Family and Consumer Sciences I
Content Guideline
(The student will be able to. . .)
Unit One
Personal Development
1. Describe the changes that take place during adolescence.
2. Explain how personality is expressed and analyze the factors that
influence personality.
3. Compare and contrast self-concept and self-esteem.
4. Explain the concept of wellness.
a. Differentiate between health and wellness.
b. Determine things you can do to promote wellness.
5. Explain the nature of stress.
a. Describe common causes of stress.
b. Describe some healthful and unhealthful ways of coping with stress.
6. Discuss qualities of good character.
7. Explain what values are.
a. Determine how values affect our goals in life.
b. Describe the influences on values.
8. Establish how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and how prejudice can have
harmful social effects.
9. Explain why goals are valuable.
a. Distinguish between short-term and long-term goals.
b. Distinguish between fixed and flexible goals.
10. Explain how to set effective goals and use resources available to achieve
those goals.
11. Examine the difference between wants and needs.
12. Explain some of the ways in which people make decisions.
a. Identify and use a decision-making model.
b. Predict the implications of decisions.
13. Define conflict.
a. Explain what causes conflict.
b. Demonstrate the steps in conflict resolution.
14. Identify the skills necessary to be a good leader or follower.
Unit Two
Relationships
1. Distinguish among different kinds of roles/relationships.
a. Describe the expectations of those roles/relationships.
b. Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
c. Explain how to build positive relationships.
2. Define and demonstrate verbal and nonverbal communication.
3. Distinguish between “I” messages and “you” messages.
4. Apply active listening techniques and describe how to give active feedback.
5. Identify some of the positive and negative peer pressure influences and
develop strategies for managing peer pressure.
6. Define family and explain how family structure changes throughout the life
cycle.
7. Explain the basic functions of the family and its role in society.
8. Explore the factors and identify resources that contribute to strong
family units.
9. Formulate strategies for balancing family life with other responsibilities.
10. Explain why family problems need to be addressed and describe some
productive and unproductive responses to family problems.
11. Discuss ways to develop friendships and positive approaches to dealing
with problems in friendships.
12. Explain the value of having friends of different ages, backgrounds and
abilities.
13. Compare and contrast peer group friendships with cliques.
14. Explain appropriate dating behavior.
15. Examine some of the advantages and disadvantages of dating one person
exclusively.
16. Describe responsible attitudes and approaches to sexual situations and
feelings.
17. Explain what to consider before a marriage commitment.
Unit Three
Human Development and Care
1. Analyze the responsibilities and rewards of caregivers for promoting the
development of children and indicate who could fulfill that role.
2. Describe the personal characteristics and skills of effective caregivers.
3. Explain the stages and principles of child development.
a. State the approximate ages during which each stage normally occurs.
4. Summarize the physical, mental, social, and emotional developments that
normally take place during each stage and suggest ways to meet those needs.
5. Give specific examples of children with special needs and how they can be
accommodated.
6. Evaluate developmentally appropriate guidance techniques for children.
7. Explain the responsibilities of caregivers for maintaining the safety of
children.
8. Explain how playing helps children grow physically, mentally, socially,
and emotionally.
9. Compare and contrast active and quiet play.
10. Identify appropriate play and toy selection for each stage of development.
11. Explain what is meant by emotional, physical, financial, and personal
readiness for parenthood.
12. Describe the special problems teen parents face.
13. Explain the importance of older persons and what they can contribute.
14. Explain some of the problems that older persons face and options for
their care.
15. Identify resources for promoting the health and well-being of children,
including those in crisis or with special needs and older persons.
Unit Four
Management and Consumer Decisions
1. Determine the types of resources available and how to use them effectively.
2. Summarize the benefits and utilize tools of time management.
3. Analyze the impact of technology on consumer-buying practices and options.
4. Describe the benefits of managing and saving money.
a. Identify sources of income and types of spending.
b. Create and follow a budget for money management.
c. Describe various options for saving.
5. Explain what credit is, the types available, and how to use credit wisely.
6. Explain the purposes, benefits, and types of advertising.
a. Describe the types of advertising media.
b. Contrast the basic types of advertisements and explain the different
advertising techniques.
c. Evaluate advertisements using consumer strategies.
