Character & Skills Home & Careers Text Package (Chapters 1-5)

Each chapter in this practical series teaches students necessary life skills through a story format. In the first chapter, our story takes us through the purchase and rebuild of a 1957 Chevrolet Belair hardtop. In this narrative, a father and son team repairs the brakes, cooling system, electrical parts and carburetor. They also learn about the use and safety of hydraulic jacks, come-alongs, and ramps. The use of tools is introduced such as open-end wrenches, socket sets, hammers, screw drivers etc. Engine coolant, battery acid, brake fluid, grease and other lubricants are also covered. Character traits such as patience, hard work, commitment and diligence are the focus.

The second chapter introduces students to basic concrete and carpentry skills as a local teenage baseball team works to improve their city park by designing and building a shed for storing baseball equipment. Basic geometry is utilized to prepare the foundation, walls and shed roof. Basic tools such as a hoe, shovel, rake, hammer, framing square, compass, level, measuring tape, trowel, and hand saw are explained. The character traits cooperation and commitment are the focus.

Chapter 3 introduces us to a young married couple who is purchasing an older home in need of repair. Restoration of floors, cabinets and fencing is covered. Students learn about power sanders, posthole diggers, paint sprayers, chain saws and basic home buying. Character traits of hard work, honesty and loyalty are the focus.

Chapter 4 covers the electrician trade as we follow a young teen boy who serves as an apprentice electrician and learns to wire a shop and utility extension. Students learn about the use and safety precautions of amp meters, wire strippers, pliers, outlets, switches, voltage, amperage, current, junction boxes, and more. Character traits of mentorship and learning from others is the focus.

The final chapter introduces restoration of an old farm house, water well and septic system. Skills taught are basic plumbing, wiring and disposal sewage. City codes and building permits are introduced. Character traits of cooperation and hard work are stressed as a family works together to repair and add bathrooms, a kitchen and bedrooms. Each chapter is self-contained and self-instructional. These booklets offer textual information with black and white graphics, ranging from 31-40 pgs. The Full Course Kitcontains the chapter booklets, activities booklets (include 26-32 pages of activities such as fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions), and the Teacher Resource Kit which offers black line masters, activity answer keys, quizzes and tests with answers in a printed format with a digital format available as a free download (with included code) The Activities Booklets are also available separately for additional children. Teacher Resource Kits either in printed form or as a digital CD are available separately.

From Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, you will find this set to be primarily self-teaching. Tools and supplies are recommended for hands-on practical experience but are not required. This course will benefit any teen who would like to learn a diverse set of practical skills, especially those without fathers or mentors in their life who are able to teach these skill sets. ~ Deanne