LESSON PLAN – What Is Work?

Theme – Investigating The World Of Work

CAREER SKILLS – Career Exploration

KEY SKILLS – Communication, Working With Others

WORK RELATED LEARNING – Learning For Work, Learning About Work

COMPETENCIES – *ai, *aiii, *bi, *cii, *di, **ei, **eiii, **eiv, **evi, ***fii, ***fiv, ***kiv, ***kvi, ****mi, ****pi

SUGGESTED SUBJECT AREA – Social Studies, Personal Development, English

Learning Outcomes

By completing this task students will be able to:

·  Examine the nature of work.

·  Discuss different views about work and what constitutes work.

·  Propose a definition of work.

Preparation and Materials

·  Copies of Activity Sheets “What Is Work?” (1) and (2) for each student.

Method

  1. Put the students into groups of 4 to 6.
  2. Give out copies of the Activity Sheet (1) and (2) to each student.
  3. Explain the aims of the exercise using the learning outcomes on Activity Sheet (1).
  4. Start the activity with a class brainstorm using the first two questions on the list from Activity Sheet (1).
  5. Follow with a discussion of the responses.
  6. Ask the students in their groups to brainstorm responses to each of the remaining questions posed on Activity Sheet (1), writing notes on Activity Sheet (2).
  7. Obtain feedback from each group on their responses to the questions.
  8. Start a general discussion covering:

a.  Is work any activity which requires effort?

b.  Is work any paid activity?

c.  Is work any activity which has to be done?

  1. Ask the students to write down their own definition of work on their copy of Activity Sheet (2).
  2. Ask the students to volunteer to read out their own definitions. Praise the students who volunteer.
  3. Ask the students what they have learned from the lesson.
  4. Summarise the main learning outcomes.

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

·  Examine the nature of work.

·  Discuss different views about work and what work involves.

·  Propose a definition of work.

ACTIVITY SHEET (1) – What Is Work

Work means different things to different people. What does work mean to you? To help you decide this, read the statements below and decide how you and your group will respond to them.

ACTIVITY SHEET (2) – What Is Work?

Note down your groups’ thoughts on the questions listed on Activity Sheet (1) in the space below:

Members of your group probably didn’t agree on what work was. Try to write your own definition below.