Introduction

Within Core Curriculum, the Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) is a major area of study that incorporates five traditional areas of Home Economics Education, Business Education, Work Experience Education/Career Education, Computer Education, and Industrial Arts Education. Saskatchewan Education, its educational partners, and other stakeholders have collaborated to complete the PAA curriculum renewal. Some PAA curriculum guides have been updated by integrating, adapting, or deleting some components; some Locally Developed Courses have been elevated to provincial status; and some new guides have been developed. A companion, Practical and Applied Arts Handbook, provides background on Core Curriculum philosophy, perspectives, and initiatives. The Handbook provides a renewed set of goals for PAA. It presents additional information about the PAA area of study, including guidelines about work study and related transition-to-work dimensions. A Practical and Applied Arts Information Bulletin provides direction for administrators and others. Lists of recommended resources from all guides will be compiled into a PAA Bibliography with periodic updates.

Philosophy and Rationale

The development of upholstered furniture has significantly affected the lives of everyone. The history of upholstery stretches from its beginnings in the Renaissance period, to its modern applications in the areas of furniture, automotive, marine, air transport and recreational vehicles. Many people engage in rudimentary furniture repairs for personal use or receive on-the-job training. The Upholstery 10, 20, 30 courses will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practice to participate in the upholstery industry. These courses may provide the student with the opportunity to experience entry level employment in the private sector.

The Upholstery 10, 20 and 30 Curriculum Guide is designed to enable students to acquire an appreciation of the evolution of upholstery. A major aspect of the course is the development of a critical awareness of quality workmanship and how this is achieved in the work place. Opportunities are explored for creative applications of design through the use of materials, padding, and finishing. A strong foundation is built by a firm emphasis on the manipulation and application of hand tools, equipment, and supplies in a variety of repair and recovering situations. This course will provide relevant, practical applications for students to develop upholstery and business skills, as well as gain practical employment skills.

Aim, Goals, and Foundational Objectives

Aim

Upholstery 10, 20, 30 is designed to provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and develop skills in the furniture, automotive, marine, and recreation upholstery areas.

Goals

Consumer Knowledge: To make informed consumer decisions based on furniture types, components and weaves of materials, structural considerations, foundational and padding applications, and quality workmanship.

Career and Development Skills: To explore career opportunities in the field of upholstery.

Communications: To develop interpersonal and customer relations skills appropriate for the business environment.

Employment Skills: To develop entry level skills that may lead to successful employment.

Personal Skills: To cultivate practical upholstery skills for personal use.

Foundational Objectives

Foundational objectives are the major, general statements that guide what each student is expected to achieve for the modules of the PAA curriculum guidelines. Foundational objectives indicate the most important knowledge, skills, attitudes/values, and abilities for a student to learn in a subject. Some of these statements may be repeated or enhanced in different modules for emphasis. The Foundational Objectives of the Core Modules in the Upholstery 10, 20, 30 Curriculum Guide include:

• To identify, select and safely use upholstery tools and equipment.
• To develop a general knowledge of basic upholstery concepts and technologies.
• To develop skills in the use of equipment and materials common to the upholstery industry.
• To develop workplace skills, knowledge, and attitudes that may lead to successful employment.
• To provide students with experiences in the upholstery industry that will enable them to make informed career decisions.
• To demonstrate safe working practices for the upholstery industry.
• To demonstrate proper use of hand and power tools, equipment and supplies utilized in the upholstery industry.
• To demonstrate an appreciation of varied styles of furniture and how these designs are used in society.
• To demonstrate an understanding of business and entrepreneurial practices.
• To develop independent decision-making skills pertaining to the upholstery industry.
• To integrate classroom learning with work-based learning.

Common Essential Learnings (CELs)

The incorporation of the Common Essential Learnings (CELs) into the instruction and assessment of the PAA curriculum offers many opportunities to develop students knowledge, skills, and abilities. The purpose of the CELs is to assist students with learning concepts, skills, and attitudes necessary to make transitions to career, work, and adult life.

The CELs establish a link between the transition-to-work dimensions and PAA curriculum content. The transition-to-work dimensions included in the PAA curricula are: apprenticeship, career exploration/development, community project(s), employability skills, entrepreneurial skills, occupational skills, personal accountability, processing of information, teamwork, and work study/experience. Throughout the PAA curricula, the CELs objectives are stated explicitly at the beginning of each module and are coded in this document, as follows: