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Lora Clouse » Senior Seminar

Senior Seminar

Senior Seminar

December 11-14, 2023

Lesson Plans

 

Day 1 – The First Semester Challenges 

  • La’Ken and Jordan: The First Semester 

    • https://youtu.be/z_DQMAW5bWE  

    • Video Debrief  

      • According to La’Ken and Jordan, how is high school different than college? 

      • What other ways do you think it is different? 

      • What advice do La’Ken and Jordan offer for being successful in your first semester? 

  • La’Ken and Jordan:  Challenges 

    • https://youtu.be/wJ2UBi0PfAg 

    • Video Debrief  

      • What tips do La’Ken and Jordan offer for your first semester? 

      • What concerns you the most about starting college? 

Day 2 – Choosing a Major  

  • La’Ken and Jordan:  Choosing a Major  

    • https://youtu.be/6z8E3JFEpt4?si=63UXqxuOg_QSKHug  

    • Video Debrief (Duplicate Microsoft Form here) 

      • What types of majors are you interested in? 

      • What surprised you about La’Ken and Jordan’s stories? 

      • Were you surprised at how many times that they changed their majors? 

        • Approximately 80% of students in the U.S. change their majors at least once, and on average college students change their majors at least three times while they are in college 

      • Do you think changing your major impacts the amount of time it will take you to complete a degree?  Why or why not? 

      • What is an academic advisor?   

      • Why is it important to consult with your academic advisor when you are making your schedule and/or changing your major? 

  • Syllabus Scavenger Hunt (Duplicate Microsoft Form here) - GRADE 

    • In the beginning of each semester of college, professors will distribute a syllabus. It will contain important information about the course, as well as important due dates. 

    • Using the sample syllabus, students will respond to the questions. 

Day 3 – College Communication 

  • Classroom Communication 

    • https://youtu.be/63xhusj45GM?si=PsqGqKLPWcsgGcK2  

    • Video Debrief  

      • What would you say is the biggest difference between communicating with your high school teachers and college professors? 

      • Do you see any differences in expectations for how your will communicate with your peers in college? 

      • What are office hours? 

      • What advice does she offer for managing group projects? 

  • Watch video Communicating with Professors and Advisors 

    • https://youtu.be/mMsPRVGe7RI?si=Hc2v0p8KzbhwWWQn  

    • Video Debrief  

      • How do most professors communicate with students?  

      • What are some ways to get one-on-one time with professors? 

      • How can you ensure that you can meet with your professor or advisor? 

      • What does an advisor do? 

  • Keeping Everyone in the Loop Scenarios - GRADE 

    • Students will be working in small groups on some college scenarios (Link to Keeping Everyone in the Loop PDF.pdf

    • ) (Duplicate Microsoft Form here) 

    • Groups will have to… 

      • Identify who to communicate with in each situation and why 

      • Write a few sentences to explain the situation, and start the conversation 

 

Senior Seminar

December 4-8, 2023

Lesson Plans

 

Tasks 

  • FSA ID Creation 

  • Recommendation Letter Request Form 

  • Local Scholarship Essay Outline 

  • Local Scholarship Essay 

 

Day 1 – FSA ID Creation 

Day 1 – Who Can Write a Recommendation Letter? 

  • Who Can Write a Recommendation Letter? - GRADE 

    • Click here to duplicate form 

    • Review with students appropriate persons to ask for a recommendation letter 

    • Here’s the information included in on the form:  

      • As scholarship forms become due, most likely, a recommendation letter will be requested. This form is to get you thinking about who you can ask to write recommendation letters for you. 

      • Whoever you ask to write a recommendation letter for you needs to know you fairly well. Anyone who has been your teacher, your coach, your youth group leader, your boss, etc., would be a good example of someone who would know you best. Don't ever ask family members to write a recommendation letter on your behalf, because most likely those letters will not be accepted.   

  • Recommendation Letter Request Form - GRADE 

    • Students will complete form electronically 

      • The importance of this is so they can email to any person that they request a letter from 

Day 2-5 – Local Scholarship Essay 

  • Local Scholarship Essay Outline - GRADE 

    • The essay doesn't need to be written on this, or even whole sentences for that matter. 

