THE PREPARED CURRICULUM:

Transcription

1 THE PREPARED CURRICULUM: FOR POST-SECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS Eighth Grade Curriculum Course Overview Eighth grade is never too early to begin preparing for college and careers. This program will give students some important advice and resources to help them start the process of being truly college and career-ready. It s important to understand that you don't need to be a high school student to start thinking about college, financial aid or careers. Colleges and universities will not be interested in looking at middle school grades, attendance, extracurricular activities or school discipline when considering college applications. However, the 8th-grade year of middle school is an excellent time to think about the type of high school classes, community service, extracurricular activities and programs you want to take to start preparing for college and careers early. How do you begin the process of preparing for college and careers when you are in 8th-grade? First, it will be crucial for you take your education seriously. That means paying attention to your classes, having little to no discipline and attendance issues, doing your homework carefully and applying yourself. The courses that you take before high school are the foundations for the math, English, history and science courses that you will again take in high school. Your record in these core subjects is what college admissions reps will be scrutinizing someday.

2 September Ø Program walkthrough Ø Welcome to the final year of middle school Ø Career assessment Ø 8 th grade: what to expect Ø High school classes that colleges look for Ø How to prepare for 8 th grade tests Ø 8 th grade test-taking strategies Ø What are college admissions tests? Ø PSAT exam Ø ACT Aspire exam Ø When will you take your college admissions test? Ø Study skills for any class Ø How to have a great 8 th grade year Ø Getting organized for 8 th grade success Ø 8 th grade success tips Ø Important notetaking tips Ø Tips to help you pay better attention during class Ø Building a positive relationship with your teachers Ø Rock your 8 th grade report card Ø Strategies for classroom success Ø 8 th grade class scheduling

3 October Ø What do you stand for? Ø Understanding skills for college planning Ø Life doesn t frighten me Ø 8 th grade social skills Ø Building your college list Ø Getting colleges and universities to notice you Ø Benefits of attending college fairs Ø Values: what s important to you? worksheet Ø Life after middle school Ø Honors and AP classes: are you ready? Ø Where to find career information Ø Responsibility rather than excuses Ø Selecting a future lifestyle Ø Tips on getting your behavior together Ø Where to go when you need homework help November Ø What is character development? Ø Growing in character Ø Keeping it all together career planning Ø How to speak college Ø College vocabulary

4 Ø Getting colleges to notice you Ø Keep your options open for high school Ø First-generation, college-bound students Ø You can afford a college education Ø Overcoming inconsistent test scores in all subjects Ø 8 th grade milestones Ø Top 10 ways to improve reading and math skills Ø College is my future Ø Why should I study? Ø Attitude is everything Ø What is time management? Ø Finding a place to study Ø Studying efficiently Ø You deserve a break December Ø Are you an effective learner? Ø Organization is needed for success Ø Getting organized: using time available more efficiently Ø Long-term career planning Ø Working out priorities Ø Looking back on what you ve done Ø Seven steps to dealing with problems Ø Setting up your study area Ø Improving your learning ability January

5 Ø 5 strategies to solve difficult test questions Ø Tips to increase your vocabulary Ø Text book reading tips Ø 6 test-taking errors to avoid Ø How to organize your writing Ø How to take an objective test Ø How to take essay tests Ø Knowing when to take notes Ø How to study for math exams Ø Multiple choice exam tips Ø Steps toward high school success Ø Tips for effective studying Ø How to be a good student Ø Exam hints Ø Public speaking tips February Ø Learn while you earn Ø Social media and college admissions Ø A sweet taste of the business world Ø Not sure about a college major Ø Not sure about a college minor Ø Where do I go for college? Ø Get rich tips Ø Money-saving magic Ø Degrees of cost Ø There s money out there for college Ø Testing your sanity

