Date Modified: September 17, 2025
Curriculum Overview
Family and Consumer Science (FCS) at Legacy Haven Academy equips students in grades 5-12 with essential life skills for independent living, community involvement, and career readiness. Aligned with Arizona Department of Education (AZDoE) standards, the curriculum uses hands-on projects, real-world simulations, and workbook activities to build practical competencies. Key themes include health and safety, financial independence, career exploration, home management, and community relationships, promoting self-sufficiency and ethical decision-making in Arizona-specific contexts like local tourism and agribusiness.
The redesigned FCS curriculum is organized into five core strands to fully integrate the 30 workbooks from Curriculum That Matters bundles: Health, Safety, and Wellness; Financial Literacy and Independence; Career Preparation and Time Management; Home Economics and Daily Skills; and Community Engagement and Relationships. These strands draw from AZDoE Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards, particularly FCS Career Exploration and Career Awareness, ensuring transferable skills for diverse pathways, including skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and higher education. All workbooks are used across strands to support progressive learning, from foundational concepts in grades 5-8 to advanced applications in grades 9-12.
The student-centered approach emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and practical tasks, such as creating budgets or emergency plans, to foster conceptual understanding and fluency. Strands build progressively, with benchmarks ensuring holistic development aligned with Legacy Haven Academy’s mission to prepare students for thriving in family, community, and professional life.
Core Strand 1: Health, Safety, and Wellness
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Apply first aid and emergency response skills effectively.
- Understand medical care, nutrition, and wellness practices.
- Prepare for personal and community health challenges.
- Promote ethical and sustainable health decisions.
Key Topics:
- First aid for injuries and illnesses.
- Medical systems and preventive care.
- Emergency preparedness and response.
- Nutrition, food safety, and long-term wellness.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Students explore basic health and safety through guided activities, using workbooks like First Aid: Internal Injuries, First Aid: External Injuries, Medical Care, and Emergency Preparedness to practice scenarios like building a first aid kit or evacuation plans, progressing to simple wellness projects.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 5.HSW.1: Learn safe ways to handle cuts or burns, like cleaning wounds (aligned to AZDoE FCS Career Exploration 1.9).
- Standard 6.HSW.2: Explain how to respond to emergencies, like calling for help or doing basic CPR (aligned to AZDoE Emergency Preparedness benchmarks).
- Standard 7.HSW.3: Identify healthy eating choices and how they help the body (aligned to AZDoE FCS Career Exploration 1.4, 1.5).
- Standard 8.HSW.4: Plan a personal wellness routine, including exercise and check-ups (aligned to AZDoE Medical Care standards).
- Standard 8.HSW.5: Practice food storage to keep it safe from spoiling (from Food Storage workbook).
- Grades 9-12: Students advance to complex health projects, such as leading first aid drills or analyzing wellness plans, incorporating Preparing for Death and Pets for ethical considerations.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 9.HSW.1: Lead a group in practicing first aid for serious issues like shocks or breaks (from First Aid workbooks).
- Standard 10.HSW.2: Research medical options, like vaccines or treatments, for community health (from Medical Care).
- Standard 11.HSW.3: Create an emergency kit and plan for disasters like floods (from Emergency Preparedness).
- Standard 12.HSW.4: Discuss end-of-life choices, like wills, with respect (from Preparing for Death).
- Standard 12.HSW.5: Care for pets responsibly, including vet visits (from Pets).
Core Strand 2: Financial Literacy and Independence
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Manage personal finances through budgeting and saving.
- Understand income, expenses, and investment basics.
- Apply financial knowledge to home and business decisions.
- Evaluate insurance and economic impacts.
Key Topics:
- Budgeting, banking, and income management.
- Bills, loans, and financial planning.
- Investing, retirement, and entrepreneurship basics.
- Insurance and risk management.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Students build financial basics using workbooks like Income, Bills, Budgeting, Banking and Savings, and Insurance, through activities like tracking allowance or simple budgets.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 5.FL.1: Tell the difference between money you need and money you want (aligned to AZDoE Career Awareness K-5 7.1).
- Standard 6.FL.2: Track daily spending and make a basic budget (from Budgeting).
- Standard 7.FL.3: Learn how paychecks work, including taxes (from Income).
