Welcome to Lakeview Consumer Education

The Sixth Grade Students Have Been Busy!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:11:00 +0000

The sixth graders started the week by making personal time lines which indicate their successes, the activities that they deem important, and the goals that they have set for the future. I have enjoyed getting to know more about these very energetic students!

We have begun our Clothing Care and Laundry Skills Unit. Mending clothes was first on the list. Each student worked independently to sew on a button. Several classes of 6th graders watched my Power Point slide show on “How to Sew a Button”. After a step-by-step demonstration the students were able to use their instruction sheet to successfully sew on a two-hole button. The most challenging step in sewing the button was properly securing the knot at the end of the thread. I am happy to announce that most of the students completed the task the first time they attempted it! Thanks to Dr. Tiede for helping during our 4th period class on Friday. Perhaps you would like to ask your child to show you how to sew on a button at home. Happy sewing.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Bretl

Welcome to Consumer Education 6th Graders!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:12:00 +0000

It was great spending time with family and friends this week. I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I am energized and ready for trimester two and the 6th grade students.

I am the Consumer Education teacher here at Lakeview Junior High School. This is my eighth year teaching Consumer Education. I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and received my Master's degree and teaching certificate from Northern Illinois University. I am delighted to be teaching here at Lakeview.

Mrs. Judy Bretl
Consumer Education Teacher
Phone: (630) 783-5034
Email: jbretl@ccsd66.org

Consumer Education is a Family and Consumer Science course designed to help middle school students learn the life skills they need to be responsible, productive family and community members.

The units of study for your sixth grader include:
Nutrition
Kitchen Safety and Sanitation
Food Preparation
Consumer Awareness
Babysitting Safety
Clothing Care and Laundry Tips
Sewing Skills

Most of our coursework will be done in class. We will have very little homework due to the “hands-on” nature of our labs. Your child will use the textbook Discovering Food and Nutrition in class. If necessary, students may check out a textbook from me in order to make up work. I am available before school each morning and during study hall “A”.

There are many consumable materials used in this class. To help defer the cost of the consumable material, a $20.00 lab fee is necessary. Please pay the lab fee within the first week of class. Checks may be made payable to District 66. We prefer a check, but will accept cash. For cash payment, please put in an envelope with your child's name on it.

I am looking forward to an exciting trimester working with your child. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Sew... a needle pulling thread!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:03:00 +0000

After discussing clothing care and various laundry tips the 8th grade students learned how to sew on a button this week. They didn't stop at just a button, though. Each student selected a pattern design of their choice and used their newly acquired hand-sewing skills to sew a miniature pillow or ornament. The students are using felt and embroidery floss to complete their projects. They were very creative in their design choices. Since the students are working so diligently we are taking an extra day to finish the projects. I hope they will share them with you on Monday.

Have a nice weekend.

Mrs. J. Bretl

What a feast!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The 8th grade students prepared quite a feast this week. They did a fine job peeling, coring, paring, cutting, chopping, mixing, baking, tossing, stirring, and unmolding strawberry delight jello, taco salad, cheesy potato casserole and apple crisp.
The students used all of the skills they have acquired this trimester to prepare this well-balanced meal. I hope they will share some of their talents with you. You may get a night off of kitchen duty.

Enjoy your weekend.

Mrs. J. Bretl

Creative Pizzas!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that the 8th graders are ready to complete their trimester in Consumer Education. They only have two weeks left before they move on to their next Encore class.
Our lab this week involved making the designer pizza recipes that each class created. The students were very pleased with their creations. I must admit that the pizza recipes turned out very well. Nice job!

Have a nice weekend.

Mrs. J. Bretl

Design Your Own Pizza!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

This week the 8th grade students were able to design their own pizzas. Each lab worked together to create an original pizza recipe. The students needed to include foods from several food groups in their pizza without repeating ingredients. Each group presented their favorite pizza recipe to the class and the class voted for their top choice.
All of the classes did a fine job creating unique pizza recipes. The students used a variety of resources to come up with the right ingredients and amounts needed for each pizza.
The students will bake and eat their pizzas next week. It should be fun!

