This manual provides curriculum materials for implementing a career exploration class in home economics occupations within a Practical Arts Education program for middle/junior high school students. Introductory materials include the program master sequence, a list of home economics occupations, and an overview of the competency-based instructional system for practical arts. The instructor's guide to learning activities contains guide sheets for each task assignment sheet; these sheets present objectives, attitudes and values to be developed, checkout activities, recommended references and audiovisuals, notes and suggestions for instruction, and references and necessary tools and equipment. Master copies of learning activities are included. Appendixes include lists of practical arts videotapes and references appropriate for career exploration, ideas for addressing students with special needs, and visual aid masters. The 60 student task assignment sheets are also included. Each contains the following components: an introduction, objectives, learning activities, checkout activities, vocabulary, instruction sheets, and a copy of the instructor's final checklist. Tasks are provided for five families of home economics occupations: consumer and homemaking, child care, clothing and textiles, foods and nutrition, home and community services, and housing and home furnishings. (YLB)