Developed by: Alysia DeWitt

Level: 3-5

Trading Cards

Standards

Learning Expectations		 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
5.0 Career Information and Career Goals
The student will:
5.2 Explore career clusters
5.4 Recognize that careers require a variety of skills,
      education, and interests

General Approach		 The general approach is for children to make their own trading cards, which will include the child's career preference as well as characteristics of the careers. 

Activity Steps		 Lead the children through a discussion:
There are many jobs in the community that we can do when we grow up.  We can be a librarian, doctor, nurse, lawyer, police officer, astronaut, or pilot.  These are only a few jobs and there are many more.  Let's think for a minute or two about what you would like to become...now that we have thought about what we would like to do when we get older, let's get into groups and learn more about the careers we have chosen. 
  1. Divide children into groups of two and allow them to explore the following website: www.whatdotheydo.com
  2. Give each child a sheet of construction paper and an index card.
  3. Under close supervision, have the children cut the index card in half and paste the cards, one side blank and the other lined, onto each side of their construction paper.
  4. On the blank side, have the children draw a picture of themselves in the career they have chosen.
  5. On the lined side, have the children list the career, several skills or abilities associated with the career, and an example of what they will be doing in their career.
  6. Allow the children to create as many trading cards as possible with different careers listed.
After the children have made several trading cards, bring them back into a circle to discuss the careers they have chosen.  Ask each child what careers they have chosen and allow them to tell the group about the skills and abilities involved in their careers.  If time remains, allow children to trade their cards with their classmates.

Time Required		 This activity will may require two 25-30 minute sessions.  The career searching and construction of the trading cards can take place during the first session and the discussion can take place in the second session.

Resources Needed		 In order to complete this activity, the following materials will be needed:
  • construction paper
  • index cards
  • scissors
  • glue
  • crayons, markers, or colored pencils
The children will also need to be able to access the following website:

Performance Indicators		 Students will be able to:

Explore website to obtain information regarding career clusters.
Describe different careers within their community.
Recognize the skills and characteristics of various careers.
Be able to create their own trading cards.