Let’s Make History

A feature story on the morning news today voiced concern over the poor performance of US students in the area of history.  The reporter speculated that a contributing factor was the emphasis on reading and math in the No Child Left Behind legislation.  However, an expert interviewed for the story also voiced concern that history is not being presented in the classroom as the story of real people and their day to day lives. 

I’m sure that both factors have contributed to our lack of proficiency and interest in history, but the question is, “What can be done to correct the problem?”.  I think that this is another area in which the value of FACS is being underutilized.  We can teach history through our curriculum in a way that students can understand and appreciate.

There are some wonderful historical novels that fit beautifully into the FACS curriculum.  Here are a few of my personal favorites.

• Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson
• Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
• Penny From Heaven by Jennifer Holm
• The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
• Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

A couple of years ago I wrote a resource At Home With History, Project, Recipes and Fun Facts to Bring Social Studies to Life in the FACS Classroom.  In this resource I share lots of ideas for seamlessly incorporating American history into FACS.  Some of the activities in At Home With History include:

• My Family History Project
• Heritage Scrapbooking
• 50 recipes which have historical significance
• Profiles and activities for 20 FACS Pioneers
• Crafts and costumes
• Today in FACS History

Teaching American history can be fun and fascinating and it can be an integral part of the FACS curriculum.  I encourage you to look for opportunities to bring history into your classroom.  It’s an area where our students need a boost and like always, FACS teachers are ready and able to step up to the plate.  Show your administrator that you’re ready to get in the game!

Have a Fresh FACS day!

Ramona

Show Me the Money!

I know what it’s like trying to stretch the often meager budget you’re given by your school districts.  That’s why I thought I’d share a few money-saving ideas I’ve recently come across.  Hope you find something here that you can use.

I just finished the revisions to High Tech Home Ec Version 3.1 and two of the new sections I included use great tools from Calculated Industries:  KitchenCalc and Quilter’s FabricCalc.  Both of these amazing devices would be very useful in the FACS curriculum.  Learn more about these devices, go to http://www.calculated.com/  Click on the Quick Product Index to access product information.

Here’s the money-saving news.  Calculated Industries offers a very generous discount to schools on the purchase of their calculators.  Educators can purchase a single calculator for 25% of the MSRP.  The discount goes up to 36% off when you purchase six or more calculators for classroom use.  They also offer an Emulator that can be loaded on a computer to provide calculator functionality for use with SMART Boards and other interactive whiteboards.  To receive these discounts, you need to contact the company directly and ask for someone in the Education Division.  Call 775.445.6256 and ask for the Education Division or email Jeff Spector at jeffs@calculated.com.

Here’s an opportunity to apply for a grant to enhance your program through a gardening project.  Whole Foods Market is sponsoring a School Garden Grant Program and the application process just opened August 17th.  Whole Kids Foundation will grant 1000 schools $2000 each to build or expand a school garden.  Why not follow Alice Waters’ example and partner with your Agriculture department, local elementary school, community collect or community garden club and develop a school garden?  (Don’t know Alice Waters?  Learn more at http://www.chezpanisse.com/about/alice-waters/) Your students could learn so much from growing, harvesting, preparing and preserving fresh produce!  Grant information is available at: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/08/apply-school-garden-grant/?utm_source=Responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011_08_17_Specials

For inspiration, check out these websites:

www.edibleschoolyard.org

http://www.ecoliteracy.org/change/school-gardens

I’ll continue to be on the look out for ways to stretch your FACS budget.  Do you have financial wisdom or insights to share?  We’d love to post them on this blog.  Just register as a user and send them along to share with your FACS friends.

Have a Fresh FACS day and a super weekend!

Ramona