Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Postsecondary Preparation Collection

Sherry Franklin, Lindsay Hawkins | Published: December 5th, 2023 by K20 Center

Summary

This collection of resources serves as a valuable set of tools for educators aiming to support students in their pursuit of postsecondary educational and career paths. Designed for 11th- and 12th-grade students, these resources encompass a variety of materials. Teachers can use educational activities to guide students in selecting postsecondary options, understanding the associated benefits, crafting compelling college admission essays, identifying suitable institutions, and more. Additionally, an interactive student resource game, Game of Life, is included, offering a dynamic way for students to explore the outcomes of significant life decisions.

Resources

Students will explore the many options offered by colleges and universities across the United States. Students will also learn what documents and preparation are required for the college application process. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Campus Visits, Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 2nd Nine Weeks, 3rd Nine Weeks
More
Time Frame 120-180 session(s)

This lesson is to be used after students have reached the point in an application process that calls for a letter of recommendation. However, it can also be used to generate a generic recommendation letter that can later be revised for a specific purpose. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Campus Visits, Students
More
Time Frame 60-120 session(s)

Students engage in activities that explore the characteristics of good college admission/scholarship essays. Then, using the generated list, they create a personal outline for a college admissions essay. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Campus Visits, Students
More
Time Frame 60-120 session(s)

This educator resource helps teachers facilitate a classroom discussion about scholarship myths. Students will complete a K-W-L chart to state what they already know and want to know about scholarships. Afterward, students will research scholarships they qualify for using the Web Inquiry strategy. Students... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 1st Nine Weeks, 2nd Nine Weeks, 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • College-Going Culture

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans
More
Time Frame 60-90 minutes

Through small-group activities, research, and discussion, students will be exposed to a variety of careers, along with their average salaries, educational institutions, and postsecondary requirements. Students will learn about a variety of jobs in eight career clusters and the educational institutions'... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Campus Visits, Students, Teachers

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10), Small Group

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • College-Going Culture

Tag ICAP (Individual Career Academic Planning)

  • College & Career Interest, Post-Secondary and Workforce Goals

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • Choosing a Career, Benefits of Higher Education, Degrees, Professions, & Earnings, Private Economic Benefits, College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, College Visits, Finding a Good Fit, Required Courses, College Expenses, Books and Supplies, Room, Board, and Travel, Tuition and Fees, Paying for College, Eligibility, FAFSA, Grants, Scholarships and Loans, Oklahoma's Promise
More
Time Frame 60 minutes
The Benefits of Postsecondary Education (PSE)

Get a Life

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 12th

This lesson focuses on scaffolding the use of the Get a Life college and career simulation game in the classroom, specifically targeting career awareness in middle school students. Participants will play the game and experience classroom activities designed to process the gameplay and facilitate discussion... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Tag Related

  • Games, Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 12th

Course Course

  • Advisory
More 180 minutes
Time Frame 3-4 class period(s)
To Be or Not to Be? That's a Career Question!

College and Career Readiness

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

What does it mean to have a plan for a postsecondary college or career? This lesson encourages students to explore their career choices and develop a plan to achieve their career goals. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
To Be or Not to Be? That's a Career Question!

College and Career Readiness

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • English/Language Arts

Course Course

  • A.P. Language and Composition, A.P. Literature and Composition, American Literature, British Literature, World Literature

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 9.6.W.4
More 4-5 class periods
Time Frame

This campus visit lesson focuses on identifying and mitigating obstacles to postsecondary education. Student participants will have an opportunity to discuss why they should want to go to college and what could potentially prevent them from going. They will then explore some of the critical careers... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Campus Visits, Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30)

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • College-Going Culture

Tag ICAP (Individual Career Academic Planning)

  • College & Career Interest

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • Benefits of Higher Education, Degrees, Professions, & Earnings, College Expenses, Oklahoma's Promise

Tag Family Engagement

  • Supporting Student Success
More
Time Frame 30-45 minutes
Life Is a Highway

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Just like in the board game, "Game of Life," in real life, getting to where you want to be may require you make a few pit stops along the way. Making important life decisions like what career you want, what colleges, technical schools, or certification programs are necessary to help you achieve those... Read more »

Educator Resource

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Tag ICAP (Individual Career Academic Planning)

  • College & Career Interest

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • Choosing a Career, College Expenses
More
Time Frame

Standards

Oklahoma Academic Standards: English Language Arts (Grade 9)
9.6.W.4: Present research in longer formats (e.g., sustained research projects, process essays) and shorter, informal formats (e.g., single-day research projects, informal discussion) to a variety of audiences.

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