Category: Life Skills Resources

Cards of Kindness

When is the last time you received a thank you card…an actual card? So many people want to say thank you via an email or text. On the one hand, it’s great they are acknowledging the thought, words or actions that prompted it, but on the other, it’s so nice to receive that actual card, especially if they took the time to write it or better yet, make it! Cards of Kindness explores whether thank you notes still matter before students learn how to write a thank you note and then actually construct one from a variety of recyclable items!

Old-Fashion Habits–Worth It or Not?

Recently, I ran across an article talking about the revival of old habits and it got me thinking about how these habits would impact family life, consumerism and the environment today. After thinking about it for awhile, I thought it might make for an interesting lesson for students to explore and learn more about. Thus, the lesson Old- Fashion Habits–Worth It or Not? was born!

Make Your Own Series: Flavored Finishing Salts

It’s been awhile since I shared a post in this series. So, in this Make Your Own Series, I’ll be sharing products that can easily be made from scratch, using common ingredients. Today I’m sharing…Make Your Own Series: Flavored Finishing Salts. Introduce your students to different types of salts, their characteristics and uses before creating their own finishing salts and experimenting with them in the lab.

Teen Pregnancy Scenario

Sometimes when teaching about sensitive topics, it helps to have a scenario or case study to work with. This Teen Pregnancy Scenario, will provide you with just that along with some related follow-up activities. Continue reading to learn more…

Plan a Winter Ski Trip–Budget Project

Instead of just teaching an overview of the family life cycle stages, I started teaching it in more depth and exploring some topical issues faced in stage. When I got to the launching stage, I wanted the focus to be on something fun so I assigned my students the “Plan a Winter Ski Trip–Budget Project”. This is an engaging project that could be adapted and taught in many classes. I selected a ski getaway as there are many ski options within a 3 hour drive of our location. However, if skiing is not an option where you live, adapt it to an activity, sport or event that is.

Cowboy Cookies

When teaching students measuring skills and then introducing them to the kitchens and labs, I often demonstrate a recipe. Demonstrations can be helpful because students see the measuring that needs to be done using the same equipment and tools that will be available to them. It also shows them the mixing procedures and what it should look like at various stages until it reaches the final product. This Cowboy Cookies recipe is one I’ve used over the years that students have enjoyed and is nut free. This recipe can easily be made by students and because I always had extra cookies, we shared them in the office for all faculty and staff to enjoy!  

Mashed Potato Bowl Challenge

A particularly famous fast food eatery offers a mashed potato bowl option on their menu. This meal in a bowl has gained popularity over the years, but why limit yourself to their version when you can make your own? In this Mashed Potato Bowl Challenge, students will create and market their own version of a mashed potato bowl to a panel of judges based on specific criteria. Let the challenge begin!

Salary to Budget Hyperdoc

We all know that to manage our finances effectively, it helps to have a plan…aka budget.  With that being said, many high school students and young adults have no idea how to do this. If you teach any courses, classes or units that include adulting or financial literacy, this Salary to Budget Hyperdoc is a must to get them ready for life!  Initially, the hyperdoc puts the learning in the hands of the students as they independently work through the basics about budgets before applying what they’ve learned in a simulated budget, paper plate visual project, using a randomly assigned occupation and salary. Learn more as you continue reading.

Communication in the Workplace

We all know that communication is essential in the workplace, but do students realize how important it is? Thanks to Sasha Roble, a PA Cooperative Education Coordinator – Capstone for Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, for sharing this fun, engaging lesson. Communication in the Workplace will help students understand, not only the importance of communication, but the process, the causes of ineffective communication as well as forms of non-verbal communication.

Gobbledy Gooks Measuring Lab

If you really want to get the attention of your students when it comes to the importance of measuring and reading (and understanding) a recipe, assign the Gobbledy Gooks Measuring Lab! This non-sensical lab will give them a challenge, make them laugh and even frustrate them!  However, it will also reinforce the need for correct terms and tools (actual measuring skills) as well as understanding tasks when preparing a recipe. So, if you’ve never tried this recipe out with your students, I encourage you to give it a try.