ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK

Learning Goals

In Visit 5, students will:

Describe the difference between short and long-term goals
Understand that middle school and high school are the first steps to attending college
Understand the difference between a job and a career
Explore the relationship between education, goals and successful futures

Introduction and Icebreaker

Begin the fifth unit with a discussion about all the jobs you have had in your life. Lead off with determining the difference between a job and a career using your own experience as a starting point. Talk about how you got from your first job to your current job.

Ideas for your Introduction

Go over the themes of Units 1-4 and tell them that the tools they have learned during your visits will help them reach their dream jobs.
Explain how interests, hobbies and dreams can develop into careers. Ask the students for ideas and questions.
Ask the teacher to explain why they chose teaching as a career and what they did to become a teacher.

Ideas for your Icebreaker

You most likely will not need an icebreaker to warm the students up. They will be looking forward to your arrival. Here are a few ideas just in case!

Bring in guest speakers to talk about how they achieved their career goals.
Using the careers listed on the back cover of the workbook, have the students select two and discuss them. Ask the students to identify where they might find Role Models to help them learn more about the career, what skills or talents one might need to be good at the chosen career, and the short-term and long-term goals one might set to eventually attain the career.
Ask the students to stand up and introduce themselves; "As an adult, I want to be a/an __________."

Exercise #1: My Career

Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to select a job from a career identified in the “Imagine” Exercise. Students will be able to describe why this job interests them. You will have no shortage of questions to answer in this exercise. The students are very curious when it comes to how much education and skill is necessary to attain the job. Take advantage of their interest and emphasize the education component. Highlight that anyone can access higher education.

Preparation: Reflect on your life when you were young. What careers interested you? Is there a correlation between what you wanted to be then and what you have become? Be prepared to share this insight with your class.

Presentation Suggestions:

Discuss the difference between a job and a career. Brainstorm ideas about the difference between the two.
Students may fail to understand that work can be an extension of what they love to do and be fun as well.
Provide examples and emphasize that interests, skills, talents, dreams and education can develop into careers.
The students will have many questions. Make the most of it, as the exercise is a culmination to all the visits and activities.

Exercise #2: A Restaurant All My Own

Exercise Objectives: Students will understand the concept of entrepreneurship and will create a vision for their own restaurant.

Preparation: Create a list of small businesses in the neighborhood near your school. Presentation Suggestions: Lead a discussion about small businesses in the community. Perhaps students know some of the local business owners or have family members that own a business. Ask students if they could own their own business, what it would be.

Give the students a few minutes to answer the questions then brainstorm ideas for some of the more challenging questions like: "If business were to become slow, what are some ideas you could use to improve business?"

Visit Summary

Recap the fifth unit by asking the students a few questions that reflect their understanding of careers. For example: "What is the difference between a job and a career?", and "What kind of jobs match your personality?" Clearly explain your expectations for any assigned homework. End the visit by thanking students for their time and letting them know when you will see them again.

Don't forget to ask your teacher for a class list so you can create your completion certificates before unit 6.