Table of Contents

 

Lesson                                    Description/Student Workbook Title                                Page #

Lesson 5 – WHAT ARE DIVISION I REQUIREMENTS?

 

In order to continue in courses at Helix Charter High School, students must meet basic requirements.  The Graduation Requirements read as follows:

            Graduation from Helix Charter High School is completed in a two-step process – Division I and Division II.  Students who are beginning high school enter Division I.  The program of study in Division I will focus on student demonstration of literacy and numeracy.  Additionally, every student will develop a statement of educational purpose that will reveal personal responsibility and determination for his or her own educational direction.  Division I requirements may be accomplished by course completion or demonstration of competency.  Completion of Division I will typically take place at or near the end of the second year at Helix.  Some students may need more time to complete Division I, and others may need less.

           

DIRECTIONS:  Read the Division I Requirements listed below.  Check the appropriate box next to the requirement.

 

Division I Requirement	Passed	In Progress or scheduled for this course in Term II	Failed	Need to Complete
English 3/4
World History 1/2
Geometry 1/2
Physical Fitness
Tech Discoveries
Tech Fundamentals
Sophomore Boards
Science (1 year)
SAT-9 Testing Scores at or above state average in reading, language, and mathematics.
Minimum 100 units

 

           

 

Based on your knowledge and understanding of the Division I requirements, be clear in your identification of courses in which you have passed and failed. Evaluations of your current progress will be instrumental in the preparation for your Sophomore Boards.
Lesson 6 – TRANSCRIPT REVIEW AND REFLECTION

 

            Today you will receive a copy of your transcript to date.  A transcript is a school record of courses you have taken, the grades you have earned, the course requirements toward graduation you have met and the requirements you have yet to meet.  This reflection is the second step toward satisfying the Division I graduation requirement.  You will be using information from your responses to the following questions as part of your March student-led presentation. Carefully review your transcript and answer each of the following questions.  While some questions ask for specific information, many are open-ended and do not have one clear correct answer.

 

DIRECTIONS: Review Lesson 5 and your transcript, then answer the following questions as best as possible.

 

1.     What classes have you taken so far?  (List all 9^th grade courses and quarter 1 classes from this year.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.     How have you done in them?  (List G.P.A. {Grade Point Average} and grades for each class, any re-takes of classes, any Honors classes, summer school classes, Highlander Camp, Academic Probation.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Describe your educational experience thus far.  (Are you learning, why or why not?  Does Helix Charter High School suit you? Are you distracted or engaged in learning?  Why or why not?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.     What are your thoughts and reactions to what you have accomplished so far?  (Are you pleased with your grades, your learning, and your courses?  Why or why not?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.     Are there classes you would like to take but haven’t yet?  What are they?  (Are there classes that interest you or link to a career?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.     How will you use this information in planning your future?  Reflect on what you have learned about yourself and your education.  (What have you learned about you as a learner?  How can you become a stronger student?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Lesson 7/8 – eGuidanceCenter:  ONLINE CAREER FINDER/EXPLORATION

Our school subscribes to an online career and educational guidance resource called eGuidance Center.  To support the development of our students with goals, we encourage all students and their parents/guardians to use this resource from any computer with Internet access.  The eGuidanceCenter is great for exploring career and education options, making plans for college or other post-secondary training, choosing the right school, preparing for the SAT or ACT, searching for scholarships and much more. 

 

The activity from the eGuidanceCenter that is required for your Division I Presentation is called CareerFinder.  CareerFinder is a career exploration tool that identifies careers based upon your skills and interests. 

 

You will only have 2 weeks to complete this activity. Please follow the instructions below to get started with the eGuidanceCenter. 

 

Accessing the eGuidanceCenter: 

1.     Find the eGuidanceCenter at www.eguidance.com

2.     If you are new to the eGuidanceCenter, you need to sign up for an eGuidance account.  Click Sign Up for a new eGuidance account.  Our school’s Site ID is:  10000041 and click Go. 

Complete the registration form.  You will need to complete all fields except the optional “middle initial” field.

When you are done, click Go to start using the eGuidanceCenter.

