TeachersFirst's Family Consumer Science Resources
Family Consumer Science (FCS), also sometimes referred to as Home Economics, is a subject that encompasses many topics, including food science and preparation, human development, personal finance, family finance, wellness and nutrition, apparel and sewing, interior design, and more. This curated list of reviewed resources includes all of these topics and others related to FCS. We have included resources for all grades. Remember, our "In the Classroom" suggestions give you ideas about using these tools in your classroom.
Find additional resources related to financial literacy, nutrition, child development, and cooking.
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SketchUp - Google
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): architecture (64), design (82), drawing (60)
In the Classroom
To introduce yourself to the program, check out the training video. There are templates that you can use to create your designs and they are offered in both metric and English measurements. The application is reminiscent of basic paint programs. Perhaps the best way to learn how to create with this tool is to take some time to "play" with it. The editors at TeacherFirst strongly recommend working your way through a sample before you implement this in a class. It gives your students a great model to visualize your expectations, and it will give you the hands on experience that you can use to help them. Another way to implement this is to roll it out to your students and have them "play" with it. You may learn more from them than you could have ever anticipated. Another neat feature of this program is that it allows you to Google search for previously constructed 3D models and download them directly into SketchUp on your computer!As part of a multidisciplinary unit in science, technology, economics, math, social studies, and English classes, use this site to create a culminating design project. In English classes, have students create a written grant or design proposal. In economics, have the students discover how to construct the project for the best possible cost. Have the final design project be a new museum or historical/tourist attraction to commemorate a local hero/heroine. In math and science classes, have the students "build" the project with accurate measurements. Then as follow up, have students use Google Earth reviewed here to predict the environmental impact of the new construction. Or, in technology education or industrial arts class, use this as a way to submit project drafts for construction.
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Online Conversion - Robert Fogt
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): conversions (36), measurement (125), temperature (35), time (91)
In the Classroom
Following a lesson on conversions, allow students to access the site to check answers. Mark this site in your favorites and share it on your TeachersFirst public age for quick access. Use as a handy resource on your interactive whiteboard or projector anytime that conversions come up in your classroom. Share this site with students through your class web page or TeachersFirst public page as a resource to use outside of class-- even when cooking with mom or dad!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Homestyler - Autodesk
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): architecture (64), area (52), design (82), volume (34)
In the Classroom
Members click and drag design components onto the main layout page. The free draw tool is a bit trickier to control but is similar to drawing tools in other programs. The perimeter measurement scrolls alongside the line you are drawing. The interface for such a complicated concept is intuitive. Students will need explicit instructions on how to operate this program.Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to share the tutorial presentation and demonstrate how to use the design tools. Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Consider this resource to help math students visualize how to compute the surface area of three-dimensional shapes and understand how area and volume change with scale. Social Studies and History teachers can ask students to re-create the interior of an early American home, Greek Temple or even their own classroom. With guidance, this could be a wonderful tool to help younger students understand interior mapping skills. Classrooms focusing on "real-world learning" may find this a valuable resource tool to help students create design plans for an alternative environment.
Edge Features:
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be shared by URL
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HeartPoint - HeartPoint
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
FCS and health teachers can use this site for student research or scavenger hunts about the heart. The recipe section would be great for FCS classes learning to plan healthy menus. Health/PE classes studying life habits and disease will find lots of information on cardiac conditions and prevention.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cheeses of France
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
Use this site in a home economics class before discussing the different varieties of foods, or your World Language class when teaching French. The site would make a great example on the interactive whiteboard of the wide world of food that exists.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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