7. Analyze consumer-buying techniques that promote effective utilization of
resources.
a. Develop comparison-shopping strategies.
b. Discuss factors to be considered when you purchase a product.
c. Explain some major pitfalls that consumers should avoid when shopping for
products.
i. Impulse buying
ii. Buying out of habit
iii. Buying products just because on sale
8. Discuss consumer rights and responsibilities.
a. Describe the six rights of consumers.
i. The right to safety
ii. The right to be informed
iii. The right to choose
iv. The right to redress
v. The right to consumer education
vi. The right to be heard
b. Describe the responsibilities of consumers.
c. Explain ways to make a complaint.
d. Describe sources of help for consumers.
Unit Five
Nutrition and Foods
1. Analyze the effects of dietary practices on wellness.
a. Explain the physical, emotional, and social needs satisfied by food.
b. Explain the factors that influence food choices.
c. Analyze eating patterns.
2. Discuss the six classes of nutrients and their functions, and identify
good sources of each.
3. Identify the major food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid.
a. Outline the nutrients supplied by each.
b. Identify the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and explain how they
contribute to good health.
4. State the benefits of fitness.
a. Identify the factors that determine an individual’s healthy weight and
those that affect weight loss and gain.
b. Analyze the problems and characteristics associated with eating disorders.
5. Identify healthy eating patterns for the different life stages and people
with special dietary needs.
6. Describe some of the factors to consider when planning meals.
a. List ways to make meals appealing.
i. Flavor
ii. Color
iii. Texture
iv. Shape and size
v. Temperature
b. Explain strategies for choosing recipes.
7. Explain how food shoppers can get the most value for their money.
a. Judge the quality and freshness of foods.
b. Interpret product labeling to get the most nutritious foods.
8. Explain the importance of kitchen safety, sanitation, and careful food
preparation procedures.
9. Describe types and safe use of equipment, tools, and utensils.
10. Demonstrate how to measure liquid and solid ingredients.
11. Use measurement abbreviations and equivalents in food preparation.
12. Interpret and follow a recipe.
a. Define the various terms commonly used in recipes.
b. Describe the different formats or styles in which recipes are written.
c. Adapt recipes for smaller or greater amounts.
13. Describe and demonstrate basic food preparation techniques to achieve
quality standards and preserve nutritive value.
a. Create a work plan and explain why it is useful.
b. Compare and contrast different methods of cooking using moist heat, dry
heat, fat, and the microwave.
14. Identify and select foods from each food group of the Food Guide Pyramid.
a. Explain how to store foods from each food group properly.
b. Demonstrate the best methods for preparing foods from each food group.
15. Demonstrate table manners and etiquette appropriate for a variety of
occasions.
a. Specify serving styles.
i. Family style service
ii. Plate service
iii. Buffet service
b. Arrange place settings for various situations.
Unit Six
Clothing and Textiles
1. Explain the various factors that influence clothing choices.
2. Establish guidelines for choosing appropriate clothing.
3. Summarize the basic elements and principles of clothing design.
4. Identify the steps in taking a clothing inventory.
5. Explain how to make the best use of your clothing and the factors to keep
in mind as you purchase new clothes and accessories.
6. Describe how you can expand your wardrobe by repairing, altering,
recycling, or making your own clothing, and apply these skills.
7. Compare different places to buy clothing.
8. Assess the quality and fit of a garment.
9. Evaluate clothing cost.
10. Summarize basic clothing care.
11. Differentiate between and identify the characteristics of natural and
manufactured fibers.
12. Explain the various ways in which fibers are made into fabrics.
13. Describe factors affecting the selection of a pattern, fabric, and
notions.
14. Demonstrate proper use of sewing equipment and tools, including safety
practices.
15. Demonstrate planning, organizing, managing, and sequencing skills when
illustrating basic clothing construction techniques.
Unit Seven
Living Environments
1. Identify the different needs that are met by our living spaces.
2. Evaluate different types of housing.
3. Identify typical housing costs.
4. Explain how the elements and principles of design relate to space planning.
5. Evaluate ways to enhance living space.
6. Describe how to organize your space by creating a floor plan and analyzing
traffic patterns.
7. Compare ways to clean and maintain living space.
8. Determine home safety hazards and methods to correct them.
9. Investigate how housing factors affect the environment and what steps can
be taken to preserve the environment.
Unit Eight
Career Exploration
1. Analyze factors influencing career choices.
2. Conduct a self-assessment as it relates to career choices.
3. Integrate goal setting and decision-making into the career planning
process.
4. Evaluate career opportunities in the areas of community services,
caregiving, managing and consumer affairs, nutrition and food, clothing and
textiles, and housing.