                                                   or

If you already signed up for an account, just enter your Username and Password and click Go to begin.

 

Please use the handout your Advisor gave you to assist you with this activity.  Contact the College / Career Center (Rm. 201) if you need any further assistance.

    

 

Lesson 9 – BRAINSTORMING CAREER OPTIONS

 

 

Because your selection of a career will guide your options in the future, careful planning of the career options is an important assignment of your high school career, and because you will be spending many weeks working on it, you need to consider your career choice carefully. Consider this brainstorming activity as the first step to completing your career exploration/search.

Within the first step of this process you need to consider all the interests and activities you enjoy as well as the results of the eGuidanceCenter: CareerFinder activity. Think about all the items you would like to do, learn, understand, see, or experience. Think about the results of your career exploration and the different types of careers the activity identified.

 

CATEGORIES TO CONSIDER

What are your interests?  What are your skills?  What careers are aligned with those same interest and skills?  What types of skills and interests did the CareerFinder activity identify?  Do you agree with those assessments of your interests?  Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS:  List 10-15 possible career choices from your CareerFinder activity results.  Identify those in which you have a strong interest in versus those that you are just curious about.

 

1.                                                                                                        

2.                                                                                                        

3.                                                                                                        

4.                                                                                                        

5.                                                                                                        

6.                                                                                                        

7.                                                                                                        

8.                                                                                                        

9.                                                                                                        

10.                                                                                                      

11.                                                                                                      

12.                                                                                                      

13.                                                                                                      

14.                                                                                                      

15.                                                                                                      

Lesson 9 – BRAINSTORMING CAREER OPTIONS (Con’t)

 

DIRECTIONS:  Select your top 3 career choices from page 6, then list them in the box below.  List possible avenues for interviews for each of these career areas. Follow the sample given below, adding to your career choices by identifying the following:

 

1.              Who do you know that is in the career field identified?

2.              How can you find out information about your career choice?

3.              Would you be able to interview someone about your career choice?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 10 – INVESTIGATION OF YOUR CAREER OPTION

 

Lesson 9 was designed to have you narrow down your career choices.  From this lesson, you are now ready to conduct an investigation of your selected career.  So far you have completed an initial reflection of your educational experience, completed the eGuidanceCenter’s CareerFinder activity, and brainstormed career options. Before beginning your investigation of your career option, follow the directions below to help guide your interview.

 

DIRECTIONS:  In the first column below, write down all that you know about your selected career.  In the middle column, write down what you want to know about your selected career, and finally (after the investigation) write down what you have learned from the investigation.

 

Career to Investigate: __________________________________                                       

 

What I Already Know About This Career…	What I Want To Know…	What I Learned…

 

Lesson 11 – CONDUCTING AN INTERVIEW (PartI)

 

You have completed the basic preparation for investigating your career option in preparation for your Sophomore Board (Division I Presentation). During the next two weeks you must conduct an interview with a person in this field.  The interview may occur in person, on the phone, through email or online chat. You should keep excellent notes from the interview to be brought to Advisory. At that time you will complete your Interview Reflection and share your findings with your peers. This valuable information will be a major portion of your student-led presentation.

Erin McGuire-Lytle from About.com emphasizes that the biggest benefit in conducting a career search interview is “the opportunity to gain an inside look at a specific career field from someone actually working in that position. The person conducting the information interview can find out much more about what is actually involved in the position’s duties than they would from written and online sources.”

 

Suggestions for How to Choose an Interviewee (McGuire-Lytle):

• Start with people you already know. Perhaps you have a family member, friend or neighbor in the area you wish to look into. If not, the Internet provides an excellent opportunity to find interview candidates. Begin by looking up university and college Web sites to find professors and students, or organizations and businesses to find professionals.
• Once you know whom you want to interview, you need to make contact with that person. If you found your subject over the Internet, it is simply a matter of sending email. Otherwise, you can send a letter and follow up with a phone call.
• Once you have made the initial contact, call to set up an appointment. Bend to the needs of your interviewee—remember they are taking time out of their schedule for you. The ideal setting for the interview is where your subject works. This will give you the opportunity to see the atmosphere you would be in should you choose to enter that field.

