Saturday, August 25, 2007

It used to be called Home Ec

My seventh grader is taking FACS this quarter. FACS is Family and Consumer Science. It is the equivalent of the Home Ec I took in middle school, but it also goes beyond.

School has been in session for two weeks. Last week he made us calzones for appetizers. His younger brother said they were the second best thing he has ever eaten. (We aren't sure what the first best thing is, but I can assure you that chicken is not one of the ingredients.) Now he has to cook us something else out of the cookbook. After he makes it, he has to write what we thought of it, any changes he made to the recipe, and how it all went. Then I have to sign it. When I was in home ec, we just cooked in class. I never had to make anything at home. However, he is doing a great job of it.

They also have "smart" babies in the classroom. These are robot dolls that cry when you do not take care of them properly. I am hoping that one never comes home for homework. It is all we can do to keep up with the real baby in our house. Alex says they are harder to take care of than real babies. Maybe our baby is just a well behaved baby? I don't know. But I have found a place I can safely donate two used baby seats. They can use them for the smart babies.

Anyway, school is going well for all of the kids. Amy LOVES her preschool. She runs in every morning, and doesn't want to leave in the afternoons. She has made a new "best friend," and asked the teacher if her seat could be moved so she could sit with her new friend. (Precocious, isn't she?) Her incredible wonderful teacher complied.

Ed had a rocky start to first grade, but then he has never been one for change. He is doing better now. He has two certified teachers and a student teacher in the classroom, so they are really able to differentiate instruction for the different levels.

And Sam is a happy baby. He loves the sitter, and crawls around with the other kids. They are a happy group.

4 comments:

Granny Fran said...

I am so impressed with all you are able to accomplish. Glad you are enjoying your new life work.

Kate North said...

...and you are a happy mum to have at least some of them back in school at least part time? :) Mine are home until next week, but then again, then didn't finish school until late July, so I can't really complain!

Anonymous said...

Happy kids = happy, guiltfree mom! Plus, the lucky kids you teach get the benefit of your attention too. Don't suppose there's much point in telling you not to spread yourself too thin, is there?

Debra Dixon said...

Maybe you can encourage the cooking once a week to last all school year. You may have a budding chef and you would hate to stifle that, wouldn't you? It could be a real help to you too!