- Standard 8.FL.4: Open a pretend bank account and balance it (from Banking and Savings).
- Standard 8.FL.5: Understand why insurance helps with big costs, like car accidents (from Insurance).
- Grades 9-12: Students tackle advanced financial projects, such as investment simulations or business plans, using Investing and Retirement and Starting a Business.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 9.FL.1: Create a full budget for living on your own, including bills (from Bills).
- Standard 10.FL.2: Compare ways to save and invest money for the future (from Investing and Retirement).
- Standard 11.FL.3: Plan how to start a small business, like pricing products (from Starting a Business).
- Standard 12.FL.4: Analyze loans for buying a home or car (from Bills).
- Standard 12.FL.5: Explain how taxes and withholdings affect take-home pay (aligned to AZDoE Career Awareness K-5 7.6).
Core Strand 3: Career Preparation and Time Management
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Develop job-seeking and career planning skills.
- Manage time effectively for personal and professional goals.
- Explore post-secondary options and lifelong learning.
- Build leadership and entrepreneurial mindsets.
Key Topics:
- Time management and goal setting.
- Job applications, resumes, and interviews.
- Post-high school pathways (college, military, trades).
- Entrepreneurship and career exploration.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Students learn career basics through self-assessments and simple planning, using Managing Your Time, Getting a Job, and Life After High School.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 5.CP.1: Set daily goals and use a schedule to stay on track (from Managing Your Time).
- Standard 6.CP.2: Explore jobs that match your interests and skills (aligned to AZDoE Career Exploration Intro 1.4, 1.5).
- Standard 7.CP.3: Practice filling out a job application (from Getting a Job).
- Standard 8.CP.4: List options after school, like college or trades (from Life After High School).
- Standard 8.CP.5: Work with a team to brainstorm career ideas (aligned to AZDoE Career Awareness K-5 3.4).
- Grades 9-12: Students create career portfolios and lead time-management projects, incorporating Starting a Business for entrepreneurial focus.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 9.CP.1: Write a resume and prepare for a mock interview (from Getting a Job).
- Standard 10.CP.2: Plan a weekly schedule balancing school, work, and fun (from Managing Your Time).
- Standard 11.CP.3: Research college or trade programs that fit your goals (from Life After High School).
- Standard 12.CP.4: Develop a business idea and outline steps to start it (from Starting a Business).
- Standard 12.CP.5: Lead a project on time management for team success (aligned to AZDoE Career Exploration Intro 4.1).
Core Strand 4: Home Economics and Daily Skills
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Master household maintenance and resource management.
- Apply practical skills for clothing, food, and home care.
- Understand transportation and relocation processes.
- Promote sustainable daily living practices.
Key Topics:
- Clothing care and basic sewing.
- Meal planning, cooking, and food preservation.
- Home and auto maintenance.
- Moving and household organization.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Students practice daily skills through hands-on tasks, using Clothing, Planning Meals, Food Storage, Home Maintenance, Automobiles, and Moving.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 5.HE.1: Wash and care for clothes properly, like sorting colors (from Clothing).
- Standard 6.HE.2: Plan a weekly menu with healthy foods (from Planning Meals).
- Standard 7.HE.3: Learn safe ways to store food to avoid waste (from Food Storage).
- Standard 8.HE.4: Clean a room using simple tools and methods (from Home Maintenance).
- Standard 8.HE.5: Check basic car parts, like tires (from Automobiles).
- Grades 9-12: Students manage full home projects, such as meal prep for a week or home repairs, advancing skills with workbook activities.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 9.HE.1: Fix simple clothing issues, like sewing a button (from Clothing).
- Standard 10.HE.2: Prepare and store meals using preservation techniques (from Planning Meals and Food Storage).
- Standard 11.HE.3: Perform basic home maintenance, like changing a lightbulb (from Home Maintenance).
- Standard 12.HE.4: Plan a move, including packing and utilities (from Moving).
- Standard 12.HE.5: Maintain a car safely, like checking fluids (from Automobiles, aligned to AZDoE FCS Career Exploration 1.13).
Core Strand 5: Community Engagement and Relationships
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Build positive relationships and civic responsibilities.
- Understand government, legal systems, and cultural diversity.
