KATHLEEN WEAVER 

2011-2012

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE TEACHER

Email:   kweaver@nssd112.org

224-765-3300 X 3337

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COURSES OFFERED

•Family and Consumer Science                6th Grade

•Family and Consumer Science                7th Grade

•Family and Consumer Science                8th Grade

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Hands-on experience and learning real life skills is the best way to build confidence and to become more prepared for the future. All students need these life skills and Family and Consumer Science (Home Economics) is the place to start!

*******All AT-HOME COOKING CONNECTION PROJECTS for 7th and 8th grade students is due NOW! You must choose a recipe that you have never done before that contains at least five ingredients and is connected to the stove top or oven. Choose a cooking method that works for you! You must turn in a copy of your recipe, a picture of your finished product with you in it, a student write-up and a parent evaluation. Have fun but make it a challenging experience!

Cooking Project-WORD.doc

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

6TH GRADE

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE is a beginning foods class that gives each 6th grade student the opportunity to learn basic food preparation skills.  During the semester students will create three to four recipes.  Activities include not only labs, but also taste tests, and cooperative learning activities in relation to nutrition, labeling, knife skills and consumer shopping . Each food product made will introduce a variety of new skills from measuring to mixing, from cutting to frying and even from peeling to slicing.  Students are expected to work together as a team, communicate and problem solve in the classroom as well as in the kitchen.

7TH GRADE

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE is offered to all 7th grade students.

During the semester, this class will focus not only on the food pyramid, healthy eating and etiquette but spends a great deal of time on food preparation techniques, cooking methods and time management skills that can be used in their kitchen at home.  Hands-on experience only builds confidence over time.  There is no "I" in team and students learn to work as a total team when in the lab communicating to complete a variety of tasks. 

Before the semester ends, all students will learn the simple task of sewing on a button. This is a life skill that many people forget about but in reality, hand sewing is a necessity to use in the future.

8TH GRADE

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE is offered to all 8th grade students.  Each class focuses not only on the food pyramid and healthy eating but also on more advanced food preparation skills and techniques. Why do ingredients do what they do? Ingredient functions play a vital role in recipe creation. Cooking methods and time management skills are again addressed but in a more concentrated manner. Even if a student was unable to take the 7th grade class FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE, activities are done in more of a cooperative learning environment as lab groups. Problem solving and recipe substitution create more of a challenging experience for this group of learners.

Look what's happening......Pie making at it's best!  Even eighth graders can make an awesome pie crust, but it's teamwork, communication and great listening which makes the lab a success.  Take the class and join a team!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the many concepts you will learn in eighth grade foods........   

•     The process used to make tortillas compared to scones.

•     What is kneading?

•     How do you test a griddle for heat sensitivity?

•     How high should your heat be when making tortillas?

•     What is gluten?

•     What are the three parts of a grain called and where is gluten located in the grain?

•     What do all three parts of the grain have in common?

•     What are the functions of an egg?

•     What does (egg) basting do for a soft dough product?

•     What are the functions of shortening?

•     What are the functions of specific ingredients and can I substitute any ingredient for another?

•     What is the history of the products that are made in the class?

•     Why is wax paper used when rolling out pie crust?

Do you know that people recognize a spatula as 3 different pieces of equipment? 

What is a spatula used for in my class? 

a.  Scraping the bowl

b.  Measuring dry ingredients

c.  Turning over pancakes

Take a foods class and find out the mysteries behind making a variety of products!