Goal Setting

The “Goals” activity sheet and “Educational Planning Sheet” focus student attention on their abilities and the careers which may match these abilities. Students review their past goals sheets, consider present achievements and determine a course of action in this Smart Choices lesson.

Primary Learning Outcomes

What are my aptitudes and interests? What careers suit my interests and abilities? How can I develop a program of study directed toward my career goals?

Additional Learning Outcomes

Assessed QCC Standards:

Grade: 9-12

Guidance

C. Career Planning

Topic: Understanding the continuous changes in male/female roles.
Standard: -Identify factors that have influenced the changing career patterns of women and men. -Identify evidence of gender stereotyping and bias in educational programs and occupational settings. -Demonstrate attitudes, behaviors, and skills that contribute to eliminating gender bias and stereotyping. -Identify courses appropriate to tentative occupational choices. -Describe the advantages and problems of nontraditional occupations.

Topic: Skills in career planning.
Standard: -Demonstrate career plans that reflect the importance of lifelong learning. -Demonstrate knowledge of postsecondary vocational and academic programs. -Demonstrate knowledge that changes may require retraining and upgrading of employees’ skills. -Describe school and community resources to explore educational and occupational choices. -Describe the costs and benefits of self-employment. -Demonstrate occupational skills developed through volunteer experiences, part-time employment, or cooperative educational programs. -Demonstrate skills necessary to compare education and job opportunities. -Develop an individual career plan, updating information from earlier plans, and including tentative decisions to be implemented after high school.

Procedures/Activities

Step: 1 Duration:

Discuss with students the influences that affect the decisions they make and have them complete the “My Goals” activity sheet.

Attachments for Step 1

Title: My Goals FileName: My Goals.doc
Description: Multiple choice list for students to determine their goals.

Step: 2 Duration:

Hand out new “Educational Planning Sheet” and former educational plan records.

Attachments for Step 2

Title: Educational Planning Sheet FileName: Educational Planning Sheet.doc
Description: This table provides students a form for record keeping regarding their courses helpful for career planning.

Step: 3 Duration:

Review records with the students. Consider the following questions: a. Does the plan meet graduation requirements? b. Does the plan incorporate student interests? c. Does the plan reflect information from achievement tests? d. Does the plan reflect information from aptitude tests? e. Does the plan lead to a current career interest?

Step: 4 Duration:

Have students review file with parent(s) or guardian(s).

Step: 5 Duration:

Have students make any adjustments needed.

Materials and Equipment

“My Goals” activity sheet, “Educational Planning Sheet” (on the following pages), and each student’s educational plan from the previous year. High school publications of course offerings and graduation requirements. Military, postsecondary institute, and college course materials (catalogs or software)

Standards (Local and/or National)

Total Duration

1 -2 hours

Technology Connection

Assessment

Students are assessed as to whether they have updated their “Educational Planning Sheet” based on current interests.

Extension

Extend this activity by guiding students to discover options (Tech Prep, Youth Apprenticeship, internships, cooperative education, on-the-job training) available. Repeat this activity in later grades.

Remediation

Students who have difficulty with organization can be encouraged to keep a “career” folder and place these and any other relevant documents in it.

Accommodation

For students with exceptional needs, what changes can be made in instruction and teaching delivery to enhance student participation and learning? Each area below is a direct link to general classroom accommodations.

Non-readers     Physical Impairments     Sensory Impairments     Attention/Behavior

Each disability below is a direct link to general classroom accommodations specific for that disability.

    Autism
    Deaf - Blind
    Deaf/Hard of Hearing
    Emotional and Behavioral Disorder
    Mild Intellectual Disability
    Orthopedic Impairment
    Other Health Impairment
        Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
        Tourette Syndrome
    Significant Development Delay
    Specific Learning Disability
    Speech - Language Impairment
    Traumatic Brain Injury
    Visual Impairment

Modification

For students with significant disabilities, what changes can be made in instruction and teaching delivery to allow students to participate in classroom instruction while working on IEP objectives and off grade level QCC standards. Below are suggested modifications correlated to the procedures of this lesson plan.