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. 

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SketchUp - Google

Grades
8 to 12
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With SketchUp, members can create 3D models of homes, shacks, sheds, decks, design wood work projects, and even imagine and visualize space ships. Once you have navigated this tool,...more
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With SketchUp, members can create 3D models of homes, shacks, sheds, decks, design wood work projects, and even imagine and visualize space ships. Once you have navigated this tool, it becomes fast to use, flexible, and fun! The pile of possibilities is sky high (and higher in the spaceship case!). Your creations can be shared online and/or added to Google Earth to get a picture of what your creation would look like in real life from the sky! For more information about Google Earth click here. Beyond a doubt, this is a very cool tool to use for learners, amateur architects, and professionals alike! Use your G-Suite for Education or Microsoft Education account for free access.

tag(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 12
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This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical...more
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This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical order from Acceleration to Weight/Mass. Within each category are the different converters/calculators. For example, after choosing volume, choices include acres, barrels (dry, federal, liquid, and wine), cubic units, gallons, quarts teaspoons, yards, and more. Other interesting conversions include your weight on other planets, your age in dog years, and translations to and from Pig Latin. You are sure to find exactly the conversion for any need within this site along with others to use just for fun!
This 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!

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Homestyler - Autodesk

Grades
5 to 12
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Homestyler is a free online interior design planner. Members choose a layout plan, add details such as doors, windows, and furnishings, and then decide on color schemes for interior...more
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Homestyler is a free online interior design planner. Members choose a layout plan, add details such as doors, windows, and furnishings, and then decide on color schemes for interior decorating. Designs are viewable in both a 2D and 3D format. This is a free online program that requires no downloading. Registration does require an email address. This site may or may not be fully accessible inside your school filtering. Check to make sure all portions of this site are available when using your school's network. Homestyler does have a retail component that suggests certain name brands for appliances, and building supplies but the 3D designing capability outshines this form of advertising.

tag(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.

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HeartPoint - HeartPoint

Grades
6 to 12
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HeartPoint has created this site that takes a creative approach to teaching students (and adults) about the heart, heart functions, and heart problems. Highlights include "Foods You...more
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HeartPoint has created this site that takes a creative approach to teaching students (and adults) about the heart, heart functions, and heart problems. Highlights include "Foods You Will Love" and "Health Tips". Be sure to visit the "HeartPoint Gallery" for detailed pictures, descriptions and other information.

tag(s): heart (27), nutrition (134)

In 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.

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Cheeses of France

Grades
6 to 12
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Do you know how many varieties of cheese there are in France? Navigate this site with your students and discover the rich tradition that cheese has in the history of ...more
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Do you know how many varieties of cheese there are in France? Navigate this site with your students and discover the rich tradition that cheese has in the history of France.

tag(s): france (37), french (73)

In 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.

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