    • This graphic organizer is for you to jot down ideas for your essay. This will serve as "bare bones" for the essay to come 

  • Local Scholarship Essay - GRADE 

    • The essay needs to include paragraphs on the following along with an introductory and conclusion/closing paragraph.    

    • Essays may be typed unless otherwise noted.  Use spell/grammar check to avoid errors.  Each essay should be 1 ½ to 2 pages typed in 12 pt Arial or Times New Roman font, normal 1” margins (this should be the default on most computers) and double spaced. 

    • The TITLE of your essay will be the EXACT NAME of the scholarship you are applying for.  Example:   Rotary Interact Scholarship or Rotary College Bound Scholarship not just Rotary! 

    • The second line will be your name (unless the scholarship says not to include). 

    • Then skip one line and begin your essay. 

    • Your 3 body paragraphs much cover following: 

      • Your LA History: include your GPA and ACT, honors and dual credit classes taken, activities, honors, part-time jobs, etc. 

      • Your plans for the future:  be specific about where you plan to attend postsecondary school, your major, your career goals, etc 

      • How receiving this scholarship will help you and why you deserve it.  If you need scholarships to pay for college, include information about this. Include any financial hardship information. 

    • Once students turn in essay, teachers will need to proof and send back for revisions 

      • Students will then need to correct and resubmit 

 

Senior Seminar 

November 27-December 1, 2023

Lesson Plans

 

 

Senior Seminar

November 20-24, 2023

Lesson Plans 

Monday-

College Fit (cont.) 

 

Tuesday-

What is Financial Aid? 

  • NEXT Guide - What is Financial Aid? (click NEXT Guide What is Financial Aid.pdf

     to access) 

    • Review information with students  

  • La’Ken and Jordan:  Paying for College 

  • Discussion Questions 

      • What types of scholarships/financial aid do La’Ken and Jordan mention in the video?  What other types of financial assistance have you heard of? 

      • La’Ken and Jordan both mention the FAFSA-what is it?  What is it important to file the FAFSA?  How might you get assistance filing the FAFSA?   

      • What concerns you most paying for college? 

Wednesday-

THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

Thursday-

THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

Friday-

THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

Senior Seminar

November 13-17, 2023

Lesson Plans 

Skills for College + Career Success/Why College? Types of Colleges and Options/College Fit 

Tasks 

  • Personal Brand Worksheet  

  • Common Interview Questions 

  • What is Your College Personality Quiz 

 

Day 1 – Personal Branding  

  • Personal Branding  

    • Review the following information with students via attached PPT:  

      • The value of thinking about your brand is primarily to integrate the various elements that combine to create your identity – the picture you have of yourself, and the picture others have of you.  It’s a summary – and it’s important. 

      • People Naturally Form a Perception of You – Their Perception of Your Brand 

        • People form impressions of other people.  It’s impossible not to.  So, people form impressions of you.  Those impressions are your brand for those people.  Some people will know you well and some will not, but impressions will naturally form your brand. 

      • You Have a Brand.  Are You in Charge of it? 

        • If you do not build your brand, others will build it for you.  And in today’s world the web will build it for you through social media.  Today your brand can be heavily influenced by social media, but it’s not just about social media.  It’s more about your face-to-face interactions, your behaviors in general, your attitude, your appearance, who you hang out with, what you accomplish or don’t accomplish, etc. 

      • Four Keys to Developing Your Brand 

        • In general, there are four guidelines that can guide you in developing your personal brand.    

          • Pay attention and ask the right questions to open up the possibilities on the path to discovering and creating your brand. 

          • Commit to actions that will develop or demonstrate your brand. The key here is to be intentional in your actions – know what you want to do and then do it. 

          • Persevere and “hold the course” through all the challenges and confusions and uncertainty. This takes time and there will be ups and downs along the way, so the key is to keep going and keep learning and keep evolving. 

