Developed by: Karey L. Mize
Revised: Spring 2002

Level: 6-8

"What I want to do in high school...."

Standards

Learning
Expectations

 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
2. Improve learning and achieve challenging goals
The student will:
2.3 Develop an annual plan of study based on academic goals
2.4 Apply interest, achievement, aptitude, and abilities to academic options

General Approach		 The general approach is that students will look through high school curriculum and extra-curricular guides and think about the courses they would like to take as well as the activities they would like to participate in during high school.

Activity Steps
  • Divide the students into groups of 3-5 students.  Give each student a curriculum and extra-curricular guide. 
  • Instruct the students to look through the guides and discuss the things they find that interest them.
  • Following the small group discussions, bring everyone back to one group.  Answer any questions the students have about the guides.  Discuss the courses and activities the students found of interest.  Discuss possible reasons for their interest in the courses and activities.  Specifically discuss interests, abilities, and career/educational goals as possible reasons.  Discuss any possible parental influences the students may see in their interests. 

Time Required		 This activity will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.

Resources Needed		 High school curriculum and extra-curricular activity guides.  If this activity is taking place prior to high school registration for 8th graders, the next year's curriculum and extra-curricular guides may be used.  However, if this activity is being used with other grade levels or at a time other than prior to registration, curriculum and extra-curricular guides for previous years may be used.

Performance 
Indicators		 After the activity, the students will write down 5 classes they are interested in taking and 3 extra-curricular activities they are interested in participating in during high school.  They will also write down possible reasons for their choices.