HomeSchool: Home Economics

 I love home making {most of the time}and I really want our daughter to enjoy it to!  More than that, I want her to be skilled before she leaves home so that she doesn't have to learn everything all at once. My sweet Mum was an amazing whirlwind of activity when I was growing up - she could do everything faster, better and up to her standard without our help - and she did! We got away with murder when it came to chores - she did it all for us! Can you say spoiled? I did laundry for the first time under the close tutelage of a friend at summer camp - in a laundromat. I learned to wash dishes at camp too. I mastered vacuuming and clean bathrooms at Bible College - my room-mates taught me. When the Historian and I were first married, I spent countless hours on the phone with my Mum asking cooking questions - and served more than my fair share of burnt offerings to my poor husband. 

I had a lot to learn.  

I'm not the whirlwind of energy my Mum was.  I've needed a lot more help with chores then she did, 

and so both children are actually quite skilled in many of the basics already. 

I like to think that's one of the many blessings of chronic health struggles.

Our Dreamer is by nature A Messy - she has the uncanny ability to turn a tidy room into utter chaos in less than 24 hours - but I still hold out hope for change! 

Figuring out how to inspire that change has been a challenge.  

I'm ready for another tactic.  

Nothing as drastic as boot camp or anything, but something that will inspire.

 Here's my latest plan - making the basics of home keeping a grade 9  

High School Elective Course 

- complete with grades, tests, and fun projects. 

Dreamer and I have been bouncing around ideas based on the Biblical example of the Proverbs 31 Woman so this is a combination of things she wants to learn and things I think she ought to master!

We are almost ready to get started!

 Grade 9 Home Economics Class

Based on Proverbs 31

 Table of Contents: {so far}

 I.                    Course Objectives and Overview

  II.                 How to Clean the Right Way

a.       Read Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean

b.      Laundry Skills Overview

c.       Stain Removal Chart

 III.               Soap Making 101

 IV.              Vegetable Garden Basics

a.       Planning a Garden

b.      Preparing to Plant

c.       Starting Plants From Seed

d.      Weeding, Watering and Feeding

e.       Harvesting the Bounty

 V.                 The Art of Preserving Food

 a.       Fruit Leather

b.      Freezing Foods – Storage Time Chart

c.       Making Jams and Jellies

d.      In a Pickle

 VI.              Basic Yarn Skills

a.       Make a scarf

b.      Darn a Sock

 VII.            Basic Sewing Projects

a.       Sew a winter hat for yourself

b.      Sew a simple apron using a pattern

VIII.         Advanced Sewing Skills: Garment Construction

a.       Sew a skirt for yourself

b.      Sew a jacket for yourself

c.       Sew a hat for someone else

 IX.              Made By Hand

a.       Embroider a Sampler

 X.                 Food for Thought: Monthly Menu Planning

 XI.              Grocery Store Tips & Strategies

a.       Grocery List Master

b.      Shopping for Sales

c.       Price Comparison

d.      Keeping a well stocked pantry

  XII.            Recipes To Master

 a.       Muffins

b.      Quick Breads

c.       Soup

d.      Yeast Bread – white and whole wheat

e.       Entrée Basics ( 5 meals she can make well consistently before she leaves for college)

f.        Pie - Apple and Pumpkin - her favorites!

 XIII.         Money Sense: Preparing a Budget

a.       Read What Ever Happened to Penny Candy?

b.      Read Money Sense for Kids

 XIV.         Physical Fitness

a.       Physical Activity Log

b.      Calorie Chart

c.       Understanding BMI

 XV.           Candle Making

  XVI.         Personal Style

a.       Flattering and Modest

b.      Your Best Colors

c.       Layers and Accessories

  XVII.      Time Management Basics

a.       Daily Schedule

b.      Chore Chart

c.       To do lists

 XVIII.    Wisdom for a Faithful Woman

a.       Scripture Memorization

b.   Prayer

c.   Bible Study Basics

XIX.         Baby Care Basics

 XX.           Emergency Preparedness

 XXI.         Skin Care Essentials

a.       Read The Herbal Home Spa

b.      Make three skin care products

c.       Plan a spa night for a friend and you!

That's what we've got so far - are we missing anything? 

What do you think is most essential in equipping our girls for life in the grown up world?