Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic, and FACS?!

By Donna Corder, National Consultant Team

Reading, (w) Riting and (a) Rithmetic has been a part of education for a very long time.  Most of us grew up learning about the three R’s and how they fit into a student’s learning curriculum.  In fact, it has been stated that if education was a three legged stool, the three R’s would be the legs holding education together.   So, what does that have to do with Family and Consumer Sciences and FCCLA?

The FACS and FCCLA curriculum is the seat, on that three legged stool, that allows the core curriculum to stand.  Through the in-depth projects and classroom activities, FACS and FCCLA provide the other three R’s to complete a balanced education:  Rigor, Relevance and Relationships.  (Check out the March 13 blog for ideas of how to incorporate core subjects into your classroom.) 

The core curriculum is the basic essence of FACS education.  Can you imagine preparing a catered dinner in Culinary Arts without math skills, reading skills or even writing skills?  What about designing a garment for a fashion show or teaching and working with children?  Even in FCCLA, members are required to write and read and do math in many of the STAR and Demonstration Events.  FCCLA officers write letters, complete budget forms and read on a daily basis.  The stronger the core curriculum is in our students, the better they perform. 

Through the FACS and FCCLA curriculum students practice these core skills, as well as develop the other three R’s that employers are searching for in their future employees.  Through Bloom’s Taxonomy, students are challenged to develop their thinking skills through analysis, synthesis and evaluation techniques, adding rigor to the core curriculum.  FCCLA/FACS adds relevance to the core by applying students’ knowledge across different disciplines and to real-world predictable and unpredictable situations.  Relationships are developed between the student, the teacher, and the subject matter.  Students learn to love the core disciplines through the activities in FACS classes and FCCLA events.  FCCLA provides opportunities for students to practice these skills OUTSIDE of the classroom therefore bringing in the final element for preparation for a positive and successful future.  

Yes, Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic are the three legs of the education stool and the foundation for our students basic education.  However, without Family, Consumer Sciences and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, there is not a seat to hold these core skills together.  Through FACS and FCCLA, students gain Rigor, Relevance and Relationships to complete their education and preparation for their future.