LESSON PLAN – Who Can Help?

Theme – Using Help And Support

CAREER SKILLS – Career Management

KEY SKILLS – Communication, Problem Solving, Working With Others, Improving Own Learning & Performance

WORK RELATED LEARNING – Learning For Work

COMPETENCIES – *ai, *aii, *bi, *ci, *cii, *di, **ei, **eii, **eiii, **eiv, **evi, ***fiv, ***kiv, ***kvi, ****li, ****mi

SUGGESTED SUBJECT AREA – Personal Development, English,

Learning Outcomes

By completing this task students will be able to:

  • Clarify details of the people available to help them and type of help they can give.
  • Know about places where specialist help can be found and types of help available.

Preparation and Material

  • Copies of Info Sheet and Activity Sheet “Who Can Help?” (1) for each student.
  • Copies of Activity Sheet “Who Can Help?” (2) if a guidance councilor is attending the session to lead the Extension Activity.
  • Flipchart or similar paper.
  • Blackboard/flipchart.

Method

  1. Put the students into groups of 4 to 6.
  2. Explain the aim of the lesson using the learning outcomes on Activity Sheet (1).
  3. In small groups ask the students to brainstorm “Who can help me make my career decisions?”
  4. Take feedback from the small groups and list the suggestions on the blackboard/flipchart. Students then add any new suggestions to their group lists.
  5. In groups ask the students to discuss and then list in rank order the most helpful to the least helpful sources of help.
  6. Give out Activity Sheet (1) and ask students to complete it individually and then share their responses in their small groups.
  7. Give out and talk through the Info Sheet. Stress that often there is more than one person with expertise. You may need to remind students about names of individuals and locations of places.
  8. Ask the students what they have learned from the lesson.
  9. Summarise the main learning outcomes.

Extension Activity

  • An introduction to the careers service could be provided by a guidance counselor using Activity Sheet (2).

Learning Outcomes: By completing this task you will be able to:

  • Clarify details of people available to help you and the type of help they can give.
  • Know about places where specialist help can be found and types of help available.

ACTIVITY SHEET (1) – Who Can Help?

Identify a person who you think is the most appropriate for each of the following statements.

  1. Has a lot of knowledge about my personal qualities
  2. Knows a lot about how well I’m doing at school
  3. Knows about any health problems which could affect my career choice
  4. Has up to date knowledge about the options available to me now and at 16
  5. Has a lot of experience in working life
  6. Knows a lot about post secondary education and courses available to me
  7. Might be aware of present job opportunities
  8. May only have knowledge of their own particular job/career

ACTIVITY SHEET (2) – Who Can Help?

INFO SHEET – Who Can Help?

GRADE 9 OPTIONS CHOICES – How To Prepare For Your Decisions

During grade 9 you will have to select which courses you will take in grade 10 and following that in grade 10 you will have to select which courses you want to take in grade 11. There may be vocational courses as well as general subjects on offer. The QEP sets out several compulsory subjects for all students but there are still some choices to be made and it is important you make the right ones. this can be an anxious time, the more you put into the process of research and selection, the easier it will be to make choices for the right reasons.

WHO CAN HELP?

  • The Guidance Counselors/Careers Coordinator. They have all the latest careers information.
  • Your subject teachers, ask them about your potential in their subject. They will give you realistic information about how well you might do.
  • Your form tutor – this person knows you very well by now, and may see things in you that you hadn’t thought of. This person can also advise you about subject combinations available on the timetable.
  • Your family and friends – they know you best and will give you their honest opinion of whether certain choices and careers would suit you.
  • Other people – you might be involved in clubs, sports part time work etc. the people you meet through these activities may be willing to share their experience and knowledge of the world of work to help you.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE?

  • Use the careers library and research into where each option could lead.
  • Use the computer software to help generate ideas.
  • If there is none of the above go to the Internet and find different web sites.
  • Discuss the Options available with the people mentioned above.
  • Read all information given to you carefully, especially school booklets.
  • Make use of the Guidance Counselors and drop in sessions.
  • Encourage your parents to go to any careers meetings/workshops and parents evenings.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

  • Think of yourself - its your future make it what you want it to be.