Chapter 10 Basic Skills

I. The Starting Point--Basic Skills A. Reading, Writing, and Math B. Foundation of more advanced skills C. These 3 are the key to success

II. Reading Skills A. Most jobs involve reading B. must be able to read for: 1. business letters 2. orders from customers so you can fill them 3. directions for operating equipment 4. instructions from supervisor 5. policies and procedures for your workplace C. Practice, practice, practice D. vocabulary--the group of words you use and know E. use dictionary

III. Writing Skills A. need them for: 1. telephone messages 2. memos to your coworkers 3. business letters to customers 4. orders from customers 5. reports of your job activities B. illiterate--can’t read or write 1. thousands in US 2. = job loss or can’t get a job C. Quality of writing 1. it shows what kind of person you are a. poor writing/lot of errors = lazy b. good writing = good worker

D. Proofread 1. Check over your written work for errors E. Practice, Practice, Practice 1. journals, logs, stories, etc F. Using the Computer 1. good way to practice writing 2. can edit easily 3. word processing programs (Microsoft Work and Appleworks) 4. spell and grammar checks

IV. Math Skills A. most jobs require math B. use math for: 1. bakers and chefs measure ingredients 2. nurses must give patients the correct doses of medicine 3. architects use precise measurements when drawing plans 4. salespeople add totals and subtract discounts 5. carpenters take frequent measurements

Careers that you need good math skills

C. Counting Change 1. Don’t rush 2. stay calm D. Measurements 1. fashion designers 2. chemists 3. engineers Metric System: Look at chart on page 136 Measurement conversions: Look at chart on page 137

VII. Work Keeps the Economy Strong A. Economy: a country’s way of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services *Refer to page 23

VIII. Work Requires Know-How A. SCANS: Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills B. Workers need Foundation Skills 1. Basic skills: reading, writing, math, speaking 2. Thinking skills: thinking creatively, solving problems, visualizing, knowing how to learn 3. Personal qualities: individual responsibility, self-esteem, management, integrity

A. competent: having the ability to respond appropriately 1. competence with resources 2. competence with interpersonal skills 3. competence with information 4. competence with systems 5. competence with technology IX. Workers Need SCANS Competencies