Professional School Counselor Guidance Lesson Plan Form

School Corporation: n/a – Learn More Indiana

School Name: n/a

Contact: info@learnmore.org

Indiana Student Standards for Guidance Addressed

Standard(s) addressed:

3-5.1.14 Explain the

importance of earning a

high school diploma.

3-5.1.16 Explain why it

is important to continue

one’s education after

high school.

3-5.1.17 Describe in

general terms the

options that exist for

continuing one’s

education after high

school.

Indicator(s) addressed:

3-5.1.17 Describe in

general terms the options

that exist for continuing

one’s education after high

school.

Instructional Development

Grade Level(s): 3-5

Title: Your College Options

Summary:

Students will be introduced to college degree options, and will learn that most jobs require postsecondary education. They will learn about options that exist in their local high school and in their community.

Time Frame: 35-45 minutes

Professional School Counselor Guidance Lesson Plan Form

Procedure:

Introduction 1. Hand out a LEARN MORE magazine to each student.

Ask them to look at the cover. Explain that Kenneth is a real student in elementary school in Indiana, just like they are.

2. Flip to pg. 8 and ask a student to read the “sticky note” text about Kenneth.

3. Ask, “Do you think that the elementary school students will change their minds before they are adults?” (Yes, it’s possible.) “Is that a bad thing?” (You will want to discuss the importance of following through on your goals, but stress that there are lots of options even once you are in college.)

4. Say, “Today we are going to learn about all your options after high school. You may know today what you want to be, and you may stick with that choice your whole life. That’s great. But more likely, you are still learning about what you’re good at and what you like and how that fits with a job that is needed in Indiana today.”

Learn about Degree Options

5. Have students turn to pg. 9. Explain that almost all jobs of the future will require one of these degrees.

6. Ask five students to write the name of the degree (apprenticeship, associate, etc.) on the board and read the paragraph about the degree.

7. After each student has read, give an example of a college granting that degree in your community. Use the vocabulary cards (at the end of this lesson) or what is written on the board to remind students about each type of degree. Examples:

Ivy Tech grants associate degrees.

Most students have heard of Indiana’s public colleges that grant four-year bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.

There may be an apprenticeship program in your area (perhaps for a trade like plumbing). Perhaps students can earn the lowest level of certification as part of your local high school’s CTE curriculum.

There is likely a business or school that grants workforce certificates such as a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) near you. Ivy Tech also grants these degrees.

8. Distribute the degree options cards (at the end of this lesson plan). Either give one to each student or ask them

Professional School Counselor Guidance Lesson Plan Form

to form teams of 3-4. If forming teams, you may want to make this a competitive game and keep track of points on the board.

9. Explain that you will read a career name and the students will hold up the card that corresponds to the type of degree the career requires. Read off the list of careers (see end of lesson plan), and explain the answers to students as you go.

Learn about Indiana Colleges

10. Say, “Now we are going to learn about some colleges in Indiana where you can get these degrees. Let’s turn to pg. 10.”

11. Ask four students to read each of the four sections. 12. Discuss. Some example questions:

Which picture do you like best? Why?

Which college do you think you’d like best? Why?

How can you get from where you are now to one of these colleges? Why is finishing high school important?

13. Explain that each step of education builds on the step before it. Students need to do a good job in school now so that they are prepared for the next level. You may want to explain some basic high school requirements for college entrance (GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership, growth in grades over time).

My Dream College Activity

14. Hold up the “My Dream College” activity. Ask students to think about what their “dream college” would consist of (real or made-up).

15. Hand out the activity and instruct students to fill it in with their dream career and college. (It doesn’t have to be a real one). Students should have a good general idea of which type of postsecondary degree they’ll need for their desired careers, although some may have questions.

16. Stress that students will receive some kind of diploma for any of the education options you have discussed.

17. Remind students that doing a good job now, next year, and in middle school and high school will prepare them to achieve their college and career goals.

Professional School Counselor Guidance Lesson Plan Form

Review Use the quiz on pg. 9 of the LEARN MORE magazine to test students’ basic understanding of degree types. You may also want to ask some or all of the following questions, either orally, as a written quiz or as part of a game:

1. What is a diploma? (a paper that shows that you have finished college)

2. What is an apprenticeship? (working and earning money while you learn how to do a job, usually one that involves working with your hands)

3. How long does it take to earn an associate degree? (2 years)

4. How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree? (4 years)

5. What degree takes the longest to earn? (a doctorate degree)

6. Why is it important to finish high school? (so that you can go to college and get the career that you want)

7. Why is it important to go to college? (because most jobs will require a college degree by the time students are in the workforce)

Evaluation

How will mastery of the guidance indicator(s) be evaluated?

Use the quiz on pg. 9 of the LEARN MORE magazine or the review questions above to test students’ knowledge.

Learning Resources

Resources needed: e.g., technology resources, media resources, books, web sites

LEARN MORE magazine, grades 3-5, 2016-17 edition (also available online at LearnMoreIndiana.org)

Information about postsecondary education options in your community

Career List (at end of this lesson plan)

Degree options cards, at the end of this lesson plan (for best results, print on cardstock)

“My Dream College” activity, pg. 11 of magazine

Vocabulary cards (optional), at the end of this lesson plan

Citation(s): You may include copyrighted materials in “resources needed,” but do not reproduce copyrighted materials in your lesson plan. Non-copyrighted materials need to be

Professional School Counselor Guidance Lesson Plan Form

reproduced and included with your lesson plan. Cite sources here.

Collaborative Partners: e.g., advisory teachers, other teachers, community resource people

Contact information (optional)

E-Mail: info@learnmore.org

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Career List for College-and-Career Matching Game (with answers)

Airline pilot – bachelor’s

Electrician – apprenticeship

IT helpdesk specialist – associate

Engineer – bachelor or master’s

Surgeon – doctorate

Ambulance driver -- certificate

Veterinary technician – associate

Teacher – bachelor’s

Manager with an MBA – master’s

Farm manager – bachelor’s

Hairstylist – apprenticeship

Welder – apprenticeship

Auto mechanic – associate

Dentist – doctorate

Truck driver – certificate

Pipe fitter – apprenticeship

Lawyer – master’s (or professional)

College professor – doctorate

Food scientist – bachelor’s or master’s

School counselor – master’s

EMT – certificate

Computer software developer – bachelor’s

Pharmacist – master’s

Robotic mechanic – associate

Accountant – bachelor’s

CNA (certified nursing assistant) – certificate

Registered nurse – bachelor’s

Pediatric doctor – doctorate

Market analyzer – bachelor’s

Vet – doctorate

Diabetes researcher – doctorate

Graphic designer – bachelor’s

Author – bachelor’s (although answer may vary)

Software developer – bachelor’s

Solar energy engineer – bachelor’s or master’s

Scientist at a seed company – answers will vary. May be a bachelor’s or doctorate depending on how complicated the research is.

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