Thanks Starla!

Wow! School is out and it's time for summer! But before you start to enjoy those summer plans, let's recap our last session . . .
To start with, many sewing projects were completed by 7th and 8th grade students. Be sure to check the classroom show case section to view what each student completed and took home. Special thanks to Diane Barber, Leigh Freeman and Starla Post for volunteering to help with the sewing projects. We could not have done it without you!!





Hannah gave her pillow to her Dad.

During the process of sewing, students learned that one must read and follow directions in order to figure out how to put each project together. Basic sewing skills, the use of the sewing machine, hand work steps and of course measuring and math skills were all practiced as well. And in the end each student took home a completed project that was either kept or given as a gift. A few students completed their projects early and were able to help sew pillowcases for the service project "Pillowcases for Cancer". More about this project can be found at http://conkerrcancer.org/home/

Pillowcases for Cancer

 8th grade students also took a field trip to a local day care as part of the career discussion. Students interacted with the kids and visited with the workers as they asked about careers with kids. They also observed the care, safety and discipline procedures of pre-school age children. Several students felt that their future career plans would involve working with young children -  pediatrician, teacher, day care owner, medical career, to name a few.

Students visit a local day care.

6th grade classes completed the foods unit during the last several weeks of school. After finding out about the new "MyPlate" and the nutritional value of foods we eat, we also completed lessons about kitchen and food safety and how to measure ingredients while preparing recipes. Yes, once again we practiced reading and math skills while doing our FCS assignments. The unit was completed with a written test, preparing cookies and also preparing a recipe for families at home - Homework they could eat! A few brought their home work for a class taste test. One student brought a recipe you might like to try - Apple Enchilada Dessert. The class certainly enjoyed it!

Hands are checked for GERMS!

Yes, it was a busy year for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in FCS. Hopefully, lots was learned, enjoyed and will be used while at home.

 I wish each of you a safe and fun summer! See you this fall - except 8th graders - GOOD LUCK at BHS!
            Ms. Smaus

Spring is Here . . .

FCS - Spring Action Notes
     Spring is here . . . flowers are starting bloom, the temperatures are warming up and everyone is starting to count the number of days before summer vacation starts. BUT. . .  we still have lots to learn! Yes, 7th and 8th grade students have completed their 4th exploratory session. And many project were completed.  You can view all the completed projects in the "Classroom Showcase" section.

Hunter sewed a chef hat and apron for
the barbeque season!

Sydney helped sew a few pillow cases for
the "Pillow Cases for Cancer" service learning project.



     Students were able to select projects that matched their interests and sewing experiences. Each learned to thread the machine and operate it safely. The focus was also on reading and following directions and trying to measure accurately.

     Special thanks to all that volunteered their time to help students during this unit! They included: Sue Eichenberger, Barb Hothan, Deb Mazour, Arlene Overbeck , Carol Owen, Charlene Ulrick, Kelly Wegner and Pam Wegner.

     New groups will start session 5 on Monday March 19. Sewing orders will be due by Tuesday March 27. We will again be needing volunteers starting the end of April and into May. More information about this will be coming. Hope you will be able to join us.

<><>

Bonnie shares baby-sitting tips with 6th Grade students.

     Safety is the "Baby-sitting" focus for the 6th grade classes. Bonnie Riekenberg showed students how to deal with choking, burns, cuts and other emergencies that might occur while babysitting. She focused on ways to prevent these accidents from taking place. Students also had a chance to practice CPR procedures. We also had a chance to see how an AED would be used in case of a heart emergency. Thanks Bonnie!

Whitley shares her Baby-sitting Bag.

     Students will complete this session by creating a babysitting bag. Part of this activity will be completed during the class period, with options for a higher grade to be completed at home and shared with the class. View these projects in the "Classroom Showcase" section.

Students arranged lemons and kiwi with a
little lemon "zest"!

     Session 5 is in full swing . . . 8th grade students checked their diets and evaluated them according to the new "MY Plate" guidelines. As usually, they were missing a few parts of the plate - especially fruits and vegetables. So we prepared a few to taste. View all their works on video. They will also prepare some zucchini bread.
7th grade groups will discuss the importance of breakfast and prepare a class breakfast. Be sure to view these highlights!
And of course the sewing unit is yet to come! The 6th grade classes are just beginning the foods unit. So summer fun will just have to wait a little longer. . .  at least until May 16 that is. More to come!

February - Happy Heart Month

FCS - Action Notes . . .


 Keeping Your Heart Healthy . . . February is definitely the month to focus on our heart - Keep it strong and Happy. Focus on food, exercise and knowledge. Check out the above video. Another resource to check out is the  UNL Extension Newsletter.  



Cinnanon Bubble Ring -  Grain Wedge

 Students in 6th grade continue to discuss  importance of following the new “My Plate” icon. Practice took place as students filled a paper plate with favorite food pictures for each wedge. Some also shared pictures of home meal plates with all the wedges filled! Snacks are being prepared at school and each time students are asked “Which wedges are filled? And why are these wedges needed?” A few more labs are on the agenda. So stop at the FCS Website and view the “Classroom Showcase” section. One of the last activities for this group will be to prepare a snack for their family and answer questions on the assigned worksheet.  

Sewing projects were completed.

     7^th and 8^th grade students completed session 3. Many sewing projects were completed. Check out the videos for each grade level at the FCS Website - view "Classroom Showcase". Remember that the completion of each project uses both reading and math skills as well as FCS skills. Special thanks for the ladies that volunteered their help with the 7^th grade groups – Nancy Humphrey, Jean Spilker and Margret Zimmerman!

