Family & Consumer Science (FACS)

If you want to learn to cook, this is the class for you! This is an exciting course covering the study of food preparation! Basic culinary techniques will be explained and practiced. Labs will allow the student to learn about kitchen basics and to prepare various foods. Units of study will include kitchen safety and sanitation, measurement, knife skills, and cooking a large variety of foods that fall in the units of fruits, vegetables, proteins, quick breads and yeast breads, and desserts.

Unified FACS provides a unique opportunity for students with and without disabilities to come together through ongoing educational and Family and Consumer Science activities. The course will be designed to meet the requirements of current FACS class while also supporting the development of leadership skills for all students, and the empowerment of ALL students to foster an inclusive class and school-wide environment.

What are your favorite foods? Have you thought about how you can make these foods healthier? Current trends in the foods we eat and exploring ways to make healthy choices will be the focus of this class. In this course students will learn about basic kitchen essentials: food safety and sanitation, measuring techniques, and food preparation techniques. Units of study will include: Healthy and delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices; healthy snacks; food labels; convenience foods; food trends and meal planning.

What makes food look appealing to you? Have you ever wondered how to make food not only taste good, but look good too? This cooking course focuses on professional preparation techniques, food safety and sanitation and how to create a visually appealing and tasty meal. Students will learn how to put creativity into food preparation. Units of study in this course include garnishing, appetizers, sauces, entrees, desserts and cupcake wars. 

What would you eat if you lived in another part of the world? Do you want to explore new and different foods from all over? Food is what brings people together in every part of the world. The foods and preparation techniques covered in this class are unique and distinct to each of the countries we cover. This course covers cultural awareness and food customs of these many different regions. Students will participate in food preparation and sampling of a variety of foods characteristic of each of the countries.

Do you like kids? Are you thinking about working with them in the future? Here is an opportunity to work with preschool aged children in the high school classroom. The course work involves studying physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of young children; types of preschools and the incorporation of the five senses into learning. Students will then operate a PlaySchool for children ages 3 to 5 years old. In the PlaySchool, high school students conduct lessons, stories, games, music and art projects with the children. The PlaySchool is set up to give the students a chance to be on the teacher-side of the classroom. The skills learned in this class can be transferred to any career related to young children. Students who plan to pursue careers involving children such as education, child psychology, recreation, counseling, child care, child medicine or those who just enjoy working with and learning about them, should take this course.

Do you enjoy working with elementary aged children? Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher? In this class you will be paired up with children from the elementary schools and will work with them a minimum of two hours per week.  You will need to provide your own transportation, or ride with another student, to and from the elementary schools.  In your role as a classroom helper, you will provide one-to-one opportunities for young students and assist the teacher in the classroom in a variety of ways. As a student in the class you will experience growth through strengthened understanding of child development, the satisfaction of helping others and being a good role model, and an opportunity to develop leadership skills.  This is a wonderful opportunity for service learning. 

Parenting is a course designed to provide knowledge about decisions regarding parenthood and the skills needed to perform parental responsibilities effectively. In this course students will study the growth and development of children from conception to age three. Topics include parenting readiness, guidance and discipline, and raising healthy children. Students will participate in a parenting simulation using the computerized babies.

Does design interest you?  Do you love the booming industry of interior design and home décor? Through this course students gain an understanding of the elements and principles of interior design. Students will learn to identify various aspects of interior design in their daily lives, from color schemes to floor planning.  The units in this class are finding your personal design inspiration, the elements and principles of interior design, housing exteriors, floor planning, and a final project that puts all of these together by creating your very own dream house. 

Ready to put your knowledge and love of interior design into action? In Interior Design 2, you will be digging deeper into the specific components of interior design with a focus on how to! This class consists of the real-life application of selecting furniture, lighting, color, decor, etc. to truly create a space. Field trips added in to help analyze the cost of redesigning a space will help bring projects to life. Computer applications will be used to enhance floor planning capabilities from paper to the virtual world. A final project of redesigning a classroom at Prior Lake High School will put each student’s knowledge and abilities of interior design into real action!

Have you ever thought about designing your own clothing line?  Do you enjoy fashion, clothing and retail?  Then enter the world of fashion - study design, color, current fashion trends and analyze fashion merchandising from a design concept to sales.  You will study and incorporate the elements and principles of design by creating your very own clothing line by the end of the quarter as well as pick up on tips and tricks of the fashion world!  The ability to sketch is not a requirement, we can teach you how, so take fashion and you might just become the next big fashion designer!  

The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise devoted to the business of making and selling clothes. Fashion 2 is an opportunity to explore how we can play a true part in the industry from understanding trends to creating actual clothing designs.  Units will include design through the decades, fads and trends, sustainable fashion and up-cycling, fashion merchandising and fashion career exploration, and also the chance to create actual fashion pieces. This is an excellent opportunity to extend your learning of Fashion Design I and go more in-depth with the fashion world! 

Want to better your relationship skills with friends, family, and future relationships? In Relationships for Life you will learn how to address knowledge and skills needed for positive and productive relationships in life. We will focus on communication, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration. Learn how to deal with conflicts, both prevention and resolution, and how to build and  maintain relationships for a healthy and happy future. Learn about yourself and how to become your best family member, friend, partner and employee for years to come. Set yourself up for success in all your relationships moving forward. 

Do you plan on living with your parents forever? Are you ready to live on your own? There is a lot to learn before you hop into the independent world! This course is designed to prepare you for an independent life and future. Topics covered in this course include: post-high school option exploration, taxes, insurance, money management and budgeting, grocery buying, and renting/leasing apartments and cars, resume and interviewing skills, and things you should know “life hacks.” Take this class, and you are guaranteed a leg up on all things adulting.