Cantella, T. Teacher Website

Welcome to Personal Development

This is one of six rotations that 8th graders will experience this year. This class has 3 main components: RealCare Baby experience, Children's Literacy, and Finance. 

The first 10 days will focus on the RealCare Baby Experience. Students will bring home a packet that needs signed by parents allowing them to bring home a RealCare baby OR do another independent project. Students will also learn about Shaken Baby Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. These are sensitive topics and will be discussed with discretion. Students will also have the opportunity to practice caring for the RealCare baby during class.

The second 10 days will focus on the process of writing a children's book. Students will work in groups to develop a theme, story line and illustrations that are age appropriate for the kindergarten reading/comprehension level. This activity stresses child development stages as well as cooperative work. 

During the final segment of the course, students will be introduced to investing basics, budgeting basics, wants vs. needs, saving money and check writing.