The purpose of this program is to increase student knowledge and ability in skills necessary for everyday living. Topics included will be self-assessment relating to others, post secondary education, careers, employment, consumerism, money management, housing, food, marketing and preparation, clothing choices and care. There is special emphasis on using the community as a classroom.  This course gives the type of knowledge needed by everyone for everyday living. (Time frame dependent on teacher discretion and class composition.)

Course Outline:

I. Self-assessment
   A. Personality
   B. Abilities & aptitudes
   C. Interests

II. Values, Goals
   A.Definitions
   B.Needs vs. wants
   C.Sources of values and goals

Ill. Analyzing Resources
   A. Human
       1. knowledge 
       2. skills
       3. energy
   B. Material
       1. time
       2. money
       3. community

IV. Relating to Others
     A. Communication
         1. verbal vs. non-verbal
         2. body language 
         3. barriers
     B. Relationships
         1. family
         2. friends
         3. marriage
         4. parenting

V. Higher Education and/or Employment
     A. Post-secondary education
     B. Career
     C. Getting and keeping a job

VI. Money Management
     A. Understanding a paycheck
         1. gross vs. net
         2. deductions
     B. Budgets
         1. keeping records
         2. fixed vs. variable expenses
         3. preparing a plan
     C. Banking services
         1. checking accounts
         2. savings accounts
         3. investments
         4. credit
     D. Loans and interest rates

VII. Consumerism
     A. Shopping guidelines and skills
         1. impulse buying
         2. advertising
         3. gimmicks
         4. store policies
     B. Warranty, guarantees
     C. Fraud
         1. consumer laws
         2. Better Business Bureau
         3. consumer complaint agencies
     D. Transportation
     E. Insurance
     F. Leisure time

VIII. Housing
       A. Rental vs. ownership
           1. advantages and disadvantages
           2. types of housing
       B. Legalities
           1. leases
           2. deeds
           3. mortgages
           4. furnishing and decorating
           5. housework
           6. simple home maintenance

IX. Food Choices and Preparation 
     A. Nutrition
     B. Menu planning and budgeting
     C. Shopping skills
         1. coupons, refunds, specials, loss leaders
         2. universal product code
         3. unit pricing
         4. labeling
         5. open code dating
     D. Simple meal preparation

X. Clothing
   A. Wardrobe, planning and selection
   B. Shopping for clothes
   C. Clothing maintenance
       1. laundering and cleaning
       2. repairs and alterations

XI. Health Care
     A. Needs
         1. individual
         2. unexpected
     B. Cost vs. benefit
     C. Types
     D. Quackery
     E. Preventative health measures

XII. Service Learning
     A. Needs assessment
     B. Appropriate projects and experiences

XIII. Career Skills and Opportunities
     A. Skills transferable to the workplace
     B. Exploration of course related careers
     C. Levels and requirements of related careers in the area of life skills
         1. Professional
         2. Paraprofessional
         3. Entry level
     D. Career options related to Lifeskills

This framework was created by Marilyn Swierk, CFCS, CFLE.  Questions may be addressed to Marilyn Swierk at 401-884-5510 or msinnovate@aol.com