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Main Street Middle School

Family Consumer Science
7th Grade



6th Grade Computer Apps
6th Grade Parenting Unit
7th Grade Family Consumer Science
7th Grade Crafters Edge Orientation
8th Grade Crafters Edge
8th Grade Dinner Theater
8th Grade Healthy Cooking
Main Street Middle School
170 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
2007-2008

Dear Parents of 7th graders,

Seventh grade is yet another great year in the Family Consumer Science department! As sixth graders, I have often heard the students ask with great anticipation, "When do we get to use the sewing machines?" Well seventh grade is finally here, and we do use the machines, a lot!

Our seventh grade unit provides a hands-on experience through the construction of a sewing project which prepares students to be knowledgeable consumers. This unit introduces students to sewing terms and equipment, basic construction techniques, as well as how to follow instructions. Throughout the course we will be capitalizing on standards in reasoning, problem solving and personal development, as well as controlling the output using machine technology. Additional goals are for the students to learn practical skills and enjoy sewing as a hobby. Don't be surprised if your child wants to check out the machine at home, while they are learning here at school.

To reach our goals, we have used a shorts or pants project with an elastic or drawstring waist with great success and enthusiasm. Students have a choice of purchasing their own fabric or using what we have at school. The fabric available at school is a woven fabric of assorted patterns and colors. If your child would rather supply their own, check the back of this document for fabric suggestions and amount of fabric needed. It should be washed and dried, before it is brought to school. The school supplies the students with the pattern, thread, elastic and other notions as needed. The date the fabric is needed by is _______, _____, ____. The level of difficulty of this project is just right. It is challenging but not frustrating.

Another part of our program for our 7th graders is our delightful Marionette Puppet Unit. This is an integrated project with the Art and Family Consumer Science departments. Art students' design and create their puppet characters. Working closely with an art designer, the Family Consumer Science students’ design patterns and constructs costumes using skills acquired with the shorts/pants project.

Another very important part of our seventh grade year is devoted to preparing students for the eighth grade Crafters Edge program. This integrated business program involves the departments of Family Consumer Science, Digital Technology, and Art. In May, orientation to the program, job applications, and interviews are conducted and each student is matched to a position in Crafters Edge. Crafters Edge is a very challenging, unique, and real business experience for our eighth graders. Crafters Edge takes place the 1st trimester of the 8th grade year and is followed by Dinner Theater, and mini courses in Art, Digital Technology, and Healthy Cooking. We have a fantastic-challenging year planned with much to look forward to.

Irene Farrar
Family Consumer Science Instructor, 225-8644


Fabric Suggestions:


Cotton, Cotton-lycra blends, sweatshirt knits, lightweight cottons, flannel, plaid flannels, fleece

Stay away from fabrics that are both slippery and stretchy like spandex

Fabric Amounts:
 
45 inch wide fabrics
(woven)
60 inch wide fabrics
(fleece & knits)
Shorts 1 & 1/2 yards 1 & 1/8 yards
Pants 2 & 3/4 yards 2 & 1/4 yards

Fabric Stores in the Montpelier area:

Wal*Mart - far right rear corner of the store

Jo Ann's Fabrics - the far right rear corner of the store has a great selection of discounted fabrics.


Please Note:

Your child's project will be completed by the circled date below.

November 16, 2007          February 22, 2008          June 13, 2008

Knowing the time of year the project will be completed may influence your decision on pants or shorts. It may also affect the type of fabric you choose.




Currculum Objectives - Grade 7

Grade 7 – Family Consumer Science – Sewing Construction & Marionette Costume Unit

  • Demonstrate skills needed to produce and repair apparel.
  • Demonstrate skills in using a variety of equipment, tools, and supplies for textile construction.
  • Demonstrate operational procedures for controlling the output of the sewing machine.
  • Demonstrates problem solving when processing several pieces of information and representing an idea from a designer in detailed form on the marionette costumes.