          • Talk with people you trust about #1-3 – this is really important. All your peers are faced with the challenge to develop an identity as a young man or young woman.  Those that are facing that challenge directly (not all will) can be good sounding boards for you (and you for them). 

    • My Personal Brand Worksheet - GRADE 

      • Have students to work through the questions to identify their personal brand 

Day 2 – Interview Practice  

  • Common Interview Questions – GRADE  

    • Students will be given a sheet of common interview questions  

    • Students will answer each question in complete sentences as if they were in a real interview  

    • May take students some time to work through these questions 

Day 3 – Introduction to La’Ken and Jordan/Types of Degrees/Certificates + College Fit  

Day 4 – College Fit  

  • College Fit Magnetic Statements 

    • Statements will be posted around the room 

    • Students will get up (when prompted) to stand by the statement that best reflects the most important factor to them when picking a college 

      • Each student group per factor will discuss why they chose that factor 

      • Groups then choose a spokesperson to share out big ideas and interesting comments made during the discussion  

  • What’s Your College Personality? - GRADE 

Day 5 – College Fit (cont.) 

  • Choosing the Best College Fit  

    • Video:  La’Ken and Jordan:  Choosing the Right College  

    • Discussion Questions 

      • What criteria were important to La’Ken and Jordan when choosing a college? 

      • What criteria are important to you? 

  • College Fit 

    • Video:  Finding the Right College Fit  

    • Discussion Questions  

      • Why does college fit matter? 

      • Why should someone apply for more than one college? 

      • How can you research colleges to find the school that’s right for you? 

 

Senior Seminar
November 6-10, 2023

Lesson Plans 

 

 Career + College Goals 

Tasks 

  • Cover Letter 

 

Days 1-2 – Resume Building  

  • Resume Example  

    • Review a sample student resume  

  • Resume Construction - GRADE 

    • Using Word, students will begin constructing their own resumes 

    • Create assignment on Teams for students to turn in  

      • See attached rubric for grading 

Day 3-4– Cover Letter Building  

      • Students will address letter to the admissions counselor of the postsecondary institution of their choice  

        • This may necessitate some research on their part  

        • Need both the specific name and address 

      • Using Word, students will begin constructing their own resumes 

      • Create assignment on Teams for students to turn in 

        • See attached rubric for grading

Day 5 NO SCHOOL (Veteran's Day)

 

October 30-November 3, 2023

Lesson Plans 

 

Day 1 – Resume Introduction 

  • Career Path Personality Match - GRADE 

    • Students will read many words that could be used to describe their personality 

      • You may have to help define some of these words to students  

    • After students are finished, they will synthesize their information to determine whether they’re an Organizer, Persuader, Thinker, Helper, Creator or Doer 

    • Students will then answer the questions at the bottom of the sheet comparing their dream career with their personality match results  

  • High School Resume Video from Go2College 

    • https://youtu.be/JOxVZVg6yls 

    • Students will watch a 15-minute video over high school resume writing  

    • After watching the video, students will complete Microsoft Form over video 

Days 2-3 – Resume Building  

  • Resume Building Worksheet - GRADE 

    • Walk students through each section, letting students complete each as you go 

    • Spend time with students to create a personal, professional email address (if they don’t have one) 

    • Tips to Review with Students 

      • Contact Information 

        • Make sure email is professional 

        • No birth date or social security number  

      • Education 

        • List all Honors courses 

        • List DE/TCAT courses under separate school headings (list most recent first) 

        • List GPA (if above 2.5) 

        • List relevant coursework that pertains to career path 

      • Activities/Extracurriculars 

        • List most recent first  

        • List years of involvement  

        • List any titles held in the organization or leadership duties  

      • Work Experience 

        • Start with most recent first 

        • If no work experience, list internships (if applicable) 

          • Can still list internships, especially if it’s in desired career field 

        • List 3-4 duties per employment 

  • Resume Example  

    • Review a sample student resume  

  • Resume Construction - GRADE 

    • Using Word, students will begin constructing their own resumes 

    • Create assignment on Teams for students to turn in  

      • See attached rubric for grading 

 

Senior Seminar

October 23-27th, 2023

Lesson Plans 

Week 2:

Students will be working on a soft skills packet the entire week.  This will take them some time to read through and answer.  

