Educational Planning

Activity 1: The Value of Work

Foundational Objectives:

Awareness of and understanding the relationship between work and learning.
Awareness of the value of work.

Learning Objectives:

The student will:

• examine reasons for the importance of work.
• identify personal goals that may be satisfied through a combination of work, community, social, and family role.
• explore the relationship between school, family, work and leisure activities.

C.E.L.s: COM, CCT, PSVS

Material:

• paper
• pencil or pen

Time: One class period.

Background Information:

People work to provide themselves and their families with the basic essentials of life such as food, clothing, and shelter. Working is also a means of associating with people who have similar interests and, therefore, it leads to a sense of belonging. Work provides individuals with opportunities to realize their potential through learning and gaining intellectually and socially. Another important reason why people work is happiness. Thomas Edison, a great inventor, was once encouraged by his wife to take a vacation. He responded by stating that "he couldn't think of another thing he would rather be doing than working in his laboratory". Most people who choose their occupations wisely, thoroughly enjoy their work. There are also numerous other reasons why people work.

Activity:

1. Have students brainstorm ideas as to what motivates people to work. Make a list on the board.

2. In pairs, have students prioritize reasons for working.

3. Have students brainstorm the relationship between school, work, family, leisure, and extra curricular activities.

4. Discuss with the large group.

Additional Activities:

Interview - Design an interview form and then interview former graduates of the school to discuss relationships between school and work.

Interview students who have chosen to "leave school early" without graduating.

Jeopardy Game ... with occupational clues.

Evaluation:

See Appendix C for a sample student self-assessment for preparing and conducting an interview.

Resources:

Adapted from Developmental guidance classroom activities, Vocational Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1991.

Activity 2: I'm A Success

Foundational Objectives:

Awareness and knowledge of educational benefits.
Awareness of change and knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to cope with life transitions.

Learning Objectives:

The student will:

• describe success and how it is achieved.
• understand the relationship between motivation and successful learning.

C.E.L.s: COM, CCT, IL, PSVS

Materials:

• paper
• pencil or pen

Time: One class period.

Background Information:

Success and happiness are defined very differently for many people. Researchers indicate that there is a high correlation between a positive self-concept and success or happiness on the job. Motivators that lead to job satisfaction are: achievement, recognition, advancement, responsibility, security, appropriate wage, working conditions and social relationships.

Activity:

1. Have the class brainstorm to develop a definition for the word motivation.

2. Develop a list of ways people are motivated (i.e., praise, rewards, intrinsic fulfilment).

3. Have students list at least three successes they have achieved.

4. Have students write down what they had to do in order to accomplish those successes.

5. Have students describe their accomplishments in small groups.

6. With the entire class, have students discuss the relationship between motivation and success.

7. Students may role play various people who are motivated or who lack motivation.

Additional Activities:

Positive Thinking - Have students project three successes they plan on accomplishing in the future and identify what they must do in order to accomplish them.

Bulletin Board - Have students create cartoons depicting motivation and design a bulletin board.

Adapted from One step at a time, Educational and Career Explorations, Intermediate Division, Ministry of Education, Ontario, 1984.

Activity 3: Relationships and the Job

Foundational Objective: Awareness and understanding of the relationship between work and learning.

Learning Objectives:

The student will:

• define ways in which social and personal relationships affect employment.
• demonstrate an understanding of the importance of personal skills and attitudes to job successes.

C.E.L.s: COM, CCT, IL, PSVS

Materials:

• paper
• Handout No. 1 "Interview Form"
• pen or pencil

Time: One - two class periods.

Activity:

1. Have students, in small groups, design an interview form about attitudes toward good work and how social and personal relationships influence one's attitude toward good work.

2. Have students interview someone they know who is working (parent, relative or friend) about attitudes toward good work and how social and personal relationships influence one's attitude toward good work. Go over questions with the class before they conduct interviews.

3. Discuss the results with the class.

4. Ask students to discuss working in isolation as compared to working on an assembly line, in a group or on a crew. Have them discuss which they would choose and why.

5. Have students discuss the social and personal relationships that affect employment.
   (a)What kinds of social and personal relationships affect employment?
   (b)Are the kinds of relationships and the effects of those relationships the same for both male and female workers?

Additional Activities:

Research: Write an essay on women's issues in the work force.

Evaluation:

Adapted from Developmental guidance classroom activities, Vocational Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1991.

For printing and copying this template Requires Acrobat Reader (click on the table title)

Grade 7 Module 3: Educational Planning
Handout No. 1 "Interview Form"

Activity 4: Why Are Educational and Career Planning Important?

Foundational Objective: Awareness of and understanding the relationship between work and learning.

Learning Objectives:

The student will:

• understand the importance of educational and career planning.
• define various terms related to educational and career planning.

C.E.L.s: COM, CCT, IL, PSVS

Materials:

• chalk
• paper
• chalkboard
• pen or pencil

Time: Two - three class periods.

Activity:

1. Brainstorm with students the value of educational and career planning.

2. Discuss with students the meaning of the words listed below. See Appendix A for glossary of terms.

   Students should understand the meaning of the following words:

   abilities aptitudes life career interests

   job occupation skills values

   Discuss the following words with the students:

   apprenticeship certificate college credit degree diploma graduate

   prerequisite profession technician technologist trade university postsecondary

3. Have students design, in small groups, a crossword puzzle using the above words.

4. After the crossword puzzles are completed, have students share them with one other group as a practice method.

5. Follow up activity - In a small group or on an individual basis give a definition quiz or have students complete a cloze exercise.

Additional Activities:

Debate or panel discussion can be used as a method to help students understand the value of educational and career planning.

Spelling Bee - To help students with the spelling and meaning of these words.

Evaluation:

Resources:

Adapted from One step at a time, Educational and Career Explorations, Intermediate Division, Ministry of Education, Ontario, 1984.