March 9th

Students learned about different careers in clothing and textiles. They also had a fill-in-the-blank worksheet to complete and should have turned this in to the turn-in basket for points.

March 8th

We took the parts of the sewing machine quiz and students were given their CTE sewing permits to start working on and filling out. Students who passed the quiz with 8 out of 12 correct or better stapled the quiz to their CTE sewing permit and earned the first 5 points on their permits. Students who did not pass can come today (Thursday)or next Tuesday or Wednesday after school to retake it. They must be in the classroom and ready for the quiz by 2:40. We then finished crazy stitching (stitching on paper), which is the next step on their sewing permits.

March 7th

We finished learning the parts of the sewing machines in preparation for their "Parts of the sewing machine quiz" on Thursday (tomorrow). I then explained how to do the crazy stitching and demonstrated how the sewing machines work.

March 6th

Students learned about 2/3rds of the parts of the sewing machine and what they are used for. We will finish identifying the parts tomorrow (Wednesday) in preparation for a quiz Thursday on 12 different parts of the sewing machines. They will also use this information while practicing on the machines, as well as winding bobbins and threading the machines next week. On my website on the CTE games page, there is also a Parts of the Sewing machine review PowerPoint that the kids can print and cut out to use as flash cards to help them review for this quiz.

March 5th

The students collected their sewing supplies for the upcoming sewing unit and learned about the rules and expectations of their behavior in the sewing lab, as well as how they will be graded and what assignments/projects they will complete during the rest of this unit.

March 1st

Students were given a second day in the computer lab to finish their "Fabric Online" web quest paper. These are due at the beginning of class on Monday, March 5th. Anyone who didn't finish today was told that this is now homework over the weekend.

February 29th

Students researched different fabrics and textiles using a website from ThinkQuest.org titled "Fabric Online". Students were given specific questions to research and find. This assignment is due Monday at the beginning of their class period and they will have tomorrow to work on this during class as well. The website can be found at http://library.thinkquest.org/C004179/ .

February 27th

Students watched a video on how to care for fabrics and fibers titled "Clothing Care." They also had a few questions they had to answer using the information in the video. Students also put together their portfolio entry for their Student-led conference portfolio.

February 28th

Students had a lab to review measuring and reading a recipe. It was called "Oatmeal munchies" and was worth 50 points on their grade. Any student who was absent needs to get the recipe from me and make them at home and get the recipe signed by a parent or guardian, then turn it in to the turn-in basket.

February 24th

Students watched a video about My Plate, which took the place of the MyPyramid a few months ago. We discussed the changes which have taken place and how students could change their diets to align more closely to the plate. The students also had a word search to work on during the last few minutes of class, but was not turned in for points.

February 23rd

Students made the Ramen Noodle stir-fry today. The lab was worth 50 points. If a student was absent for this lab, they must make it up at home and return the recipe signed by a parent and turn it in to the turn-in basket.

February 22nd

Students made a fruit salad today using different cooking terms and pieces of equipment they learned about last week. The lab was worth 50 points. If a student was absent for this lab, they must make it up at home and return the recipe signed by a parent/guardian to earn the points.

February 21st

Students made Vanishing Breakfast Biscuits to help reinforce our lesson about the importance of reading recipes. Any student who was absent must make the lab at home and return the recipe signed by a parent stating that their student did the assignment

February 17th

Students had group pictures today for yearbook, so they watched a video on Careers in Foods and Nutrition and we discussed different careers in the foods industry as well.

February 16th

Students worked in pairs on an activity to figure out the names of different types of cooking equipment and the meanings of different cooking terms. The answers were provided at the end of class so students could see how they did. They will use this information in each of their remaining cooking labs.

February 15th

Students used their measuring skills while making a Fruit freeze. They had to demonstrate proper lab procedures and hygiene as well. Students who were not here today (for any reason) will have to make the lab at home and return a note signed by a parent saying their student made the lab in order to make-up the missing points.

February 14th

Students watched a video titled "Measuring Math" which demonstrated how to measure different ingredients and the importance of measuring correctly. The students will demonstrate what they learned when measuring out ingredients in future cooking labs starting Wednesday with Fruit Freezes.