 

They will work on the Monday-Friday

Must be submitted the following Monday.  

 

Week 1: What’s Your Why? Getting to Know You + Your Goals 

TASKS  

  • Introduction 

  • Student Goals Form 

  • Credit Checks to Identify Deficiencies 

  • My Next Move  

 

Day 1 - Introduction 

  • Syllabus Review + Teacher Introduction 

  • M+M Game 

    • Questions 

      • Red: What are your plans after high school? 

      • Blue: What is your favorite thing about school? 

      • Yellow: What are you looking forward to for your senior year? 

      • Brown: What are you worried about for your senior year? 

      • Green: Where do you see yourself after senior year? 

      • Orange: Wild Card – Choose one of the questions 

      • You can transfer answers to Excel spreadsheet to keep on file for your students  

Days 2-5 – Graduating High School 

  • LA Graduation Requirements – GRADE (with Grad Requirements Checklist) 

    • Review with the class  

    • Fill out the front page of the worksheet “Do You Know What it Takes to Graduate?” 

  • Graduation Requirements Checklist - GRADE 

    • Using this and the student’s transcripts, students will review their courses/credits 

    • Look for… 

      • Any missing credits 

      • Courses still needed to graduate  

    • Please try to complete one-on-one with students  

    • Place completed checklist in student portfolio 

  • My Next Move- GRADE 

    • O-Net Link https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip  

    • Students will follow along with directions on worksheet to complete the O-Net Interest Inventory 

    • Using the results of the O-Net Inventory, students will research careers based upon their interests 

    • Students will work on this while you are reviewing transcripts individually 

 

 

Week 8: Local Scholarship Prep 

Tasks 

  • Recommendation Letter Request Form 

  • Local Scholarship Essay Outline 

  • Local Scholarship Essay 

 

Day 1 – Who Can Write a Recommendation Letter? 

  • Who Can Write a Recommendation Letter? - GRADE 

    • Click here to duplicate form 

    • Review with students appropriate persons to ask for a recommendation letter 

    • Here’s the information included in on the form:  

      • As scholarship forms become due, most likely, a recommendation letter will be requested. This form is to get you thinking about who you can ask to write recommendation letters for you. 

      • Whoever you ask to write a recommendation letter for you needs to know you fairly well. Anyone who has been your teacher, your coach, your youth group leader, your boss, etc., would be a good example of someone who would know you best. Don't ever ask family members to write a recommendation letter on your behalf, because most likely those letters will not be accepted.   

  • Recommendation Letter Request Form - GRADE 

    • Students will complete form electronically 

      • The importance of this is so they can email to any person that they request a letter from 

Day 2-5 – Local Scholarship Essay 

  • Local Scholarship Essay Outline - GRADE 

    • The essay doesn't need to be written on this, or even whole sentences for that matter. 

    • This graphic organizer is for you to jot down ideas for your essay. This will serve as "bare bones" for the essay to come 

  • Local Scholarship Essay - GRADE 

    • The essay needs to include paragraphs on the following along with an introductory and conclusion/closing paragraph.    

    • Essays may be typed unless otherwise noted.  Use spell/grammar check to avoid errors.  Each essay should be 1 ½ to 2 pages typed in 12 pt Arial or Times New Roman font, normal 1” margins (this should be the default on most computers) and double spaced. 

    • The TITLE of your essay will be the EXACT NAME of the scholarship you are applying for.  Example:   Rotary Interact Scholarship or Rotary College Bound Scholarship not just Rotary! 

    • The second line will be your name (unless the scholarship says not to include). 

    • Then skip one line and begin your essay. 

    • Your 3 body paragraphs much cover following: 

      • Your LA History: include your GPA and ACT, honors and dual credit classes taken, activities, honors, part-time jobs, etc. 

      • Your plans for the future:  be specific about where you plan to attend postsecondary school, your major, your career goals, etc 

      • How receiving this scholarship will help you and why you deserve it.  If you need scholarships to pay for college, include information about this. Include any financial hardship information. 

