Family and Consumer Sciences 1b: Life Skills in Action

Step into the kitchen with confidence and learn how to make preparing meals easier and safer. In this unit, you’ll explore everything from major appliances to everyday utensils and discover how to care for them so they last a lifetime. Then, learn the right way to store, handle, and cook food to keep it safe and tasty! You’ll also master simple but important habits like washing your hands and keeping surfaces clean so that germs don’t stand a chance. By the end, you’ll know how to prevent food contamination and create meals that are not only delicious but safe for everyone to enjoy.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify the major appliances, clean-up appliances, small appliances, and kitchen utensils that are involved in food preparation
2. Apply food safety guidelines by storing, handling, and cooking foods at correct temperatures to prevent contamination and illness
3. Practice sanitary habits by washing hands, cleaning utensils, and sanitizing equipment and surfaces before and after food preparation
4. Recognize potential sources of food contamination and implement strategies to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen

Get ready to step into the kitchen with confidence! In this unit, you’ll see how the foods you pick can help you stay healthy and avoid getting sick. You’ll find out how small choices can really change how you feel each day. You’ll also learn what a recipe is and how to use one without feeling lost, from following steps in order to understanding cooking words and abbreviations. You’ll practice swapping ingredients and changing recipe amounts when your plans change. As you build your cooking skills, you’ll get hands-on experience that matters, both in the food lab and at home. Before long, you’ll have the basics you need to start cooking like a pro.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Explore basic nutrition and how it can support good health and disease prevention
2. Demonstrate how to use a recipe correctly by following the steps, understanding the terms and abbreviations, making ingredient substitutions, and adjusting the yield as needed
3. Illustrate basic cooking skills, including accurate measuring, safe knife use, proper mixing techniques, and a variety of cooking methods
4. Describe food lab activities, including creating a plan and evaluating both the process and the finished product

Roll up your sleeves and step back into the kitchen! In this unit, we’re learning about how the foods we choose—and how we prepare them—can make a big difference in our lives. Specifically, we’re going to talk about fruits, vegetables, and grains—some of the major food groups that make up our diets as human beings. You’ll discover how to pick fresh fruits and vegetables, handle them safely, and cook them in ways that keep their color, flavor, and nutrients. You’ll also explore the world of grains and find out why some choices fuel your body better than others. Along the way, we’ll practice planning real meals like a pro.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables by examining how to select quality produce and apply proper preparation methods
2. Explain the nutritional value of grains by identifying the parts of a grain, evaluating dietary considerations, and applying proper preparation techniques
3. Evaluate a variety of cooking techniques used to prepare foods containing fruits, vegetables, and grains
4. Demonstrate the process of selecting, storing, preparing, and serving fruits, vegetables, and grains

Dive into the world of dairy and protein and discover how the foods you eat power your body every day. Together, we’ll explore the nutritional value of milk, yogurt, and different forms of cheese while learning how your dietary needs can affect your food choices. Next, you’ll break down the power of protein: you’ll compare eggs (and all their parts), different cuts of meat, and non-meat protein options. For both dairy and protein products, you’ll learn what to look for when purchasing, how to store them correctly, and how to cook them using safe, professional techniques. By the end, you won’t just know how to cook dairy and protein, you’ll understand why these are such important components of everyone’s diet.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the nutritional value of dairy products by examining guidelines for purchasing, storing, and preparing milk products
2. Explain the nutritional value of proteins by identifying different types of proteins, evaluating dietary considerations, and applying proper preparation techniques
3. Evaluate a variety of cooking techniques used to prepare foods containing dairy and protein
4. Demonstrate the process of selecting, storing, preparing, and serving dairy and protein products

Have you ever wondered why some meals just work and others fall flat? In this unit, you’ll learn the secrets behind smart and satisfying eating. You’ll discover why meal planning is one of the most powerful life skills you can build and how it helps you to save money, cut down on food waste, and take care of your body. We’ll also discover how to make a plate that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Then you’ll take your skills to the grocery store and figure out how to shop smart and organize your kitchen so that healthy eating fits into your real life. Finally, we’ll explore different ways to serve a meal, from cozy, family-style dinners to impressive plated presentations and pick up the dining etiquette skills that make you confident at any table. By the end, you’ll plan your very own menu using USDA guidelines—and have the knowledge to back up every choice you make.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Explain the benefits of meal planning and identify key factors to consider when creating a meal plan
2. Demonstrate how to add variety to a menu by incorporating differences in color, flavor, texture, shape, size, and temperature to create appealing and balanced meals
3. Apply smart grocery shopping strategies to reduce food waste and improve efficiency
4. Explore a balanced menu using USDA dietary guidelines and practice proper meal service styles

You can earn money—whether it’s an allowance or a part time job—but do you know how to make it work for you? In this unit, you’ll build real-world money skills that will last a lifetime. We’ll start by exploring our attitudes about money. You’ll learn to tell the difference between needs and wants and discover how budgeting can simplify your spending. You’ll also find out how credit and insurance affect your financial life more than you might think. From there, we’ll put those ideas into action by building our very own budget, set personal financial goals, and create a savings plan—all while using digital tools to manage it all like a pro. You will also learn how to open an account, write a check, balance your finances, and choose the right tools for your needs. Finally, you’ll look ahead and discover why saving early is one of the smartest moves you can make.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Differentiate between needs and wants to evaluate how personal values and attitudes shape spending decisions
2. Construct a personal budget by setting measurable financial goals and developing a savings plan that reflects your income, expenses, and priorities
3. Compare the types of financial institutions and services available and demonstrate basic banking skills such as writing a check and balancing an account
4. Analyze the differences between saving and investing strategies and how they contribute to long-term financial security

What does it mean to show up for your community? In this unit, you’ll explore what citizenship really looks like in everyday life—from following the law and being informed to casting a vote and getting involved. Your voice and actions can drive important change in your community, because civic engagement is bigger than politics! Then, we’ll take a look at the environmental challenges threatening the world around you and weigh different perspectives on tough issues so you can decide for yourself what a healthier and more sustainable future looks like. You’ll also map out the resources your community already offers and learn how to find them when you or someone you know needs them. Your community needs you, and you might be surprised by how much you get back in return.

What will you learn in this unit?

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Develop a life plan that identifies how the responsibilities of citizenship and civic participation can support individual and family goals
2. Demonstrate how individuals and families can support their community
3. Analyze factors that threaten environmental health and understand the significance of environmental responsibility
4. Identify community resources and apply communication skills to connect individuals and families with the support they need

What else you need to take this course

Required Materials

Physical

• Art supplies
• Clean kitchen towel
• Cutting board(s) (at least two, one for raw proteins and one for other foods) (non-slip surface or damp paper towel underneath)
• Frying pan/skillet
• Ingredients:
  • Protiens: Eggs, breakfast sausage, bacon, ham, tofu
  • Dairy: Cheese (for omelets or casseroles), milk or cream, butter
  • Produce: Potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, avocado, berries, bananas
  • Grains: Bread (for toast or baking), pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, grits
  • Fats and oils: Cooking oil (olive, vegetable, butter)
• Kitchen tools, small appliances, or utensils (4 or 5)
• Knives (chef’s knife, paring knife)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Oven or toaster oven
• Plates and serving utensils
• Poster board
• Saucepan or pot
• Spatula, tongs, whisk
• Stove
• Thermometer
• Video recording device
• Writing supplies

Software

• Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software

Optional

• Audio recording device
• Baking dish or sheet
• Graphic design software
• Microwave or steamer
• Presentation software
• Tripod