 

DIRECTIONS: Review your options for an interviewee and answer the following question.

 

At this point do you know of anyone you might interview? If yes, who? If not, what process will you follow to find an interviewee?                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Lesson 12    - CONDUCTING AN INTERVIEW (Part II)

 

DIRECTIONS: Review the following information for your own knowledge. As you review these questions, highlight the ones that you find most appropriate to use during your informational interview.  You may even add some of your own as you look back at your What I Want to Know section (pg. 8).  Be sure to go to your scheduled interview prepared with questions, paper, and pen.  Here are some sample questions.

 

1.              What is your position title?

2.              What are the requirements or qualifications for this type of position?

3.              Why do you like your job?

4.              What are the positive aspects of this field of work?

5.              What are the negative aspects of this field of work?

6.              What kind of qualities or characteristics should a person have to help them succeed in this field?

7.              What are the hours or schedule like?

8.              Is there a basic routine or a variety of activities?

9.              What do your day-to-day duties or responsibilities entail?

10.           What is the salary range for persons working in this field?

11.           Are there any other benefits such as vacation time or health benefits?

12.           What kinds of opportunities for advancement are there?

13.           How much stress is there in this position?

14.           What kind of educational background do employers look for?

15.           How would you recommend I go about getting the experience needed for this position?

16.           What occupations involve similar skills?

17.           What is the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone entering this field?

18.           What is the current and anticipated future demand for this field?

19.           Are there educational institutions that are well known for this field?

20.           Approximately how many years after high school it will take to be trained and educated in this field?

 

As the interview wraps up, ask if there is anything else that the interviewee would like to share.  Do not forget to thank the interviewee for his/her time!  Go a step further by sending a thank-you note a few days after the interview.  As you review this information, ask yourself if this is truly something you can see as being a part of your future.

What if I am unable to find someone who works in the field I am interested in?

Your option is then to research information about your chosen career field by using the following two sources:

• Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is located in the career center or online at http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.html.
• The job search website at http://jobsearch.about.com/careers/jobsearch/
• Go to the Interview tab of a selected career in CareerFinder @ www.eguidance.com

 

 

Lesson 13 – INTERVIEW REFLECTION

 

After completing the interview, you need to take time to reflect on the outcome of the responses gathered. In this lesson, you will be asked to look back on the interview and respond to some questions. Take time developing your responses.

 

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions.

 

What were the most important things you learned from this interview?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

What about this career field really appeals to you and why?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

What are some possible drawbacks from pursuing this career?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

From this interview, what surprised you the most about this career?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

If you do not now want to pursue this career, what might be another possibility and why?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Lesson 14 – REPORTING OUT ON YOUR CAREER OPTION

 

Now that your interview review is complete, it is time to report out about your career and obtain feedback.  In a learning circle of three peers, share the information you have learned about your career option. Instruct your peers to follow the directions below.

           

DIRECTIONS:  After completion of the report outs. Pass your Sophomore Advisory Manuals around allowing each of the peers to make suggestions of what else needs to be added/edited or learned? Additionally, provide key comments below and suggestions below.

 

Peer Review #1 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Peer Review #2 -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Lesson 15 – WHAT HELIX OFFERS: DIVISION II GRADUATION OPTIONS

As you consider what option you wish to pursue over the next two years, it is important to evaluate all the options so that you can make the correct decision.  There are four options for you to consider and each of the options has different aspects.  Over the next few weeks, you will be examining these options in preparation for your Sophomore Boards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do these options mean for Helix Charter High School students?

• Students need to be purposeful in their elective choices.
• This is not vocational education, although designed to prepare students for employment as well as post-secondary education.
• All choices are academically rigorous.
• All choices ask students to think about their educational future.

 

 

DIRECTIONS:  In the space provided below, write down what you already know about the Division II options.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Lesson 16 – TECH ACADEMY AND MEDIA PRODUCTION ACADEMY CAREER PATHS

 

School-to-Career offers many benefits to Helix students. The Division II program is designed to create smaller learning communities where students are grouped by interests rather than abilities.  Additionally, the program offers targeted services to students via guest speakers, field trips, and employee/employer experiences. The School-to-Career program is also geared to create post-secondary connections. Selecting a Career Path does not necessarily mean that you are committing to this career field.  It just means that the teachers are going to modify their core courses to make school more relevant and interesting.

 

The two Career Paths in this lesson are the Technology Academy and the Media Production Academy.  As part of these Career Paths, students will complete rigorous curriculum with specific elective choices to complement the Career Paths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TECH ACADEMY CAREER PATH

LEAD INSTRUCTOR—PAT WHITE

 

1^st and 2^nd year Division II elective choices focus on five core areas of emphasis representing majors, groups of classes the student is interested in pursuing.  Within each major, the student must choose the two required courses (in bold) and one elective.  Technology Academy majors are as follows:

 

• Digital Arts – Digital Imagery 1/2; 3D Animation; Digital Imagery 3/4; Web Design
• Computer Science:  C++; AP Computer Science; Java; Cisco Network Academy
• Digital Media:  Journalism or Yearbook; Web Design; Telecom 1/2; Graphics 1//2
• Hardware Support:  A+ Certification; Cisco Network Academy; Java; C++
• Specialized Major:  3 classes from any of the other 4 majors, which can prepare for a career (must be approved by technology advisor).

 

In addition, students in the Technology Academy Career Path will be required to complete a variety of core class integration assignments, participate in a common advisory, and are encouraged to obtain hardware support certificates, senior internships and relate their Senior Project towards technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA PRODUCTION ACADEMY CAREER PATH

LEAD INSTRUCTOR—MATT GUARNOTTA

 

1^st Year Division II – (Junior Year)

• Telecommunications (Mr. Guarnotta)

 

2^nd Year Division II – (Senior Year)

• Film as Literature (Ms. Lazzarini)

 

Additionally, students must take one of the following electives:  Telecommunications 3/4 or

5/6, 3D Animation, Photo, Journalism, Speech, Yearbook or Drama. 

 

Advisory will be with Mr. Guarnotta and Ms. Lazzarini.  Students will complete media related assignments in some of their other courses.  These are not extra assignments; students will simply complete a few regular assignments with a media emphasis to make classes more relevant to a career in Media.

 

 

DIRECTIONS:  Now that you have learned a little bit about the Tech Academy and Media Production Academy Career Paths, identify the aspects of these Career Paths that might be of interest to you.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Lesson 17 – HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY AND BUSINESS ACADEMY CAREER PATHS

     The Career Paths in this lesson are the Health Science Academy and Business Academy. As part of these Career Paths, students will complete rigorous curriculum with specific elective choices to complement the selected Career Path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY CAREER PATH

LEAD INSTRUCTOR—BART HAYS

1^st Year Division II –

• Coordinated Science 3/4 – Environmental or Chemistry
• Recommended Elective – Statistics
• Recommended Elective – Psychology

 

2^nd Year Division II –

• Requirement – Business English
• Requirement – Economics
• Mandatory Elective – Honors Science Seminar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS ACADEMY CAREER PATH

LEAD INSTRUCTOR—GIFFORD ASIMOS

1^st Year Division II –

• Marketing and/or Personal Finance/Statistics and/or Algebra II

 

2^nd Year Division II/Term I –

• Accounting I
• Economics or AP Economics
• Business English

2^nd Year Division II/Term II –

• Accounting II and/or Business Tech II and/or Hospitality Management

 

Lesson 18 – FOCUSED ELECTIVES, IDP’S & SDSU EARLY ENTRANCE

Other than Career Paths Helix offers three other options for graduation, they are the Focused Elective Program, Individually Designed Program or SDSU Early Entrance Program.  If you choose not to participate in a Career Path, then you must choose one of the three options listed above.  On the next few pages, these three options will be examined in further detail.

