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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK
Learning Goals
In Visit 6, students will:
- Understand that middle school and high school are the first steps to attending college
- Understand that college is an option in life
- Explore the relationship between education, goals and successful futures
Introduction
Begin the sixth session by defining post secondary education—community college, trade school/apprenticeship or four year college. Explain your own educational path. Many students have vague or wrong information about college. They may have dismissed college as an option. Touch upon how, in college, students choose what they study.
Exercise #1: Value Education
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to link something they enjoy doing with their education and possible careers.
Preparation: Create a timeline that relates to how you got from high school to your current occupation.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Lead a discussion about how a person’s talents and interests can lead to possible careers in the future.
- Select students to read each of the scenarios aloud then ask them to independently list ten things they are interested in learning more about. Ask students to share their answers.
- As a class, discuss what can be done to learn more about careers and interests. Brainstorm ideas about what students can do to learn more about careers and write the answers on the board. Then ask students to fill in the blanks in the paragraph.
Ideas for Exercise #2
- Share pictures of you in college or at graduation. Explain what it was like. Describe the most valuable experience you had in college, or what you learned most from the experience.
- Treat the exercise as a game. Group students in teams of two or three each. The team that finished first wins a prize.
Exercise #2: My College
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to identify institutions of higher learning in San Jose and the Greater Bay Area. They will also be able to explain why college or trade school is an attainable goal.
Preparation: None.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Lead a discussion about the various characteristics of two-year colleges, four-year colleges and trade schools. Also cover the basic requirements to attend them. Emphasize that funds like scholarships, grants and loans are available for anyone who wants to attend college or trade school as long as basic requirements are met and the required applications are filled out.
- Brainstorm ideas about why students cannot go to college. Then use the “College Facts and Myths” sheet found in the Tools section.
- Discuss the important classes for students to take in high school and the grades they will need to achieve to gain access to college.
Exercise #3: Pathways to Success
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to reflect on and evaluate their experience in The Role Model Program. They will be able to design a simple plan for their future.
Preparation: Complete the exercise using your own dreams for the future to share with the class.
Presentation Suggestions: Recap all the key areas you covered in the classroom. Consider the most important values you want to impart upon your students. Share with them the things you learned as a Role Model Volunteer and let them know how proud you are of what they have accomplished. Ask students to work independently on this exercise. While they are working, go around the room and give some personal words of encouragement to each of them.
Exercise #4: You Are the Star of your Future
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to reflect on and evaluate their experience in The Role Model Program. The goal of this exercise is to reinforce the importance of reflecting on their efforts and the things that they do well. Use this exercise only if time permits.
Preparation: None
Presentation Suggestions: Use this exercise in your final visit to the classroom. Help the students reflect on your visits. Ask them questions like: "What would you like to remember about The Role Model Program?", and "What would you like to learn more about?"
Discuss the importance of evaluating and looking back upon the things we do. Use examples from your own experience to show that by reflecting on something you did, you discovered a new passion or hobby. Emphasize that what they do by themselves can be more important than what they do with others.
Ideas for Exercise #4
Share with the students what you have learned during your visits. Ask them to share what they have learned.
Certificate Presentation
To recognize the students for completing the "Dare to Dream" curriculum, take some time and prepare a meaningful ceremony for the students. Consider asking the teacher to join you in presenting the certificates.
Call each student up to the front and congratulate him or her. Present them with their Role Model Program Completion Certificate.
Certificate presentation is often done on an additional visit day with treats and goodies for the kids.
Ideas for Certificate Presentation
- Teach the students how to receive a certificate properly. Demonstrate the “receive with your left hand, shake with your right hand” method.
- Prepare one personal memory you have of each student, or a note of encouragement. Relate this to the student when the certificate is presented, or write a note and give it to the student with their certificate.
- Have a little completion party with snacks, pizza, and refreshments.
- Invite parents and the school principal to the ceremony.
Visit Summary
Recap your experience with the students. Tell the students their workbooks are theirs to keep and are gifts from you and The Role Model Program. Thank the teacher for giving you the opportunity to work with the students and thank the students for their time and participation. Emphasize how well they did in the program and encourage them to pursue their dreams and their education.
