April 30th

Students made Vanishing Breakfast Biscuits to help reinforce our lesson from yesterday about the importance off 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.

April 29th

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 all of the ingredients. Students had a word-search on the eight points of a good recipe to turn in for 16 points. Most turned it in at the end of class.

April 28th

Students used their measuring skills while making Fruit freezes. 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.

April 27th

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. There were also two extra credit sheets available to the students on doubling a recipe, measuring abbreviations and equivalents. These can be turned in anytime between now and the end of the term.

April 24th

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

April 23rd

We finished discussing food safety today by reviewing the top ten mistakes people make when preparing food at home and what the students can do to prevent these mistakes from occurring.

April 22nd

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 dining out, especially at fast food restaurants.

April 21st

Students learned about some of the new technology being developed for our homes. We read "Life in a very cool lab" which students had to turn in the questions from. most finished in class, but a few had to take it home for homework. This is due at the first of class tomorrow (Wednesday, April 22nd).

April 20th

The students took their vocabulary test for the family and independent living skills unit. It was 24 terms and definitions to match up and were worth 2 points 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.

April 17th

Students learned about the "Keys to caregiving" which included physical, emotional and guidance needs. We also discussed child abuse and some off the signs caregivers need to look for. We also discussed their unit vocabulary test, which included specific terms, on Monday which students need to study over the weekend for.

April 16th

While watching a video on child care safety and childproofing a home, students had to identify at least 5 safety precautions or safety items they currently have at home. Afterward, students had to analyze 5 ways they can eliminate safety hazards at home. It was worth 10 points and is due at the end of class tomorrow. I also reminded the class about their Unit test on Monday. I went through the test and told students exactly what terms and definitions will be on the test so they knew what to study. There are 24 terms/definitions and the students have to match the correct term to the definition. It is worth 48 points.

April 15th

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."

April 14th

Students discussed what a family is, as well as different family types. They also watched a video about this. Their personal label bag from last Wednesday was also due in to the basket today.

April 8th

The classes learned the definition of the term self-concept 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 to 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 on Tuesday, April 14th.

April 7th

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 friendships and finding good friends. They also completed a circle graph which listed the personality characteristics they want in a best friend.

April 6th

Today, students learned about stress reducers. I provided a number of different stress reducers and the class shared ways they prefer to reduce their stress. The class also practiced relaxation techniques during the last few minutes of class using a prerecorded relaxation tape.

April 3rd

Today, students learned about stress, stressors, distress and eustress. All of the terms were defined, explained and discussed as a group. We then watched a video on stress. The notes/definitions will be used on the families and independent living skills unit test.

April 2nd

Students discussed attentive listening, as well as what attentive listening looks, feels and sounds like as well as what it doesn't look, feel and sound like. They also had an activity on attentive listening.

April 1st

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