    • Once students turn in essay, teachers will need to proof and send back for revisions 

      • Students will then need to correct and resubmit 

 

 

Week 7: Financial Aid This week is homecoming and we didn't get a lot accomplished this week

September 11-15, 2023

Tasks 

  • Paying for College: Federal and State Aid  

  • Paying for College: Institutional and Private Aid and Financial Aid Packages 

  • Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters 

  • FSA ID Creation 

 

Day 1 – What is Financial Aid? 

  • NEXT Guide - What is Financial Aid? (click here to access) 

    • Review information with students  

  • La’Ken and Jordan:  Paying for College 

  • Discussion Questions 

      • What types of scholarships/financial aid do La’Ken and Jordan mention in the video?  What other types of financial assistance have you heard of? 

      • La’Ken and Jordan both mention the FAFSA-what is it?  What is it important to file the FAFSA?  How might you get assistance filing the FAFSA?   

      • What concerns you most paying for college? 

Day 2 – Federal Financial Aid 

  • NEXT Guide – Federal Student Aid (click here to access) 

    • Review information with students  

  • Paying for College: Federal and State Aid – GRADE 

    • Students will complete worksheet as they watch Federal and State Financial Aid videos with Jonathan  

  • Federal Financial Aid with Jonathan 

Day 3 – State Financial Aid  

Day 4 – Institution and Private Aid/Financial Aid Packages  

  • Paying for College: Institutional/Private Aid and Financial Aid Packages - GRADE 

    • Students will fill in questions as the videos are played 

  • Institutional and Private Aid with Jonathan 

  • Financial Aid Packages with Jonathan  

  • NEXT Guide – Financial Aid Award Offers 

    • Review sheet with students  

  • Decoding Financial Aid Letters - GRADE 

    • Using Financial Award Letter A, answer the questions on the Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters Worksheet (duplicate Microsoft Form here) 

Day 5 – FSA ID Creation 

 

 

Week 6: Financial Aid 

September 11-15, 2023

Tasks 

  • Paying for College: Federal and State Aid  

  • Paying for College: Institutional and Private Aid and Financial Aid Packages 

  • Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters 

  • FSA ID Creation 

 

Day 1 – What is Financial Aid? 

  • NEXT Guide - What is Financial Aid? (click here to access) 

    • Review information with students  

  • La’Ken and Jordan:  Paying for College 

  • Discussion Questions 

      • What types of scholarships/financial aid do La’Ken and Jordan mention in the video?  What other types of financial assistance have you heard of? 

      • La’Ken and Jordan both mention the FAFSA-what is it?  What is it important to file the FAFSA?  How might you get assistance filing the FAFSA?   

      • What concerns you most paying for college? 

Day 2 – Federal Financial Aid 

  • NEXT Guide – Federal Student Aid (click here to access) 

    • Review information with students  

  • Paying for College: Federal and State Aid – GRADE 

    • Students will complete worksheet as they watch Federal and State Financial Aid videos with Jonathan  

  • Federal Financial Aid with Jonathan 

Day 3 – State Financial Aid  

Day 4 – Institution and Private Aid/Financial Aid Packages  

  • Paying for College: Institutional/Private Aid and Financial Aid Packages - GRADE 

    • Students will fill in questions as the videos are played 

  • Institutional and Private Aid with Jonathan 

  • Financial Aid Packages with Jonathan  

  • NEXT Guide – Financial Aid Award Offers 

    • Review sheet with students  

  • Decoding Financial Aid Letters - GRADE 

    • Using Financial Award Letter A, answer the questions on the Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters Worksheet (duplicate Microsoft Form here) 

Day 5 – FSA ID Creation 

 

Week 5: Why College? Types of Colleges and Options 

September 4-8, 2023

Tasks 

  • What is Your College Personality Quiz 

  • Different Kinds of College Fit Worksheet 

 

Day 1 – Introduction to La’Ken and Jordan 

  • Warm Up 

    • Have students to go around the room, and list words that come to mind when they think about college. Explain.  

