All of the courses in our department meet the Lincoln Public Schools graduation requirements for Applied Arts. In addition, 3 of our courses meet the Human Behavior requirement and one course meets a semester of the Science requirement necessary for students to graduate. These graduation requirement courses are also accepted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as meeting specific entrance requirements into their programs. For that reason we offer all courses every semester rather than alternate every other year. This does mean several singleton classes for teachers and more class preparations, but since the knowledge and skills we teach are not attainable in other curriculum areas, there is a huge responsibility to provide as many student options as possible.

Innovative Strategies Motivate Students
I feel I use innovative ways to motivate students, both to enroll in my classes and to succeed at high levels. Some of the ideas incorporated into the Foods and Culinary Arts curriculum are Iron Chef competitions, Chili Cook-Offs, Lunch for a Buck, Multicultural/Unity Festivals, Renaissance Fairs, publishing cookbooks in classes, student entrepreneurship projects (e.g. jar gifts, holiday cookie plates) and recognitions for school and community events.

My motivation for involving students in a large variety of school and community learning projects and activities stems from a need to help students and others recognize the skills students possess if they are given the opportunity to learn and participate in a variety of learning styles. School is about helping students learn and achieve at high levels and many need hands-on learning activities not available in other curricular areas.

During the Chili Cook-Off students are excited to name their product, combine or create their own unique combination of ingredients, talk to family members about their own recipes, and serve their product in a creative and unique way. They hover over the judges pointing out the details that make theirs a blue ribbon winner. We have a presentation of awards, much like the Olympics with ribbons, medals, pictures and music. All groups receive awards, as we designate several categories of competition, like most unique use of ingredients, most creative method of serving, etc. All categories are posted on the school web site and printed in the Spartan Newsletter Accolades section. Parents often call requesting additional copies for grandparents and other relatives.

During the past six years, students have been involved in a unique project that teaches them skills in mass production, product ordering, public relations, product development, finance, sales and marketing. Throughout the fall semester they produce and market jar gifts of mixes for soups, cookies, brownies, flavored coffees and snacks. The offerings vary from year to year as the students evaluate the success of each product. In addition to the invaluable insight this gives to students, the faculty is able to participate in and support the program. These students also plan and prepare light lunch for staff members on Parent-Teacher conference days. Where else would they learn how to feed 200 people with delicious, attractive, and healthful foods under a very meager budget?

I strongly believe in using the theory of Multiple Intelligences in the classroom. I teach students to understand their own intelligences and always incorporate a variety into every lesson I teach.

Another innovative approach used to help motivate and increase student learning is the Gallup Organization’s StrengthsFinder tool. Each student completes the on-line questionnaire and receives their top 5 Strengths. Along with a thorough explanation of what these look like in their daily lives. I am a trained StrengthsFinder coach and use this information to help students understand self and others as they work together in the classroom. I also share my Strengths and this empowers students with a better understanding of my expectations and behaviors as a teacher. It is by far the best genuine self-esteem tool I have used. I am able to provide learning experiences capitalizing on utilization of student Strengths rather than on non-strengths. I believe this also enhances teacher/student relationships, because students know I am not asking them to work beyond their potential capabilities.

Long after students have graduated and started their own careers, many return to share the information/skills that helped them in their lives, families and careers. I am also fortunate to be able to teach many students whose parents were also once students in my classroom. It is rewarding and heartwarming to learn what parents say they learned and still use from their Family & Consumer Sciences classes.

Program Linked to National, State and School Standards
As a 5 year member of East High’s North Central Accreditation School Improvement Committee, I have been able to incorporate our goals into all aspects of my curriculum. Enhanced reading and comprehension skills, career outcome information, building respect for self and others, and oral communication skills integrate well into all the classes in our department.

I believe the continued growth of the FCS department, enrollment and the administrative support we have is due to our deep commitment to helping all students learn. We believe every student can accomplish our objectives; some just need additional time and teacher support. This success is further evidenced by the large number of students who are successful and return to take multiple courses in our department.

Each day is new—new challenges, questions, information, knowledge and students. Family and Consumer Sciences offers opportunities for all students to grow and develop to their full potential.

All objectives in our curriculum are linked to standards-national, state and school district, and outcomes are assessed using as many types of authentic assessment as possible. Additional forms of assessment include rubrics, criteria set by the Nebraska and National Restaurant Association and guidelines established by the school district FCS staff and teachers.

Top