Transcript Welcome to WOW! - Michigan State University

WOW! Wild Over
Work
Workshop Goals
• To understand the foundation of
WOW!
• To understand the components of the
WOW ! curriculum guide
• To experience activities from WOW!
• To leave feeling “wild over work!”
WOW! is for School-Age
Kids
• Age group (K-6)
• Settings
– 4-H Clubs
– Afterschool
Programs
– Classrooms
What is Workforce
Preparation?
• Process of preparing to
enter the workforce
• Series of learning
experiences starting in
early childhood and
continuing throughout
adult life
• Prepares the way for later
career decision making
Rationale for Design
• Based on what we know about:
–Youth development
–Curriculum development
–Skills needed for the workforce
–Career development
What is Developmentally
Appropriate?
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Considers the whole child
Integrates curriculum domains
Focus is active vs. passive
Allows work in small groups
Develops social interaction skills
Contains relevant, meaningful and
engaging content
• Fosters positive attitudes toward learning
• Allows for acquisition of important
knowledge and skills
The future is now . . .
A future president of the United States is in a
classroom today. Seated next to her may be
a future salesperson, a manager of a
manufacturing plant, a journalist, a doctor, a
steelworker and a scientist.
These children need to learn vital
skills now so they are prepared
for whatever profession they
choose later in life.
National School-to-Work Learning and Information Center
Career Developmental Tasks
for School-Age Children
• Develop self-awareness of
interests, values, abilities, and
personal qualities.
• Become aware of career options
and explore a variety of options.
• Acquire knowledge of workers
and their role and appreciate the
value of work.
Career Developmental Tasks
for School-Age Children
• Develop attitudes that support
competence, cooperation, and
achievement.
• Develop an understanding of the
relationship of interests and
values to occupational choices.
• Learn decision-making
strategies.
Important Points to
Consider
• Focus on skills that would
contribute to success in any job.
• Take into account how children
develop and learn.
• Make tasks meaningful now and
to future success.
• Emphasize exposure to options
vs. making final choices.
Focus on Employability
Skills
• Secretary’s Commission on
Achieving Necessary Skills SCANS (1991)
– Workforce Competencies
• information, resources,
interpersonal skills, systems,
and technology
– Foundation Skills
• basic skills, thinking skills and
personal qualities
WOW! Goals
• Develop an awareness of the wide range of career
options available and the education and skills required
for them.
• Develop an understanding of self as a worker and in
relation to potential career choices.
• Develop attitudes of respect and appreciation toward
all workers and their contributions to society.
• Develop skills for exploring potential
career choices in greater depth.
• Develop a vision for “seeing myself
in the future.”
WOW! Goal #1: Awareness
• Develop an awareness of the wide
range of career options available and
the education and skills required for
them.
WOW! Goal #2: Self
• Develop an understanding of self as
a worker and in relation to potential
career choices.
WOW! Goal #3: Attitudes
• Develop attitudes of respect and
appreciation toward all workers and
their contributions to society.
WOW! Goal #4: Skills
• Develop skills for exploring potential
career choices in greater depth.
WOW! Goal #5: Vision
• Develop a vision for “seeing myself
in the future.”
WOW! Curriculum
Themes
Goals
WOW! Big Ideas
• All work is valuable.
• Not all work is paid.
• Workforce skills are those that can
be applied in many settings.
• It’s important to explore many
options.
• People can match their skills
interests to find jobs they can do.
• Many factors influence future
career decisions.
Activity Design
• Group activities led by adult
• Developmentally appropriate
for elementary-age children
• Incorporate workforce
competencies and
foundation skills in order to
do the activity
• Help children learn about
options
About the Activities
• Activities do not require a
specific sequence . . .
– Good for those who want to
integrate with an existing
program
– Work for those who have
experience planning & leading
group activities
– More difficult for those who
need a more structured
experience
About the Activities
• Some can be
completed easily in
one session.
• Others need time
for two or more
sessions.
• All can be
expanded with
extension
activities.
Caution: If you adapt . . .
• Workforce skills and
competencies are
embedded in the activity don’t lose them in the
process of making changes.
• Without discussion (“Talking
it Over”), the connections to
goals and big ideas may not
happen.
Use the Sandwich
Approach
• With guest speakers and field
trips, use the sandwich approach:
– Preparation (Bread)
– Experience (Filling)
– Reflection and Follow-Up (Bread)
The filling is tasty, but the bread holds
the “learning sandwich” together.
How You Can Use WOW!
• Integrate activities into
existing content or
programs; give new focus
to current programs.
• Create new programs or
work with new audiences.
• Use as a stepping stone
for other ideas.
Delivery Models
• School classroom
– teacher-led
– volunteer-led
– agent-led
• Special interest programs
• Afterschool child care & clubs
• Summer camps
• Service-learning experience for
high school or college students
Putting It All Together
• Portfolio Process
–Collect
–Reflect
–Select
Career Coaches
• College students facilitating
afterschool career clubs for
elementary students
• Service-learning model for
college students
• Asset-building model for
elementary students
How You Can Use WOW!
• Help leaders see how they can
integrate activities into existing
4-H projects:
– Getting the Job Done
– Wow! What I Do Well
– Inquiring Minds Want to Know
– Only the Shadow Knows
– Speech! Speech!
Program Development
Recommendations
• Target elementary
students.
• Capitalize on high
interest.
• Create career-rich
learning
environments.
• Encourage active
exploration.
Program Development
Recommendations
• Provide exposure
to role models.
• Emphasize
community service
and volunteer
experiences.
• Once is not
enough.
• Use the media.
My Future
(class poem written by 3rd grade students)
When I grow up I think that I
Could fly an airplane in the sky.
Or be a doctor dressed in white
And make the people feel all right.
I might build things with my hands
Or cook food with pots and pans.
I could teach or work in a store
Or put some carpet on the floor.
Right now I don’t know what I’ll be.
But whatever it is, it’s up to me.