Home Economics

Home Economics has never been so important as nowadays, with rising levels of social issues such as obesity and poverty. Home Economics is a subject where you will learn how to take care of yourself, others, your home and your environment. Often observed as a female dominated subject, we are proud at Colaiste Dun an Ri to have just under 25% of male students studying Home Economics and hope that this number will continue to grow. As Home Economics is a very practical subject, students will carry out a lot of activities in school and at home. Home Economics at Junior Certificate level is divided into the following areas: Food (theory and practical), Consumer Studies, Social and Health Studies, Resource Management and Home Studies, Textile Studies and an option such as Childcare, Design and Craftwork or a Textile Skills Option.

What will I learn in Home Economics?

Some of the things you will learn about are:

your body - what is good to eat and how to keep healthy
food - how it nourishes your body, how to choose it, store it, and how to prepare and cook it
using money - how to spend it wisely, how to save it, and how you are protected as a consumer your home
design in the home
safety and hygiene
design and craftwork, child development, textiles- you will carry out a project in one of these areas.

How will I learn Home Economics in Colaiste Dun an Ri?

Some of the things you may do with your teacher and classmates are:

follow recipes and cook dishes, in groups and on your own
carry out projects on foods
use textbooks, DVDs, follow PowerPoints, various worksheets, group-work, role play, various, games, you-tube, computer programs and other materials
hand and/or machine sew to make small items for yourself or your home.

Some other things that will help you learn in class are if you:

ask questions
take notes
keep a file of your work and your recipes
suggest things to cook and make
keep a file of interesting ideas for your craftwork or textiles

How can I learn more about Home Economics outside of school?

Some of the things you may do are:

cook dishes at home
if you are eating out, take note of menus, prices, etc.
use a library, magazines and the internet for information and ideas on food, household items and design
watch cookery and interior decoration programmes on television
look at fashion magazines for design ideas
when shopping for clothes, look at the care labels and the type of fabrics used.

You can get your family to help by organising your food for cookery class and tasting what you cook.

What is the Home Economics Junior Certificate exam like?

In Junior Certificate Home Economics you will be examined in three ways:

coursework - with help of your teacher, you will choose a project from one of the following areas:
- Child Development, Design and Craftwork or Textiles Skills
a practical cookery exam - you will have a one and a half hour practical cookery exam which involves preparing, cooking food and evaluating food
a written examination - you will also have a written exam, which you can take at Higher or Ordinary level. When the time comes to decide, your teacher will help you choose the level that suits you best.

How will Home Economics be useful to me during my life?

You will be able to use information you have studied in your everyday life; from looking after yourself, to shopping and caring for others. You will be more experienced at managing your resources and your time.

There are many jobs and careers that you can work in, e.g. chefs/cooks, catering, fashion and design, textiles industry, child care, sales and marketing, economics, consumer studies, teaching, lecturing, food industry, food science, laboratory work, tourism, and health and nutrition

Will Home Economics have anything to do with other subjects I will be studying?

Yes, it will. You will find links with Science, SPHE, Physical Education, Art, Craft, Design and Business Studies.

Will Home Economics be very different after the Junior Certificate?

In Leaving Certificate Home Economics you will study the core areas in greater detail: