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Lesson 1

We will learn about the unit’s Central Question: How can I prepare for life after high school? We will analyze the Culminating Task, identifying specific knowledge (postsecondary readiness) we are expected to gain throughout the unit, plus specific skills we will need to succeed on the Culminating Task. We will also learn about the unit, review the Unit Text List to better prepare for the unit, and complete a closeout survey.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I identify task expectations and develop a plan appropriate for accomplishing the established outcomes?

  • Can I take necessary action to prepare for the task?

  • Can I change my ideas or perspective based on new, credible information and experiences?

  • Can I read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension?

  • Can I evaluate the relevance and credibility of information, ideas, evidence, and reasoning presented in texts?

Texts

Core

  • Digital Access
    • “Interest Assessment,” CareerOneStop, CareerOneStop, 2019

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read

We will learn about this unit and how it relates to the rest of the year.

The Foundation Unit prepares you for the rest of the year. Review the Course Overview to understand what you will do and learn this year.

Activity 2: Read

We will review the Unit Text List to familiarize ourselves with the texts we will analyze and discuss throughout the unit.

Step 1

Access and review the Unit Text List. Note the information that is included about each text. These texts are also listed in the activities in which they appear, under the Materials tab. You will notice that each text has an icon by it. These indicate where the text is located, which corresponds to the Location column in the Unit Text List.

Text locations are below:

  • Tradebook: These texts are full-length novels or nonfiction books you will most likely have copies of.

  • Digital Access: You can find these texts online. Use the information provided in the Unit Text List or on the Materials tab for the activity to conduct a web search for the resource. Digital Access resources include online articles, videos, podcasts, and other web sources.

  • Unit Reader: These texts can be found in the Unit Reader.

  • CD/DVD: These materials are available on CD or DVD and might also be available through online content providers.

Step 2

Review the Independent Reading Text Options. Here, you will find suggested options for independent reading related to the unit.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss – Write

We will read and analyze the Culminating Task. We will identify specific knowledge we are expected to gain throughout the unit, plus specific skills we will need to succeed on the Culminating Task.

Step 1

In a small group, read and discuss Part 1 of the Culminating Task Checklist andthe Portfolio Requirements handout. Determine what skills and knowledge you need to succeed on the Culminating Task. Respond to the following questions:

  1. What do I need to know to succeed on Part 1 of the Culminating Task?

  2. What do I need to do to succeed on Part 1 of the Culminating Task?

Discuss the questions as a whole group. Use the Culminating Task Progress Tracker to determine what you need to know and do to succeed on Part 1 of the Culminating Task. For each knowledge and skill identified, assess how prepared you are.

Step 2

Read and discuss Part 2 of the Culminating Task Checklist. Determine what skills and knowledge you need to succeed on the Culminating Task. Respond to the following questions with your group:

  1. What do I need to know to succeed on Part 2 of the Culminating Task?

  2. What do I need to do to succeed on Part 2 of the Culminating Task?

Use the Culminating Task Progress Tracker to determine what you need to know and do to succeed on Part 2 of the Culminating Task. For each knowledge and skill identified, assess how prepared you are.

Activity 4: Discuss

We will have a discussion about postsecondary preparation.

Step 1

Read the Central Question to yourself and think about what the question means to you: How can I prepare for life after high school?

Close your eyes and create some mental images in your head of where you see yourself later in life. Think about where you see yourself in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. What does your life look like during those spans of time? What images or pictures are coming into your head? What might bring you happiness and joy later in life? Is it a certain career? A family? Traveling? Living somewhere special? Helping others?

Step 2

Participate in a whole-group discussion and share your initial thoughts on the Central Question and the mental image exercise.

Activity 5: Read – Write

We will take an interest assessment to help us determine which pathway best fits our individual needs, interests, and overall life goals: four-year college, community college, vocational or technical, or military.

Take the online interest assessment at CareerOneStop.

  1. Select “Assessment” from the main page, in the section titled Explore Careers.

  2. Select “Interest Assessment.”

  3. Take the interest assessment.

Research two of the occupations by clicking on the career option. Respond to the following questions in your Learning Log:

  1. What is the outlook for this career?

  2. What are the typical wages for this career?

  3. What are the educational requirements for this career?

  4. What do people in this career do?

  5. What kinds of activities do people in this career do in a day?

  6. What knowledge do people in this career have?

  7. What skills do people in this career have?

  8. What abilities do people in this career have?

Activity 6: Write

We will complete the Lesson 1 Closeout Survey individually.

Complete the Lesson 1 Closeout Survey. This survey is meant to get a sense of how you are understanding this new unit while also inquiring about what you are looking forward to in the unit. It will provide your teacher with important information about your initial ideas about life goals and possible postsecondary pathways that will help you achieve those goals.

We will begin the next lesson by reviewing our responses as a whole class.