Course Syllabus-8^th Grade FACS

Baltic Middle School

Revised 12/10

Instructor: Suzy Ries

Course Description

Aim: 8^th grade FACS is a 9-week class that focuses on helping students make positive choices based on values, morals, and personal goals. Students will explore the origin of their personal beliefs, identify goals, apply the steps in the decision making process and consider consequences of various courses of action. 8^th grade students will also learn about physical, emotional and social changes, the basics of human reproduction, the value of abstinence and be given information on sexually transmitted infections. The course will conclude with career exploration using SDmylife.com and an anti tobacco simulation.

Grade Level Required in 8^th Grade

Length 9 week course 35 minute periods.

Prerequisites None

Topics Covered This project-based course focuses on the following topic areas:

· Morals, Values and Goals

· Decision Making

· Goal Setting

· Communication Basics

· Physical Growth

· Self-Esteem

· Human Sexuality and Human Reproduction

· Abstinence and STI’s

· Career Exploration

· Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Resistance

Instructional Philosophy and Delivery Plan

Expectation: Students will be expected to meet all course goals by demonstrating their understanding of the basic concepts of each topic area. In order to pass the course students will need a minimum of 70% proficiency.

Delivery Method: Instruction will consist of individual hands on activities and projects, group work, lecture, discussion, reading, writing, journaling, self assessment, use of the “Nicoteen” tobacco simulation project and use of technology. The FCCLA “A Better You” project is incorporated into the course.

Community Involvement: Guest speakers and volunteers will be brought in throughout the course. Students will also use family and community resources to complete individual and group projects.

Assessment: Students will be graded on the following items: daily work, presentations, written reports, tests, group work, journal entries, daily participation points and individual projects. Grades will not be rounded.

Course Goals

Technical Standards:

Unit: Career Exploration

1.1.6 Determine skills and knowledge needed to develop a plan for achieving individual/career goals

1.2.1 Examine potential career choices to determine the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with each

1.2.2 Demonstrate job seeking skills and job keeping skills

Unit: Growth, Reproduction and Sexuality

2.1.1 Explain principals of human growth and development

2.1.2 Examine the basic human needs and patterns that influence individual development

2.2.5 Explain the effect of life events and conditions on individuals’ physical and emotional development

2.3.0 Evaluate strategies that promote healthy development across the lifespan

Unit: Family and Relationships

3.2.1 Describe major family responsibilities including care giving, reproduction, child rearing, social, legal, education, economic, leisure, security and spirituality

3.2.2 Analyze the interrelationship between the family as a system and individual family members

3.3.1 Identify the characteristic of strong, healthy families

Unit: Communication, Abstinence and Goal Setting

4.2.1 Examine the impact of characteristics on relationships

4.2.2 Explain how self-esteem and self-image affect relationships

4.2.3 Examine the impact of personal ethical standards and code of conduct on relationships

4.3.1 Examine communication styles and their effects on relationships

4.3.2 Demonstrate verbal and non-verbal behaviors and attitudes that contribute to effective communication

4.3.3 Demonstrate effective listening and feedback techniques

Academic Standards

6-8 Science, Technology, Environment and Society Standards

8.S.2.1 Given a scenario, offer solutions to problems created by human activity on the local, regional or global environment

8^th Grade Reading

Indicator 1 Students are able to apply various reading strategies to comprehend and interpret text.

8.R.1.2 Students are able to use reading strategies to comprehend the meaning of words and text.

Indicator 4 Students are able to retrieve, analyze, synthesize and evaluate a variety of informational texts.

8.R.4.3 Students are able to combine new information with existing knowledge to form interpretations.

8^th Grade Math

Indicator 2 Students can apply the concepts of probability to predict events/outcomes and solve problems.

8.S.2.1 Students are able to use a variety of visual representations to display date to make comparisons and predictions.

Transferable Work Skills

Foundation Skills

Basic Skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening

Higher-Order Thinking Skills: Thinking creatively, making decisions, solving problems, reasoning

Personal Qualities: Individual responsibility, self-esteem, social ability, self-management and integrity

Competencies

Resources: Allocating time, money, materials

Interpersonal Skills: Working on teams, teaching others, leading, negotiating

Information: Acquiring and evaluating data, organizing files, interpreting and communicating, using computer

to process information.

Technology: Selecting equipment and tools, applying technology to specific tasks

Major Course Projects

· FCCLA “A Better You” Goal Setting Project

· Nicoteen Tobacco Simulation Weekend Project

· Sdmylife.com career exploration packet

· 9-week progressive journal

Assessment Plan and Grading Scale

Student assessment will be based upon group work and / or individual completion of project journals, presentations, written reports, tests on concept knowledge and demonstrations of important skills.