I hope you enjoy the weekend. Happy Halloween!

Mrs. J. Bretl

Brownies are the most popular bar cookie in town!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

The students learned about the six basic types of cookies this week. They discovered that the main difference in cookies is in the way they are shaped.

Our lab this week involved making brownies from scratch! The eighth grade students made the brownies and baked them one day and ate them the next day. It was quite interesting to see how different each batch of brownies turned out. Be sure to ask your child if their brownies were chewy, gooey, or crunchy. It is all in the measuring!

Have a nice weekend.

Sincerely,

Mrs. J. Bretl

On Top of Spaghetti...

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

This week the 8th grade students learned how easy it is to make one of their favorite one-dish meals. Spaghetti! They even discussed how nutritious it is. Students also determined that one-dish mixtures are convenient and economical entrees.

The spicy aroma of spaghetti sauce and garlic bread filled the hallways and brought many teachers down to the Consumer Education lab to find out what smelled so good! Several teachers had the chance to be taste-testers. The recipe got rave reviews!

I hope your child shares this recipe with you. Each student did a fabulous job!

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,

Mrs. J. Bretl

What makes a meal appealing?

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The 8th grade students explored how to use variety to make meals appealing. They were very creative in planning their menus: making sure to include a variety of flavors, textures, colors, temperatures, as well as nutritious foods. Each student completed a three-dimensional representation of the menu plan they created last week. I was very pleased with the variety of menus that each class created.

Now that the 8th grade students have several foods' labs behind them things are settling down a bit. Each class was able to get the lab completed on time. The students also did much better with clean up this week.

We made cheese pizza in our lab this week. The students did a great job making the dough and assembling the pizzas. I was impressed with how well the pizza crusts turned out. The students also did a fine job consuming their pizzas.

Have a good weekend.

Mrs. J. Bretl

Yum Yum Cinnamon!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The 8th grade students started the week by discussing menu planning and meal management. They were able to determine how to analyze menus for variety in color, shape, texture, temperature of foods and nutritional value. We ended the week by planning a healthy meal including an entree, salad or fruit, side dish and dessert. Students will be evaluating their menu plan next week and creating a three-dimensional representation of their meal. Bon appetite!

Our lab was sandwiched in the middle of the week. The students made Cinnamon Pull-Apart Rolls. The hallways were filled with their sweet aroma. MMMM MMMM! The students put forth great effort in planning the lab and following directions. The Cinnamon Pull-Apart Rolls turned out great! I hope they will share the recipe with you.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. J. Bretl

Such a busy week!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:00:00 +0000

We reviewed good manners and appropriate table etiquette this week. The 8th grade students seem to be well versed in this area. They did a nice job brainstorming the good manners that they use everyday. The students were able to make posters depicting many of them. I am sure that they practice these same good manners at home, too.

Our lab for the week was Easy Oatmeal Cookies. The students worked well with their lab partners and had successful lab results. A few of the Lakeview teachers were lucky enough to receive some leftovers. The cookies got rave reviews!

The 8th grade Golf Field Trip was Friday. I am glad that the weather held out just long enough for the students to finish.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

A Job Well Done!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The first cooking lab for the 8th grade students went very well this week. The students made creamy caramel apple dip which they served with Granny Smith apples. I was very impressed with how well they worked with their lab partners.

The students did a nice job with kitchen safety, lab procedures, and clean up as well. Keep up the good work!

Have a nice weekend.

Sincerely,

Mrs. J. Bretl

Safety First!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

It was nice to see so many parents at Open House last night. I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Consumer Education classroom.
The 8th grade students completed a short review of kitchen safety, kitchen equipment and measuring techniques this week. The review was especially beneficial to those students that have not been in Consumer Education class since sixth grade. Our first lab will take place next week. The 8th graders are ready to cook!

