and Careers
A. Impact of technology on the family (19)
B. Impact of technology on services provided to consumers (19)
C. Development of an effective career plan (20)
D. Determine procedures for obtaining employment related to the family and consumer
sciences profession and human services (20)
Essential Questions:
 How will skills needed to perform work of the family and provide consumer services help
in every day life?
 What is the impact of goal setting and teamwork on one’s life?
 Why is budgeting important in today’s society?
 Why is it important to learn basic sewing techniques?
 How does the cost and nutritive value of fast foods differ from home cooked meals?
 How does technology affect the family?

Course Assessment Procedures: Students will receive their grades based on daily
participation, laboratory experiences, projects, notebooks, homework and test. Each
category will be equally weighted to determine the student’s final average. Course work will
be weighted as followed:
1. Tests- 60%
2. Daily Work/ Homework- 40%

Grading Scale

A—90-100
B—80-89
C—70-79
D—60-69
F—59 and below
CAREER AND TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION:
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

AVAILABLE INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS:

AAFCS- Pre-Professional Assessment Board Field FACS

Text, Fees and Required Supplies:

1. The text for this course is: Living Now Strategies for Success and Fulfillment.
2. Class Fees- $30.00.
3. FCCLA DUES- $12.00.
4. Supplies: one 3-ring binder or folder, notebook paper, and pencil or black or
blue ink pen.