· Daily Participation: Attendance, class behavior, participation and attitude

· Journal: Weekly journal entries reflecting on current course topics

· Tests/Quizzes: Evaluation of concept knowledge through tests/quizzes and application through hands-on assessment.

· Projects: Quality of projects, reports, oral and written presentations and lab work.

· Daily Work: Daily assignments, journal, and self/group evaluations.

Grading Scale:

A 95-100

A- 93-94

B+ 91-92

B 88-90

B- 86-87

C+ 84-85

C 79-83

C- 77-78

D+ 75-76

D 72-74

D- 70-71

8^th Family & Consumer Science

Course Outline

I. Morals, Values and Goals

A. The Ten Basic Values

B. Morals and Personal Values

C. Making Decisions

D. Setting Goals: Power of One Goal Setting Project

II. Physical Development and Reproduction

A. Physical Growth and Development

B. Dealing with Things we Cannot Change

C. Human Sexuality

1. identify the male and female reproductive organs

2. explain the functions of the male and female human reproductive systems

3. use correct reproductive terminology

D. Human Reproduction

1. describe the process of conception

2. how and when does conception occur, facts and myth

III. Communication Basics

1. describe basic forms of verbal and non-verbal communication

2. practice communicating clearly

IV. Choices and Consequences

A. Future Dating Relationships

1. identify characteristics that they want in a future dating partner

2. analyze what each gender likes and dislikes in the other

B. Abstinence: Saying No

1. practice assertive techniques to resist peer pressure

2. list reasons to abstain from sexual intercourse

3. practice ways to say “no”

4. list reasons why abstinence is best for teens

C. Sexually Transmitted Infections

1. identify the serious diseases which can be spread through sexual contact

2. identify abstinence from sexual activity as the best way for teens to avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections

D. Abstinence and the Costs of Early Parenthood

1. identify the emotional, physical, and financial costs of premature parenthood

2. discuss how premature parenthood interferes with achievement of life goals

3. list the ways that early parenthood affects opportunities to achieve life goals

4. discuss the effects of early parenthood on personal independence

V. My career and my future: Career exploration

1. explore the 16 career clusters

2. analyze personal interests and skills

3. identify jobs related to personal interests and skills

4. explore criteria needed for specific careers

VI. Resisting Peer Pressure and Making Healthy Choices

A. Review of reasons not to choose drugs, alcohol, or tobacco

B. Nicoteen anti tobacco program and simulation

Welcome to Family and Consumer Sciences!

8^th Grade FACS

Classroom and Course Guidelines

Behavior:

Respect your classmates, the classroom and me. Be cooperative, honest and have a positive attitude.
Be in the classroom when the bell rings with class materials ready.
Clean up after yourself and to put items back in the correct place.

Assignments and homework

Each book assignment should have your name, course, period and assignment information (page number and questions assigned).
Turn in assignments on time. The late work and 9^th hour policies are listed on the back wall of the classroom.
You are responsible for getting make up work and completing it one time and for what was covered in class the day(s) you were gone. Your make up assignments can be found on the back counter and will have a melon colored “Make up work for FACS” sheet attached.
You will be given 2 days to make up missed work if you are unexpectedly absent. Students who participate in planned school activities will not be given extra time to complete work. No credit will be given for work if you are absent and unexcused.
Extra credit opportunities are rarely, if ever, given throughout the year. Do your best work the first time through.
Semester course grades will be comprised of 42.5% first quarter, 42.5% second quarter and 15% semester project.
Save unit tests, they will help you study for semester tests.

Cheating

Students who take and give answers to each other will receive a zero grade - unless you are given permission by me to work together.

Classroom Guidelines

Please bring a reading book or other schoolwork with you in the event that you complete your work before the bell rings. Books and magazines are available on the bookshelf in the back of the room for you to read – help yourself and return them when you are done.
No pop, candy or snacks will be allowed in the classroom. Foods prepared in cooking lab are not to be taken out of the kitchen.
In the FACS classroom, I will be fair – but that does not mean everyone will be treated equally. I will do everything I can to make sure every individual gets what they need to be successful.

Daily Points:

· Each student is given one daily point based on attendance, participation and attitude. Students gone to school sponsored events will still receive their daily point. If you are gone for an extended period of time, talk to me and we will handle your case individually.