The students did very well on their quizzes yesterday. I will let them know their scores next week.

Have a relaxing weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Managing Money

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:05:00 +0000

I have found that the 8th grade students love money. They love to spend money, they love to earn money and many of them love to save money! It was quite exciting to hear how many students save part of their allowance or their earned income each week. In discussing money matters this week students were able to determine the importance of setting goals when planning for the future. Students were able to explain the difference between "wants" and "needs" and use this data to create a personal budget.

We will be reviewing kitchen safety, equipment and measuring techniques next week. Our first cooking lab will take place the week of September 14th.

Have a relaxing weekend!

Mrs. Bretl
Consumer Education Teacher
Lakeview Junior High School

Getting reacquainted!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Our first trimester is in full swing and the 8th grade students are already working hard! We have been doing a few "getting reacquainted" activities this week. The students have been discussing goals they have set for themselves this year. They will be completing a personal time line in class next week where they will incorporate these goals. I have asked them to collect some photos and magazine pictures for this project.

I am learning many interesting things about each student. It is quite evident that all of the 8th grade students are ready for a great year. Their enthusiasm is very refreshing!

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Ready For A Great Year!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:05:00 +0000

I am the Consumer Education teacher here at Lakeview Junior High School. This is my eighth year teaching Consumer Education. I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics and received my Master's degree and teaching certificate from Northern Illinois University. I am delighted to be teaching here at Lakeview.

Mrs. Judy Bretl
Consumer Education Teacher
Phone: (630) 783-5034
Email: jbretl@ccsd66.org

Consumer Education is a Family and Consumer Science course designed to help middle school students learn the life skills they need to be responsible, productive family and community members.

The units of study for your eighth grader include:
Nutrition
Kitchen Safety and Sanitation
Food Preparation
Consumer Awareness and Money Management
Budgeting and Comparison Shopping
Sewing Skills

Most of our coursework will be done in class. We will have very little homework due to the “hands-on” nature of our labs. Your child will use the textbook Discovering Food and Nutrition in class. If necessary, students may check out a textbook from me in order to make up work. I am available before school each morning and during study hall “A”.

There are many consumable materials used in this class. To help defer the cost of the consumable material, a $20.00 lab fee is necessary. Please pay the lab fee within the first week of class. Checks may be made payable to District 66. We prefer a check, but will accept cash. For cash payment, please put in an envelope with your child's name on it.

I am looking forward to an exciting trimester working with your child. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:00:00 +0000

This was quite a fun-filled week. All of the seventh grade students made Oreo Cookie Ice Cream in our Consumer Education Lab. Most of the lab groups have gotten to eat their ice cream already.

The students couldn't believe how easy it was to make the recipe. They were very proud of themselves. I must admit it did taste yummy. Several teachers were able to be taste testers along with me.

The seventh graders will be bringing their recipe packets home this week. I hope they continue to cook at home during the summer.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

The Seventh Grade Students Loved This Lab!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:00:00 +0000

It was easy to tell that the lab this week was a huge success. The students completed their two-day lab by making Tater Tot Casserole and Strawberry Fruit Delight Jello Rings. Each lab group made one of the recipes and the food was served buffet style. There were no leftovers! I hope the students get a chance to make these at home sometime. The lab results were spectacular!

The students also spent time this week learning how salads fit into a healthy eating plan. They discovered various ways to put salads together; mixed or tossed, arranged in an attractive pattern, or molded in a decorative container. Each student designed a salad creation using one of the styles they learned about this week. I was pleased to see the students use a variety of fruits and vegetables in their salad creations.

Have an enjoyable weekend.

