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Proven Practices
2009 Promising Practice Designee
"Making Careers Real....Fun"
The “Making Careers Real…Fun” project is a career exploration curriculum unit that flows with increasing difficulty and complexity from kindergarten through eighth grades. This practice is introduced and implemented by the counselor to the students in elementary and middle schools. Each grade has expected outcomes that are specific and age-appropriate for that particular level.
All lessons use a hands-on approach to encourage learning; activities are color-coded using the six career path colors to help students remember the career paths. The activities begin with the introduction of the six career paths to kindergarten students. First graders review career paths and join the counselor in a singing/acting activity. They then select a career character categorized into the appropriate career path. Second graders participate in group activities and explore “tools of the trade” from the career paths. Third graders continue the activities with a matching game and charting a career character. Fourth graders advance into some brainstorming activities. Career Bingo is introduced to the fifth grade students. In sixth grade, students are introduced to career clusters and participate in activities involving the missouriconnections.org website.
By seventh and eighth grades, students have developed skills that allow them to act out reality situations involving the different career paths and clusters. They form a “city” using the different career paths studied, and simulate jobs of the various “staff members”, utilizing skills in organization, budget and finance, time management, and customer service. All these activities culminate in a Career Day, including guest speakers employed in a wide variety of careers, thereby creating valuable community involvement.
For additional information on implementing this Proven Practice Award-winning program in your school, contact:
Toni Walton
Fordland R-III School District
252 N. Center Street
Fordland, MO 65652