Family and Consumer Science Course Helps Prepare Students with Real-Life Skills

Excelsior and Oak Ridge Middle School students are gaining important hands-on life skills through Family and Consumer Science (FCS) classes. The course provides students with an introduction to a variety of practical subjects, including sewing, cooking, and even interior design.

A Closer Look at Sewing Skills

For many students, one of the most exciting parts of FCS is learning how to sew. According to Sarah Fridono, FCS teacher, students start with basic hand sewing. They learn a few essential stitches, such as how to sew on a button, before moving on to more complex projects. “They complete a felt pillow project entirely by hand, which is a great introduction to the craft,” she said.

The next step involves machine sewing, and that’s where the excitement begins. “A lot of students love learning how to use a sewing machine,” Mrs. Fridono explained. “It can be challenging at first, but once they get the hang of it, they feel a real sense of pride in what they create.” As part of their current work, students are sewing keychains and preparing for their final project: a pillow. After break, they will shift focus to cooking.

The FCS sewing unit teaches much more than just technique. “It’s about building life skills,” Mrs. Fridono noted. “The class helps students become more independent, teaching them how to cook for themselves and fix their clothes.”

For many students, the sewing unit has been an unexpected highlight. “Some kids come in saying they don’t want to sew, but once they try the sewing machine, they’re surprised by how much they enjoy it,” Mrs. Fridono said.

Culinary Classes Stir Interest

The cooking component of FCS is another popular subject among students. Mrs. Fridono shared that last quarter, students made homemade pizza from scratch, learning everything from how yeast works to letting dough rise. “Every student I asked said that making the pizza was their favorite part of the quarter,” she said. This hands-on culinary experience gives students a deeper understanding of food preparation and the science behind cooking.

In Marcia Kreutner’s 8th-grade FCS class, students build on their previous culinary knowledge with more complex recipes. “They’ve learned basic cooking techniques in 7th grade, and now they’re tackling more advanced skills,” she said. “Every kid loves food, so they are always excited to see what they will make next.”

How FCS Prepares Students for the Future

Family and Consumer Science classes go beyond sewing and cooking to teach essential life skills that students will carry with them long after graduation. According to Mrs. Kreutner, the lessons learned in FCS have real-world applications, even for students who might not see a direct connection to their future careers.

For example, she explains that learning sewing skills can benefit a future doctor. “A student might say they’ll never need to sew, but doctors give stitches, and the hand-eye coordination learned in sewing will help them in their careers,” she said.

By also incorporating lessons on interior design and lifespan development, students gain exposure to various fields that could influence their future interests. Mrs. Kreutner emphasized that the goal is to make these skills relevant and exciting for the students. “If a student is interested in design, they can learn how to sketch and work with colors. It’s about giving them a creative outlet and the chance to explore different areas of life.”

Both teachers agree that one of the most rewarding parts of teaching FCS is seeing students succeed and develop confidence. “It’s a class where every student can experience success, no matter their background or skill level,” Mrs. Kreutner said. “It’s about effort. If you put in the work, you’ll see the results.”

FCS classes offer Linn-Mar students the chance to learn practical, hands-on skills that will help them throughout their lives. Whether it’s sewing a pillow, making homemade pizza, or exploring a future career, students are gaining valuable experiences that will serve them long beyond the classroom.