Family and Consumer Sciences Department Table of Contents

Introduction

The Family and Consumer Sciences department offers courses that provide students with real-world learning opportunities that prepare students for in-demand  careers in Human Services and Health, Nutrition and Wellness.  

Shaker High School Students can gain that knowledge with their choice of 2 career pathways in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department.  Each career path or sequence of courses is approved by the New York State Education Department and includes a series of courses to gain knowledge, a professional exam, and work based experiences.  Students who complete the required courses and pass the professional exam will receive a Gold Seal Regents CTE endorsement on their diploma.

Class Key

Careers and Course Recommendations:

Students interested in Education, Social Work or Psychology should take: 

Students interested in Nutrition,  Sports Medicine, Nursing: NP, RN, LPN, Therapy: PT, OT, and Medicine should take:

Students interested in Interior Design, Clothing Design & Fashion Merchandising should take:

Half Year Courses

610 Gerontology 

Second Semester ½ Unit

Adolescent Development is recommended.

In this course students will explore the field of gerontology. Students will learn about the process of aging and the typical changes that occur in the life of an elderly person. Further, students will understand how to respond to the needs of the elderly due to a variety of changes that the elderly experience. Discussions will highlight life changes that relate to such topics as housing and self-care.  Students will have the opportunity to interact with mature adults and professionals in living and working environments, in preparation for potential employment in Gerontology. This course will ultimately allow students to develop positive attitudes toward the elderly and understand their contribution to society. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

617 Food and Nutrition Across the Life Span

First Semester ½ Unit

This course will help you develop an understanding of basic cooking and nutritional concepts through real life, hands-on experiences. The course will begin with nutrition and kitchen safety. Students will use this knowledge during dietary planning and food preparation. Other topics include influences on food choices and food technology. Students will learn the fundamentals of cookery and gain practical experience preparing foods.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

620 Adolescent Development

Second Semester ½ Unit

In this course, stages of the life cycle will be explored as well as how the adolescent interacts with others in these stages.  Several theorists will be introduced to students. Students will be reading a novel of their choice that will allow them to explore current adolescent issues. Students will investigate and engage in several community service activities. Past activities include working with local nursing homes and the Ronald McDonald House.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

621 Families in a Diverse World

First Semester ½ Unit

Learn about self-identities and a person’s role in their family unit. Examine the struggles that families face, and learn techniques used by family members to work through those struggles. Identify the different family structures and interactions in the United States and compare them to family units in other cultures and countries. Explore the steps necessary for a career working with families. Students planning on careers in Sociology, Counseling, Adolescent Development, Gerontology, and Family Development will gain an understanding of who makes a family unit and how family units function.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

623 Introduction to Early Childhood

First Semester ½ Unit

In this course, students will gain an awareness of the skills necessary to work effectively with children. Topics include: parenting skills, fetal development and childbirth, and the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the child from infancy to preschool. This course consists of class discussion, projects and guest speakers. It is suggested for students considering a career in education, psychology, daycare, nursing or parenthood. This course is recommended as the foundation for the Child Development course offered for Hudson Valley Community College Credit.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

624 Fitness and Nutrition

Either Semester ½ Unit

This course focuses on lifelong wellness through the development of exercise plans, healthy food selection and food preparation techniques. The course begins by assessing our personal health and wellness with a variety of methods. Students will then apply food preparation techniques related to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Food will be prepared and sampled to enhance each unit experience.  Further, students will analyze special diets, examine the nutrient groups, learn about a variety of career opportunities in this field, and research the benefits of exercise.

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

625 Textile and Design

First Semester ½ Unit      

 **May be used towards the Fine Arts Graduation requirement.

If you are interested in clothing and fashion, this course is for you!  Students will have the opportunity to explore fashion and design while learning production techniques.  Fashion is reviewed from historical styles to current fashion trends. And, students will learn the art of clothing design and construction by creating their own garments.

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

626 Housing and Interior Design

Second Semester ½ Unit

**May be used towards the Fine Arts Graduation requirement.

In this course you will have the opportunity to create a model home by applying concepts of your future lifestyle and your personal housing wants and needs. Students will learn about a variety of housing styles and historical architectural styles when selecting a home. In addition, students will apply design concepts when selecting wall and floor coverings for the interior of a home using design software.  Students interested in careers such as design, interior decorating, structural engineering, and real estate will find this course especially enjoyable and worthwhile.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

627 Global Food and Nutrition

Second Semester ½ Unit

Food is prepared here in America with ethnic roots from all over the world. First, we will investigate the ethnic foods and heritage common to regions in the U.S. Then we look overseas to find out what and how foods are prepared abroad. Be prepared to work in a team to cook, clean and sample ethnic dishes. Join us and you will brush up on your geography skills, social studies, and cultural awareness while getting skilled at dinner preparations.  

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

628 Careers in Human Services

First Semester ½ Unit

If you have an interest in better understanding how to help or work effectively with people across the life cycle, this course is for you. The Human Services field has an increasing number of job opportunities available helping all ages in time of need or crisis. Study and examine the ways in which community agencies help address them. Join students seriously interested in investigating a career in the human services field and take part in an opportunity to job shadow a professional working in a career that interests you for one day of six (6) hours. 

This course is open to students in grades 9-12.

629 UHS Child Development (P)

Second Semester ½ Unit 

Prerequisite: Introduction to Early Childhood is recommended.  

Child development from conception through preadolescence is explored and related to current research and theories.  This course broadens the student’s knowledge of the many systems which influence development. The interdependence among all aspects of growth and development is emphasized. The needs of infants and children at each stage are related to their daily care and educational programs. Join other students who are interested in information that can be applied to careers in teaching, counseling/psychiatry, or social work or for the role as a future parent.  

Optional: Three Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) credits available with paid tuition.  

30 Hours of informal observation is required to receive college credit. 

This course is open to students in grades 11-12.

630 Clothing Production (P)

Second Semester ½ Unit

Prerequisite: Textile and Design is required. 

In this course students will have the opportunity to be their own clothing designer and expand sewing skills by creating a pattern based on appropriate body measurements. Students will further create the garment using appropriate sewing techniques. This course is designed for students interested in fashion design, clothing construction or furthering their sewing skills.  

This course is open to students in grades 10-12.

631 Advanced Clothing Production (P)

Second Semester ½ Unit

Prerequisite: #630 with a minimum grade of 85 

This is an advanced course for students interested in fashion and clothing production. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of fashion and have the opportunity to keep improving their production skills.