Mrs. J. Bretl

Eat your veggies!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:00:00 +0000

We continued our discussion on nutrition and the benefits of eating ample fruits and vegetables each day. The students investigated the various nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. They were able to make connections with the roles these nutrients play in keeping our bodies healthy. Students used magazines and cookbooks to find recipes with many healthy fruits and vegetables.
Our lab this week followed suit; we made fresh fruit kabobs with yogurt dip and taco salad wraps. Each kitchen lab made one of the recipes and shared the food with another kitchen so the students were able to taste both recipes. The results were quite successful. The students worked extremely well this week and were able to complete many tasks in a short amount of time. Nice job!

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Breakfast... a great beginning!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:00:00 +0000

We started our Nutrition Unit this week by discussing daily food choices and the importance of eating breakfast every morning. Students worked with a partner to plan a healthy breakfast menu that included food choices from at least three of the food groups. I was pleased to see how many students eat breakfast every day. Studies have shown that "students that eat breakfast do much better in school than the breakfast-skippers". I still need to encourage a few nonbelievers.
Our cooking lab this week was a great example of how easy it is to make and eat a healthy breakfast. The students were able to prepare, bake and eat "Fast and Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes" in one class period. Students measured accurately and worked together efficiently; the result was a very successful lab.
Several students took the recipe home for the weekend in hopes of making a "great beginning" for Mom on Mother's Day.
Enjoy the weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Let Them Eat Cake!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Our lab for the week was Wacky Chocolate Cake. The students made the cake and baked it on the first day of the lab. They discovered that the recipe involved a chemical reaction with vinegar and baking soda. On the second day of the lab the students made their own Butter Icing and devoured the cake.

A few students shared some of the cake with their teachers. It was a big hit! The band students were able to have their cake and eat it too!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Manners Do Matter!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:15:00 +0000

We reviewed good manners and appropriate table etiquette this week. The students seem to be well versed in this area. They did a nice job brainstorming the good manners that they use everyday. The students were able to make posters depicting many of them. I am sure that they practice these same good manners at home, too.

Our lab for the week was Snickerdoodle Cookies. The students worked well with their lab partners and had successful lab results.

The 7th grade Career Fair Field Trip that we took Wednesday was enjoyable. The students had the opportunity to explore a variety of careers at the Technology Center of DuPage County. I visited the Engineering area and the Culinary Arts' presentation. The students were able to use "Royal Icing" to make their own cake decorations at the Culinary Arts' workshop. Most of the students did a great job; although I think they found it to be much harder than they expected.

Enjoy this beautiful weekend!

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Muffin Time!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000

The seventh grade students worked very well together on their first lab this week. They were quite busy making Cinnamon Muffins. The pleasant aroma of cinnamon filled the hallways on Thursday and Friday. I am pleased to announce that every lab had successful results.

I could tell that the students were very proud of themselves. They were all willing to help each other out. Nice job!

Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Rested, refreshed and ready ...for labs!

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:04:00 +0000

The seventh grade students came back from Spring Break ready to work. We spent the week reviewing kitchen safety and equipment, food safety and sanitation, and measuring techniques. The students were able to predict common kitchen accidents and identify appropriate procedures to follow in order to prevent them from happening.

I am happy to announce that the grades from our quiz on Thursday were exceptionally good! The students will get their quizzes back on Monday. Our first lab is next week!

Enjoy the upcoming weekend.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl

Career Exploration

jbretl@ccsd66.org (Mrs. Judy Bretl) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:29:00 +0000

The seventh grade students completed their job brochures in the IMC this week. Excellent job! When they were finished they were able to use the Internet to explore various careers based on their own personal interests. Each student was able to complete a web quest using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' web page. The web site includes introductory career information. The occupations on the site are categorized according to interests and hobbies such as reading, nature, sports and helping people.
In the classroom we used our Food and Nutrition textbook to investigate careers in the field of Family and Consumer Science as well as Food and Nutrition. The seventh grade students were able to identify numerous vocations in these areas. I have included a link to the Labor Statistics website at the top of this page. Feel free to take a peek.
We also snuck in a quick measuring review and demonstration on Friday. Puppy Chow for all! Yummy!

Have a restful Spring Break.

Sincerely,
Mrs. J. Bretl