  • Meet La’Ken and Jordan Video  

    • https://youtu.be/pSR_HtyF17E 

    • Students will be “following” La’Ken and Jordan throughout the semester 

    • La’Ken and Jordan will take students on the journey of choosing the right college, financial aid, how to get started in college and how to go the distance in college 

Day 2 – Types of Degrees/Certificates + College Fit  

Day 3 – College Fit  

  • College Fit Magnetic Statements 

    • Statements will be posted around the room 

    • Students will get up (when prompted) to stand by the statement that best reflects the most important factor to them when picking a college 

      • Each student group per factor will discuss why they chose that factor 

      • Groups then choose a spokesperson to share out big ideas and interesting comments made during the discussion  

  • What’s Your College Personality? - GRADE 

Day 4 – College Fit (cont.) 

  • Choosing the Best College Fit  

    • Video:  La’Ken and Jordan:  Choosing the Right College  

    • Discussion Questions 

      • What criteria were important to La’Ken and Jordan when choosing a college? 

      • What criteria are important to you? 

  • College Fit 

    • Video:  Finding the Right College Fit  

    • Discussion Questions  

      • Why does college fit matter? 

      • Why should someone apply for more than one college? 

      • How can you research colleges to find the school that’s right for you? 

Day 5 – College Fit (cont.) 

 

Week 4: Skills for College + Career Success 

Tasks 

  • Interview  

 

Day 1- Interview Introduction 

  • View the “Fail vs. Nail” Video 1 

      • Emily’s entry 

      • Overall behavior 

      • Management of personal belongings  

      • Dress  

      • Time of arrival 

    • After watching both the “Fail” and “Nail” debrief with students the differences between the two 

  • View the “Fail vs. Nail” Video 2 

      • Overall behavior 

      • Management of personal belongings  

      • Dress  

      • Time of arrival 

    • After watching both the “Fail” and “Nail” debrief with students the differences between the two 

Day 2 – Young Professionals Guest Speaking – Interview Skills 

  • Emma Cannon and guests will be speaking to all Senior Seminar classes on this day 

Day 3 – College and Career Fair at TTU 

Day 4 – Personal Branding  

  • Personal Branding  

    • Review the following information with students via attached PPT:  

      • The value of thinking about your brand is primarily to integrate the various elements that combine to create your identity – the picture you have of yourself, and the picture others have of you.  It’s a summary – and it’s important. 

      • People Naturally Form a Perception of You – Their Perception of Your Brand 

        • People form impressions of other people.  It’s impossible not to.  So, people form impressions of you.  Those impressions are your brand for those people.  Some people will know you well and some will not, but impressions will naturally form your brand. 

      • You Have a Brand.  Are You in Charge of it? 

        • If you do not build your brand, others will build it for you.  And in today’s world the web will build it for you through social media.  Today your brand can be heavily influenced by social media, but it’s not just about social media.  It’s more about your face-to-face interactions, your behaviors in general, your attitude, your appearance, who you hang out with, what you accomplish or don’t accomplish, etc. 

      • Four Keys to Developing Your Brand 

        • In general, there are four guidelines that can guide you in developing your personal brand.    

          • Pay attention and ask the right questions to open up the possibilities on the path to discovering and creating your brand. 

          • Commit to actions that will develop or demonstrate your brand. The key here is to be intentional in your actions – know what you want to do and then do it. 

          • Persevere and “hold the course” through all the challenges and confusions and uncertainty. This takes time and there will be ups and downs along the way, so the key is to keep going and keep learning and keep evolving. 

          • Talk with people you trust about #1-3 – this is really important. All your peers are faced with the challenge to develop an identity as a young man or young woman.  Those that are facing that challenge directly (not all will) can be good sounding boards for you (and you for them). 

    • My Personal Brand Worksheet - GRADE 

      • Have students to work through the questions to identify their personal brand 

Day 5 – Interview Practice  

  • Common Interview Questions – GRADE  

    • Students will be given a sheet of common interview questions  

    • Students will answer each question in complete sentences as if they were in a real interview  

    • May take students some time to work through these questions