Middle School F&CS Comprehensive/Enrichment Framework

Criteria

Background Information

Thirteen Units of Study

Criteria for the Middle School F&CS Comprehensive/Enrichment Framework

1. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School Family and Consumer Sciences (F&CS) shall be consistent with the national and state "Vision and Mission" statements for family and consumer sciences and with the National Standards for F&CS Education (V-TECS 1998).

2. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall define F&CS academic standards and baseline program standards to build a strong common identity among Middle School F&CS programs across the state of Indiana. At the same time, the framework shall provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate variances in local settings; instructional approaches; and student characteristics, interests, and needs.

3. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall support developmental characteristics, needs, and challenges of early adolescents.

4. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall clearly communicate the essential F&CS content and processes that every middle school student needs in order to manage their current lives and shall emphasize critical and emergent issues * facing young adolescents.

5. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall emphasize high-priority content and processes aligned to the four core curriculum areas for middle school F&CS: developing self-concept, relating to others, becoming independent, and managing resources.

6. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall facilitate instruction that enables students to assume increasing responsibility for their own learning and well being in school, at home, and in the community.

7. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall reflect the integrative nature of F&CS by blending content and processes from various family and consumer sciences areas of study. These are applied through projects and activities in which students engage in learning in active, concrete ways.

8. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall provide opportunities for students to apply abstract knowledge and skills of other subject areas in authentic and developmentally appropriate ways.

9. The curriculum framework for Indiana Middle School F&CS shall include opportunities for students to develop good citizenship and social responsibility by connecting to their community through service learning and student leadership activities.

*Critical and emergent issues for young adolescents - rampant growth in percentage of overweight, unfit children; alarming statistics regarding deficiencies in calcium and other nutrients vital for long-term health; the need for safety; the need to counteract violence and bullying.

Units of Study - Background Information

• The chart that follows presents 13 "Units of Study" to be covered in every Indiana middle school family and consumer sciences program. Major topics are listed for each Unit of Study. These topics are further defined with a series of sub-topics (italicized in the following chart). The degree of emphasis on each sub-topic may vary according to local program structures and needs.
• The pacing guide for the units of study is presented for two time allocations: 90 days and 180 days, with days of study based on 45-minute periods meeting 5 days per week, or their equivalent in other scheduling structures such as 60 or 90 minute periods.
• The baseline allocation of a total of 90 instructional days overall for grades 6, 7, and 8 provides for minimal curriculum coverage, as shown in the "90 days" column.
• Adequate curriculum coverage requires at least 180 days, as shown in the column on the far right. More extensive exploration of selected topics would require additional time.
• Specific distribution of instructional days across grade levels will vary depending on local school scheduling. Examples of possible configurations for a minimum program include: at least six weeks of instruction each in grades 6, 7, and 8; at least nine weeks of instruction in each of two grade levels (6 and 7, 7 and 8, or 6 and 8); or at least 18 weeks of instruction at one grade level (6, 7, or 8). Additional time is strongly recommended.
• The first two units, "Setting and Reaching Life Goals" and "Dynamic Leadership" are foundational. Topics from these units of study should begin instruction for each grade level. The sequence of the remaining units may be adjusted according to local program structures and needs.
• Laboratory experiences and other types of student-centered, hands-on projects are expected in every unit of study. Laboratories and projects that include sewing can be effective in middle school F&CS if they are limited to those sewing skills needed for completing a specific project. Such projects should focus on the high-priority F&CS academic standards and should build student abilities for learning and for peer cooperation and support. Service learning and/or large-group product development are strongly recommended. Possible examples include:
• Personal image: Simple clothing item or accessory remodeling or construction
• Caring for the environment: Re-useable tote bags; recycled clothing or accessories
• Personal space: Simple accessory such as locker pockets
• Caring for children: Textile toys, simple child-care items or accessories
• Production: Class/group-produced items, particularly as a component of service-learning and/or marketing or economics lessons

In conjunction with the listed topics, F&CS instruction:

• Emphasizes thinking, communication, leadership and management processes
• Builds connections between content and action through service learning, hands-on projects, production of goods and services, student research, projects and events of the "Family, Career and Community Leaders of America" youth organization, etc.
• Enables authentic application of other content areas including technology, health, art, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, etc.

Indiana Family & Consumer Sciences Middle School Curriculum Comprehensive/Enrichment Framework