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Home Economics and Key Skills

In addition to their specific content and knowledge, the subjects and short courses of junior cycle provide students with opportunities to develop a range of key skills. There are opportunities to support all key skills in this course but some are particularly significant. The examples below identify some of the elements that are related to learning activities in Home Economics. Teachers can also build many of the other elements of particular key skills into their classroom planning.  The eight key skills are set out in detail in Key Skills of Junior Cycle. 

Key Skill Key Skill Element Examples of student learning activities
Being creative
Exploring options and alternatives
Implementing ideas and taking action
 Students apply the design brief process in the making of a textile item for the individual or the home. 
Being literate Expressing ideas clearly and accurately  Students demonstrate the importance of effective communication by making a complaint about a consumer issue by letter/email.
Being numerate 

Developing a positive, disposition towards investigating, reasoning and problem solving

Estimating, predicting and calculating 		 Students apply their numerical skills in the preparation of a budget; adapting recipe ingredients; weighing and measuring out ingredients; room planning; and measuring fabrics.
Communicating

Discussing and debating

Using number
Students will discuss family relationships and the role of communication in strengthening relationships. 
Students conduct a lunch time survey on the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages among a sample of the student body.  Students devise a poster campaign displaying the results and promoting a healthy eating message.
Managing information and thinking

Thinking creatively and critically

Using ICT and digital media to access, manage and share content

 Students, using technology, will work collaboratively to plan a healthy, balanced menu for one day. 
Managing myself Making considered decisions Students will work through a case study on purchasing a new piece of technology for personal use utilising their financial literacy skills in identifying their available resources and needs and wants. 
Staying well
Being healthy and physically active
Being confident
 
 
Being positive about learning
Students will work collaboratively to investigate the nutritional requirements of a particular stage of the lifecycle. 
Students will participate in peer evaluation of student dishes in a positive and constructive manner. 
Students constructively evaluate each other’s textile items.  
Working with others Contributing to making the world a better place Students will advise on a sustainable everyday practice that can be applied in the home e.g. preventing food waste.