For the entire second quarter, all Language Arts students will be focusing on expository/research writing with an emphasis on career exploration. We began this unit with the students taking a self-assessment in which they found which careers would best be suited for their personalities, interests, and skills.
Next the students were paid a visit by Mr. Schmid, the 8th grade counselor, where he allowed them to create an electronic portfolio of potential future careers and resources for extended education and training. Through the career website and Mr. Schmid's guidance, the students were able to furthermore get an insight to what lied ahead after high school graduation.
The remainder of the unit is working towards gathering research for a student-selected career, utilizing the writing process to create a formal outline and essay to educate others about that career, and a final presentation in which each student will participate in a "mock career day" and really become a worker in the chosen occupation. Presentations will begin next week. I look forward to hearing about what my students are interesting in doing when they reach the real world!