6 Ø You in a few words Ø Choices, choices, choices Ø Making bad decisions Ø The right fit Ø Your first college visit Ø A whole new world Ø Meet the next team Ø ABC s of financial aid Ø College savings options March Ø Creating your high school roadmap Ø Four things to do in the four years before college Ø Talking with your parents about college expectations Ø Taking with your parents about college affordability Ø Types of college admissions Ø Types of colleges and universities Ø Public or private Ø Small schools vs. large schools Ø How does a college get its reputation? Ø How to start your college search Ø In-state vs. Out-of-state tuition Ø How to choose a college major Ø The impact of diversity on campus Ø How location affects the cost of college Ø SAT vs. ACT: what s the difference?

7 Ø How to prepare for the SAT Ø How to prepare for the ACT Ø How to choose the right AP/honors classes for high school Ø How to identify academic strengths early April Ø First things first Ø High school do s and don ts Ø What s required to graduate high school? Ø Survive the future Ø Sharing the love of reading Ø A winning college admissions plan for high school Ø Extracurricular involvement affects college acceptance Ø Planning for college admissions tests Ø Writing your first resume Ø What is community service? Ø 10 questions to create your career vision Ø Career exploration Ø 5 things you need to succeed Ø Getting organized for final exams Ø Your final exam test schedule Ø Creating your final exam study schedule Ø Final exam studying by subject Ø Attending freshmen orientation Ø Transition into 9 th grade

8 8 th Grade Student Worksheets Samples Ø What Would You Like to Be? Ø Your Dream Career Ø Five Tips to Improve Test-Taking Skills Ø Notetaking Activity Ø What Makes Me Special? Ø College is in My Future Worksheet Ø Test-Taking Worksheet Ø How Well Are You Managing Your Time? Ø Study Tips Worksheets Ø Study Plan Worksheet Ø What Can I Become Ø Researching Colleges Worksheet Ø Getting on Your Colleges Mailing List Ø My First Resume Ø SAT or ACT Worksheet Ø Your Grades Your Future Ø Choose a Career/Choose a Future Ø What is My Future Career Path? Ø High School Course Planning Worksheet Ø Setting Smart Goals Worksheet Ø Preparing for School Success Worksheet Ø What Does It Cost to Live Like This?

9 Eighth Grade Parent Curriculum Course Overview September Ø 8 th grade transition Ø Is your child ready for back to school? Ø Welcome to your child s final year of middle school Ø 8th grade success plan Ø 8 th grade curriculum Ø Parent introduction letter to the teacher Ø The importance of attending new student orientation Ø Making your child s school your partner Ø What are 529 college savings plans? Ø What will my child learn in 8 th grade? Ø 8 th grade milestones Ø Questions to ask your child s school counselor Ø Structure of the 8th grade program Ø The importance of joining the PTA Ø College planning starts in middle school Ø Helping your 8 th grade student research careers Ø 8th grade social changes: what to expect? Ø Are you prepared for parent-teacher conferences? Ø Reward vs. punishment Ø Signing the homework contract Ø Best time for homework Ø The right way to help with homework

10 October Ø What is a college admissions test? Ø What do colleges and universities look for? Ø Tutoring needed or not? Ø Put the past in the past Ø Overcoming lack of parent-teacher communication Ø Keeping in contact with your child s teachers Ø Don t wait to get your child help Ø The importance of community service Ø Important time management skills for your 8 th grader Ø Top 10 things teachers wish parent would do Ø Help your child beat procrastination Ø Financing your child s education Ø Understanding financial aid November Ø Helping your 8 th grade student develop study skills Ø Time management and your 8 th grader Ø Getting your child involved in extracurricular activities

11 Ø Campus visits Ø Types of college admissions Ø Question to ask college admissions representatives Ø Building a college list Ø Researching college with your child Ø Understanding college scholarships Ø Understanding your child s financial aid options Ø Do you know what your 8 th grader should know? Ø How to overcome inconsistent test scores Ø Transitioning your child into to 9 th grade