- Plan community events and leisure activities.
- Use technology responsibly in social contexts.
Key Topics:
- Civic duties, government, and courts.
- Relationships, family, and cultural understanding.
- Event planning, vacations, and pets.
- Digital citizenship and internet safety.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Students explore community roles through discussions and planning, using Government & Your Civic Responsibilities, The Courts, Understanding Religion, Dating and Marriage, Family History, Vacations, Planning Parties, The Internet, and Pets.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 5.CE.1: Learn about local government and how to vote (from Government & Your Civic Responsibilities).
- Standard 6.CE.2: Understand basic rules in courts, like jury duty (from The Courts).
- Standard 7.CE.3: Explore different religions and how they shape communities (from Understanding Religion).
- Standard 8.CE.4: Discuss healthy relationships and family stories (from Dating and Marriage, Family History).
- Standard 8.CE.5: Plan a simple party or trip safely online (from Planning Parties, Vacations, The Internet).
- Grades 9-12: Students lead community projects, such as event organization or cultural research, deepening engagement with all workbooks.
Standards of Learning:- Standard 9.CE.1: Participate in a mock election or civic activity (from Government).
- Standard 10.CE.2: Analyze legal scenarios, like handling a ticket (from The Courts).
- Standard 11.CE.3: Research family history and its cultural ties (from Family History).
- Standard 12.CE.4: Plan a community vacation or party with a budget (from Vacations, Planning Parties).
- Standard 12.CE.5: Use the internet safely for community connections (from The Internet, aligned to AZDoE Career Awareness K-5 4.4).
Summary of Topics Learned
- Grades 5-8: Students develop foundational life skills across all strands, using every workbook for activities like first aid practice (First Aid series), budgeting (Budgeting), job exploration (Getting a Job), meal planning (Planning Meals), and community discussions (Understanding Religion). Emphasis on AZDoE practical skills builds basics in safety, finance, careers, home care, and relationships.
- Grades 9-12: Advanced integration fosters mastery, with students leading projects like business startups (Starting a Business), home moves (Moving), or cultural events (Planning Parties), aligned to AZDoE CTE for rigorous, real-world application.
Educational Impact
The redesigned FCS curriculum fully aligns with AZDoE standards, incorporating all 30 Curriculum That Matters workbooks to emphasize comprehensive life skills for college, careers, and independence. It supports diverse pathways, including CTE trades like hospitality or agribusiness, by building workforce competencies in health, finance, and community engagement, contributing to Arizona’s economy through practical, ethical preparation.
Resources
- Health, Safety, and Wellness: Workbooks: First Aid: Internal Injuries, First Aid: External Injuries, Medical Care, Emergency Preparedness, Preparing for Death, Pets, Food Storage, Planning Meals (https://curriculumthatmatters.com/product/living-on-your-own-workbooks/, https://curriculumthatmatters.com/product/living-in-your-community-workbooks/). Hands-on: First aid kits. Online: AZDoE CTE (https://www.azed.gov/cte).
- Financial Literacy and Independence: Workbooks: Income, Bills, Budgeting, Banking and Savings, Investing and Retirement, Insurance, Starting a Business. Hands-on: Budget templates. Online: My Future AZ.
- Career Preparation and Time Management: Workbooks: Managing Your Time, Getting a Job, Life After High School, Starting a Business. Online: careertech.org.
- Home Economics and Daily Skills: Workbooks: Clothing, Planning Meals, Food Storage, Home Maintenance, Automobiles, Moving. Hands-on: Tools, fabrics.
- Community Engagement and Relationships: Workbooks: Government & Your Civic Responsibilities, The Courts, Understanding Religion, Dating and Marriage, Family History, Vacations, Planning Parties, The Internet. Online: AZDoE resources.
- Textbooks: Life Skills for Kids (5-8), FCS Career Pathways (9-12). Integrated through project-based activities and AZDoE materials.
Assessment Methods
Mastery of all FCS Standards of Learning, supported by every Curriculum That Matters workbook, is assessed passively through observations in projects (e.g., first aid demos), portfolio reviews (e.g., budgets, plans), and activity-embedded checks. This low-pressure approach measures holistic growth across strands in Legacy Haven Academy’s framework.