February 13th

Students were introduced to the foods lab and were told lab expectations and rules, as well as how labs are run and where different things are in the lab. Their first cooking lab is on Wednesday and is the fruit freeze.

February 10th

Students learned about how recipes are formatted and why. We also covered the importance of reading through a recipe before beginning and collecting all of the ingredients to make sure they have them all.

February 9th

Students started learning about food borne illnesses and food safety. They watched "The Great Food Fight" and answered some questions, which we then went over and graded and discussed afterward. We also discussed food safety when cooking at home and focused on cross-contamination.

February 8th

The students took their vocabulary test for the family and independent living skills unit. It was 30 terms and definitions to match up and they were worth 1 point a piece. There is no redo tests offered on this since we had discussed it so much and told them exactly what would be on the test.

February 7th

Students met in the B202 computer lab today and had all of class time to study and review for their unit test tomorrow on the terms and definitions from this unit. They could play my jeopardy and matching games online, which are found on my website, or they could play Bingo. The test will be first thing tomorrow at the start of class!

February 6th

Students learned about the different types of play and activities they can do with young children, especially those who are preschool age when they babysit or as a possible career in the future. They took some notes as we discussed and they will use these to study for their upcoming test.

February 3rd

Students learned about the "Keys to Caregiving" which included physical, emotional and guidance needs. We also discussed their unit vocabulary test, which included specific terms and definitions, which they will take on Wednesday which students need to start studying for this weekend. They were also reminded about the three review games that are available on my website to help them review for the test.

February 2nd

Students learned about different Child Care and Child Development careers available to them, as well as what child care, day care and family care centers are and what is required to run one. They also had to write down the definitions of a child care center and a family care center.

February 1st

Each class was given the opportunity to chose how they would like to learn about child care safety and child proofing a home. They could chose from a video on child proofing and safety, a game/quiz, or doing a Think/pair/share activity using common items found around the home which may cause injuries.

January 31st

We went through the 5 steps of problem solving, which the students had to write down. We then gave some examples of how the problem solving process could be used. We also discussed family traditions, why we have them and what they are, shared some examples of our own family traditions and watched a clip from "Fiddler on the Roof" about traditions.

January 30th

The classes learned the definition of the terms self-concept and stress and we discussed ways that we can raise others self-concept as well as our own. Students then discussed how advertisers come up with packaging for products and how the way we present ourselves to others is like packaging ourselves for others. Students then created a package from a lunch sack that represents themselves and uses positive labels instead of negative. These are due at the start of class tomorrow (Tuesday).

January 27th

Students learned about and defined social skills, acceptable and unacceptable behavior and manners. They discussed what each one meant and gave examples of each. We then moved on to how this relates to the stereotypes we have and how we treat other people based on those stereotypes.

January 26th

Today we focused on non-verbal body language. Students discussed why they have to be observant when watching for body language and we discused the importance of attentive listening. They were also shown examples of Non-verbal body language.

January 25th

Students learned about six different poor communication techniques and six good communication techniques to help create effective communication with others, as well as attentive listening skills. The students need to keep these notes with them for the end of unit test.

January 24th

Students learned about the three types of communication; written, verbal and non-verbal. They also watched a video clip of each type of communication to help them remember the three types. We also discussed the importance of listening to others and watching their body language.

January 23rd

Welcome to Family and Consumer Sciences CTE Introduction at Fort Herriman Middle School. I hope that you have an enjoyable experience this term in class. In order for you to have a good time and learn, you must participate! This means that you need to participate in class discussions, activities and out of class activities which may include blogs, interviews, and a little bit of homework. Have a good time!

Today we went through the course description, gave out hall passes and late passes, created a seating chart, and went through where items are in the room as well as what CTE Intro. is.

January 19th

For the first part of class, students learned about careers in the Family and Consumer Science areas and future classes they can take in this area. Students were given their final grades and citizenship. Students were also given time to look their grade over carefully for any mistakes I may have made or computer errors. They also cleaned a part of the sewing lab.

January 18th

The students took their vocabulary test for the family and independent living skills unit. It was 30 terms and definitions to match up and they were worth 1 point a piece. There is no redo tests offered on this since we had discussed it so much and told them exactly what would be on the test.