Students visit a local day care.

     8^th grade students also completed the Child Care Unit with a brief discussion about careers with young children and a field trip to a local Beatrice Day Care. Special thanks to Mr. Kraus and Mrs. Randel for transporting the students. Once again view this experience on the FCS Website.

Happy "Healthy Heart" Month to everyone!

January Newsletter

FCS - Action Notes . . .


 Setting New Year Resolutions . . .

Have you selected any new year’s resolutions for 2012? I viewed a few web sites and found a list of resolutions which I thought looked good. So here is the list from Fruits and Veggies More Matters :



Students prepare some fruits for a "taste test".



·         Save money by eating more fruits & veggies!

·         Fill half your plate with fruits & veggies

·         Get 150 minutes of exercise per week

·         Have a family dinner at least 2 nights per week

·         Try a vegetarian recipe once a week!

·         Go Green!

·         Get kids excited about fruits & veggies!

·         Become a healthier cook.

·         Eat ONE MORE fruit or vegetable each day

·         Become an expert at planning!

Maybe just one of these might be used by you or maybe you already have one selected, but which ever you select I hope the year will be a healthy and happy one for you.

            Classroom activities will continue for 2012. Both 7^th and 8^th grade classes completed their Food units. 8^th grade students prepared several fruit and vegetable recipes including trying a few new fruits – pomegranates, fresh pineapple, grapefruits- and a few new cuts – julienne and orange zest. We also tried an apple pear crisp à la mode.



Students shared their "Celebrate Family" projects.



“Celebrate Family” projects were shared right before the Christmas break. Students interviewed family members, spent time with family and shared some great recipes with classmates as well as a few staff members. Each project required students to practice time management skills along with their reading, math, and writing skills. A few recipes will be printed and shared on the web site, while all recipes will become part of next year’s cookbooks. So watch for details next December!

Now both 7^th and 8^th grade groups are gearing up for the sewing unit. If you would like to help out with the classes, please let contact me. Here is a link to the volunteer form for this session . . . Sewing Volunteer Form.

A"Baby-Sitter's Bag" was the final assessment
 for the Child Care Unit.

6^th grade students are just completing the Child Care Unit. The final project included creating a Baby-Sitting Bag with items for safety, fun activities and healthy snack ideas. Project ideas were completed during class and, and then students added to the project with home activities and ideas. Most students are involved with baby-sitting jobs and will use the bags as they continue their child care responsibilities. After all projects are shared, we will begin the Foods Unit.

A few final notes and dates  . . .

Cookbooks:  If you missed a copy of the FCS cookbooks, please notify me. We are planning to print a few more copies after the holidays. Hope those that did get one enjoy their edition. Over 110 copies were sold!

Volunteers Needed: Please complete and return volunteer forms ASAP. Thanks!

Schedules:  7- Week Session 3 ends: January 27, 2012

12- Week Session 2 ends:  February 17, 2012

                            

December Newsletter

FCS - Action Notes . . .



Giselle, Paxton, and Olivia visited Cedar and Lincoln.



 The “Reading Raggies” project is a middle school service learning project that combines student work completed in Language Arts and Family Consumer Sciences. Rag bags are sewn by students in the 7th grade FCS classes while learning to read and follow sewing directions. The 8th grade Language Arts classes write and create the visuals for a children’s book. The Children’s Story Unit gives the 8th grade students an opportunity to take a piece of writing completely through the writing process from draft to publishing. It also gives students an opportunity to create a piece of fiction to share with others, specifically younger children. The final step is the delivery of the projects to the BPS kindergarten classes. Eight students were able to participate in this final step with the help of Mrs. Ragland and Mrs. Bergmeier, parents that volunteered to drive the students to the schools. THANK YOU LADIES! Also, thanks to the kindergarten staff and students for letting us visit your classrooms as we shared our project.



Helen enjoys playing with a young child.



8th grade classes also took a short field trip to a local day care. Thanks to Mrs. Randal and Mr. Kraus for transporting the students! At the day care, students interacted with the younger students as they had a sneak preview of what a career with kids might be like. They checked for ways to keep kids safe and how best to discipline kids.





Students complete various projects.

Many sewing projects were completed during the second session. Both 7th and 8th grade classes practiced using the sewing machine and other small equipment. All were able to practice both sewing and reading skills as they followed directions to complete each project. These projects were selected by the students as they started the session. 7th grade students also shared their "Celebrate Family" projects. Not only did students spend time with family members as they prepared various foods, but also practiced time management skills along with their reading, math, and writing skills.



Students measure accurately.



6th grade students completed their first year in FCS with measuring tasks. First they practiced correct selection and use of the various tools used while measuring food ingredients. They read and followed the correct directions and measured accurately while preparing a few recipes both at school and at home. Trying to double recipes was a challenge for some - Those Fractions were a BIG problem! More practice will be needed next year!

December is just around the corner. And that brings new classes as well as a new month. 6th grade students are on a 12 week rotation. Their classes started November 14, 2011. The 7th and 8th grade groups are on a 7-week rotation and their classes started November 28. A few dates to remember are:

• December 6, 2011 - Sewing Orders are due for both 7th & 8th grade students.
• December 5, 2011 - FCS Cookbooks will go on sale. Listen to the announcements for details!

Enjoy the Holiday Season!