Developed by:  Kristi Cantrell

Level:  9 - 12

Acknowledging Achievement

Standards Learning  Expectations	This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards: 1. Skills for Academic Self-Confidence, Learning and Success 2. Improve Learning and Achieve Challenging Goals The student will: 1.2  value pride in work and achievement. 2.4  identify post secondary options consistent with interests, achievement, aptitude, and abilities.
General Approach	The students will learn to recognize their abilities and aptitudes, acknowledge their achievements, and apply their interests to their future goals.  This activity is ideal for small groups (6-14 students).
Activity Steps	Step 1. Counselor will engage the students in the "Personal Pride" game by providing a party size bag of M&M's and then stating, "When it is your turn, pour one M&M into your hand and then, depending on the color of your M&M, tell the other students about yourself.  If you receive a green M&M you should tell us about one of your physical attributes, red = personal goals, brown = personal interests, blue = why you have friends, and yellow = your accomplishments.  Each category is assigned a different point value.  You will earn points as the game progresses; however, you can only earn points for up to three items in each category.  For example, if you get a yellow M&M more than three times you will have to pass on the accomplishments category.  The points are assigned as follows: Physical Attributes = 5 points each Personal Goals = 10 points each Personal Interests = 10 points each Why You Have Friends = 15 points Your Accomplishments = 20 points The first player to 100 wins the game."  The players cannot earn points unless they provide an appropriate answer for their category.  The players will maintain their own score sheets (see Personal Pride Score Sheet.html ).  The counselor will allow time for the students to process their responses before moving on to step 2. Step 2.  Counselor will ask the students to go to the computers, pull up Katy's Story ( http://www.act.org/news/student/katy/career.html) via the internet,  and then read the story to themselves.  After each student has read the story, the counselor will instruct them to go to the Career Interest Game ( http://career.missouri.edu/holland/) and follow the instructions. Step 3. After completing the game, the students will be asked to printout their  areas of interest from the Career Interest Game and the counselor will lead a discussion to assist the students in applying their new knowledge to their own goals, interests, achievements, and abilities.
Time Required	Step 1 - 20 minutes Step 2 -   5 minutes Step 3 - 30 minutes
Resources Needed	One party size bag of M&M's Computers and Printers (with internet access) Score Sheets Pencils
Performance Indicators	The students will show more confidence when speaking of their accomplishments and will be able to recognize their areas of interest and accompanying aptitudes, which can apply to their future goals.