In Staci Wood’s College and Career Readiness class (CCR), 8th graders are learning all about different career options, what it takes to be ready for their future, and all about options for college.
They use the MCIS (Minnesota Career Information System) to learn about different careers and take a self-survey to place them in three career clusters that best fit their results. Based on their results, they chose one career they were interested in or wanted to learn more about and did a deep dive into this career. After the career research, students created a roadmap to success that included different goals they would need to meet in high school and beyond to work their way up to the career they researched.
“Each student's roadmap also included 'detours' or roadblocks they had to overcome and roadside assistance,' like teachers, friends, family, or other people who can help them reach their goals and assist during difficult times,” said Wood.
Students recently started learning about different ways to pay for college and created their own 'brag sheets' to practice applying for scholarships.
“It can be super uncomfortable bragging about ourselves, so I turn this into a mini-SEL lesson about positive self-talk and positive peer-to-peer conversations, too,” said Wood.
During this activity, one student couldn't think of a strength and verbally acknowledged it. A classmate behind them quickly said, “You're awesome at being a social butterfly!”
We love seeing all of the ways that students are learning and growing as they prepare for high school and beyond!
Students in 8th grade also participated in the annual field trip to St. Paul to tour the State Capitol. They were able to learn about a wide variety of careers in government and see behind the scenes of how and where decisions are made. They were able to take a tour, participate in some activities, and even met MN Senator Glenn Gruenhagen and MN Rep. Bobbie Harder.
