Category: Life Skills

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.

Baby Layette

If you teach a child development, parenting or family class and need to incorporate a financial component, then this Baby Layette project may be just what you are looking for! Not only do students learn what a baby layette is, but they also must put one together following a variety of budget ranges. Read on to learn more…

Teen Relationship Lesson: Breaking Up

When teaching about dating, healthy relationships and behaviors, it’s important to include a lesson on breaking up. Why? Because there are some guidelines to breaking up correctly and I’ve seen way too many teens break up in disrespectful ways. This Teen Relationship Lesson: Breaking Up explores the do’s and don’ts of break up behaviors and incorporates a popular artists’ music as well. So, if you have any “Swiftie fans” in your class, this will surely get their attention!

Pop Culture Baking Mix Project

The Pop Culture Baking Mix Project was inspired by the Bridgerton Baking Mixes offered from Betty Crocker!  I thought it was such a cool idea and thought of a ton of television and movies that teens might be inspired to create baking mixes for that I created this project for use in many classes from foods to marketing. So, have a look and hope you’re inspired as well!

Swaddling Blankets vs Sleep Sacks Investigation

I’ve read recently that there is now some controversy associated with these two infant sleeping practices. So what better way to get students to learn about what’s going on and then make their own decisions is to have them complete the Swaddling Blankets vs Sleep Sacks Investigation!  This is a great stand alone assignment when teaching about infants, but it can also serve as a great sub plan when you have to be out!

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.