This competency-based curriculum guide contains activities designed to stimulate critical thinking and develop challenge-resolving skills while strengthening the fundamental precepts of home economics education. The home economics content area has been divided into duties and tasks. In each task, a challenge activity forms the basis for achieving competence through problem solving. Introductory materials include the following: a definition of critical thinking; conceptual framework; description of the challenge model; classroom strategies; list of Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) competencies; duty statement/task list; two evaluation instruments recommended for use with the curriculum; sample resource data sheet; and glossary. The curriculum consists of nine duties: enhancing personal identity; managing resources; maintaining employment; strengthening families and other relationships; parenting and meeting needs of children; maintaining individual and family health through nutrition; managing food selection and preparation to meet nutritional needs; clothing self and family; and sheltering self and family. Each duty contains 3-12 tasks. Each task follows this format: performance objective; performance steps; enabling objectives; activities; and criterion-referenced measures--evaluation. Appendixes to each duty include a section that identifies specific High School Proficiency Test skills used in the learning activities. A resource list and publishers' list are also provided. (YLB)