February 2008

 
Dear Parents of 6th graders,
 

            Family Consumer Science at Main Street Middle School is a six through eight program which involves every student. Each year provides a different focus in the areas of Family Consumer Science. In addition to the instruction of Family Consumer Science, I had the opportunity to work with your child in our computer lab on a Computer Applications course earlier in the year. In Computer Applications, we learned about correct usage of the keyboard, formatting in Microsoft Word, and formatting in Microsoft Excel building spreadsheets. Family Consumer Science and Computer Applications are two of the sixth grade "specials" experiences. Course work in Art and Animation make up the other two sixth grade specials and is taught by Dave Aja.

              In sixth grade Family Consumer Science our focus is on childcare and our guiding questions throughout the unit are as follows:

            How do people's lives change as they prepare for parenting either through pregnancy or adoption? And,

                                    how do people's lives change once they have children?

                         What are the challenges and joys of being a parent today?

                         What is important to have in place in your life before you become a parent?

                         How do people know when they are ready to become parents?

                         What is the relationship between the egg baby project and being "real" parents?

                         What is the relationship between career, education and being a parent?

             As you know, learning about parenting is a life long journey and preparing tomorrow's parents as they grow up is an awesome opportunity. We begin this unit with an experience particularly looked forward to by the students -- egg parenting. The student's own family becomes involved in the project by becoming grandparents, aunts and uncles. Students keep journals recording their experiences, thoughts and reflections as a parent. Students are asked to take their journals home at the end of the course to share with their parents. If the journals are stored in a safe place to be looked at years from now, I am sure they will enjoy reading about this experience they have had.

             Following this experience, we prepare for guest speakers when students will have the chance to talk to people who are parents and/or work in professions dealing with children. We use this opportunity to explore careers, as well as to discuss parenting responsibilities with the people who have experienced it. The students decide who the guests will be, send out invitations, and prepare by developing questions. Many of our guests have included the students' own parents, teachers, and or friends of the family. In fact, during a previous year, Governor Dean was one of our guests. Our speakers have provided a wealth of experiences covering all facets of parenting and a great variety of careers. During the guest speakers' visits the students will process and reflect on the guiding questions for our unit thus promoting development of critical thinking skills. As a resource for parents, I have included information on the backside of this letter from the Vermont Parents Assistance Line.

            In addition with time remaining a short cooking unit takes place. We begin with a unit in food safety and then introduce the students to the organization of our FCS Kitchen lab. A few healthy snacks are prepared practicing cooking fundamentals.

            One unique feature of "specials" at Main Street is the fact that as instructors we will have the opportunity to work with your child over the course of three years. In seventh grade, Family Consumer Science students construct a pair of shorts or pants using a sewing machine and work collaboratively with art students to make costumes for the Marionette Puppets designed by the art students. The eighth grade year actively involves students in our business programs Crafters Edge and Dinner Theater, followed by a Healthy Cooking unit which culminates the student's three years at Main Street. Crafters Edge, Dinner Theater, and the Marionette Puppet Project are integrated programs with the departments of Digital Technology, Art, and Family Consumer Science.
 

                                                                                                           Irene Farrar

                                                                                                            Family Consumer Science Instructor

                                                                                                            225-8644

Grade 6 – Family Consumer Science – Parenting Unit

• Demonstrates nurturing parenting practices during the egg parenting simulation.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills that promote positive and productive relationships supporting each other during the egg parenting simulation.
• Develops a variety of questions through use of four power levels (right there, making discoveries, arriving at conclusions and critical thinking) and addressing the parenting unit's six focus questions (life changes, challenges, joys, readiness, egg-parenting connection, career and education).
• Analyzes roles and responsibilities of parenting through parent interviews and reflections.

Grade 6 – Family Consumer Science – Beginning Cooking

• Demonstrates food safety and sanitation procedures assuring personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing.
• Demonstrates skills in food preparation fundamentals.
• Demonstrates safe and environmentally responsible waste disposal and recycling methods.