Barbara Brewer
Beaufort Middle School
Grades 6-8, Guidance
May 1, 2002

Subjects included in this Lesson Plan: All curricular areas

Brief Description: All students will participate in Career Day and rotate through stations according to their previously chosen preferences.  The eighth grade students will conduct research on a career in the media center or computer lab prior to Career Day.

Approximate time required: Two days

Standard Course of Study Goals and Objectives: 
Guidance:
Competency Goal 4.00 Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions

Objective 4.06 Demonstrate knowledge about the changing workplace.  

Teacher's Lesson Goals/Objectives: The behavioral objective is a student’s ability to research a career of their choice, understand the qualifications and educational requirements, and participate in Career Day.

The student will be able to participate in Career Day and communicate intellectually with local employers.

Materials/Resources Needed:  

• Computer lab or media center computers  
• List of local employers willing to present at Career Day  
• Internet sites:  
  • Career Development Education
    http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/workforce_development/career-dev/index.html
  • NCWise Owl 
    http://www.ncwiseowl.org
  • NC SOICC 
    http://www.soicc.state.nc.us/soicc/index.htm

Pre Activities:  

1. The guidance counselor will contact the job ready coordinator about hosting a Career Day. 
2. Approximately 12 local employers will be invited to attend.      The list will be compiled from the list of careers that the students prepared from their career research.  A list of topics to address such as educational requirements, qualifications, dress, benefits, technology, pros and cons, salary range, and the changing workplace will be prepared and discussed with the employers via telephone once employers have confirmed.  
3. Students have preconceived ideas of their future career; therefore, students will brainstorm careers of their choice.  
4. Next, students will have answered the following question:  “Pretend that you meet all of the job qualifications for any career/job, and yes, you may begin the job/career of your dreams tomorrow, what career would you choose?”  

Activities: Guided and Independent Practice:  

1. Students will research their career choices in the media center or computer lab using various Internet sites after answering question #4 above. 
2. Students will make a list 2 of the careers that they researched in activity number 1.  Remind the students that these should be careers that they would like to learn more about on Career Day.  Students must write their name and first period teacher on their list also.
3. After the employers have been invited and have confirmed that they can attend Career Day, the guidance counselor will prepare a Career Day form which lists the employers and careers that will be presenting on Career Day.  Students will choose 4 employers and careers that they would like to see on Career Day by prioritizing the list, with number 1 being their first choice, etc.
4. After the guidance counselor compiles the list of employers and prepares a rotational schedule from the prioritized list, each student will receive a copy.
5. There are 4 employers listed on each rotational schedule.  The students must write 2 questions that they would like to ask the employers.
6. Students will ask the employers their questions.

Closure: The teacher hosting the employer in their classroom will briefly review the qualifications and educational requirements for the job by asking the students to name 2 facts that they learned about the job that they did not know before the presentation.  The teachers, students, and counselor will thank the guests for attending Career Day.

Assessment: 

1. Students will be able to use print and non-print resources with limited or no assistance.
2. Students will be able to prepare 2 written questions that inquire about the employer’s job and local business and how it has changed over time.

A Note for Guidance Counselors: When assisting 8^th grade students with their four-year high school plan and career choices, the information learned about the qualifications and educational requirements from each career may be helpful.  Especially if a student is trying to match their qualifications and education to a specific career.

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