 

Focused Elective Program – Students choosing this option will select/develop and complete a focused elective program satisfying Helix Charter High School’s certification and employee/employer requirements as well as all requirements for entrance into the UC and CSU system. A focused elective program is a sequence of at least three courses taken during Division II, which provide increasing depth and breadth of learning, in a chosen career field. Unlike Career Paths (Option 1), the curriculums in the focused elective programs are neither team taught nor integrated. The employee/employer requirements may be met through an internship, work experience and/or selected coursework. 

 

Sample Focused Electives at Helix Charter High School

Art                              Art                              Broadcast Journalism          Construction

Art 1-4 and                 Art 1/2                        Drama                                     Construction Tech

2 of the following:       Photography               Telecommunications               Furn Mfg/Fin

Art 5/6                        Digital Imagery           Journalism                               ROP Cabinet

Digital Imagery           Graphics                    

AP General

 

Computer Cert.        Drafting                     Foreign Language                Pre-Engineering

Computer Repair        Drafting                       3 Terms of 1 Language            Pre-Calculus

Business Tech II         Adv. Drafting              1 Term of 2^nd Language           Calculus

A+ Certification          Interior Design                                                            2 of the following:

                                                                                                                        Physics, Statistics,

                                                                                                                        Chemistry

 

Pre-Med. AP Sci.      AP Psychology           Psych. of Culture                  Physical Educ.

                                                                        & Self-Expression

Biology (H)                 Environ. Sci. or           Multi-Cultural Lit.                  2 of the following:

Chemistry (H)            Chem or Physics         Psychology or AP Psych.      Weight Training

Physics (H)                 & Stats 1 or 2              AND CHOICE OF:                Dance, Physical

AP Biology &/or         & AP Psychology       Sociology; Art 3/4;                  Fitness; PE 10-12;

AP Chemistry                                                 Interior Design                        plus 2:  Sports

                                                                        Foreign Lang. 5/6                    Medicine 1 or 2;

                                                                                                                        Single Survival;

                                                                                                                        Anatomy/Physio.

 

Publications              Sports Medicine       Women & Children’s          Biology Field

                                                                        Studies                                   Studies

Photography               Anatomy/Physio,       U.S. History                           Coor. Sci 1/2

Journalism                   Sports Med. 1 & 2      English 5/6                              Coor. Sci 3/4

Publications I & II                                          Child Development 1/2           AP Environmental

Individually Designed Program (IDP) – This option exists for those students who are highly motivated and interested in a rigorous program of study, which includes off-campus, specialized training/college courses and career development.  Completion of this program will lead directly to qualifications for the UC and CSU systems OR entry into the workforce.

Examples might include students fulfilling all Helix Graduation requirements and additionally enrolled in:

• Community College Courses
• ROP Programs such as Fire Science, Automotive, Culinary Arts
• An apprenticeship program sponsored by a local union

 

 

 

 

SDSU Early Entrance Program – This is a program that is unique to Helix Charter High School.  This program allows highly motivated and qualified students to spend their senior year of high school at San Diego State University.  Students in this program will receive high school graduation credit as well as earn university credit for courses taken and successfully completed.  In most cases, students will graduate from Helix Charter High School and enter the university as a sophomore.  This is a unique and excellent opportunity for students to receive an entire year of college credit without tuition.  Students considering this option must have permission from the Administration of Helix Charter High School.  In addition, students in the SDSU Early Entrance Program must also meet the basic graduation requirements of Helix Charter High School.

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS:  Now that you have explored the other options different from the Career Paths, answer the next 4 questions to assist you in selecting your Division II Option.

 

1.              Did any of the focused elective options appeal to you?  If yes, which ones? And why?  If no, why not?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

2.              What questions do you still have about focused electives?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

3.              What are your thoughts on the IDP and SDSU Early Entrance Program?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

4.              What questions do you still have about the IDP and SDSU Early Entrance Program?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Lesson 19– PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER / DIVISION II OPTION SELECTION

DIRECTIONS: This form will be forwarded to your counselor for use in selecting Division II courses.

 

NAME (Please Print):  _____________________________________________________

ID#:  _________________________         ADVISOR: ____________________________                        

COUNSELOR:                                                          

 

 

1.              Which Division II Option are you selecting? 

q      Option 1 - CAREER PATHS (Circle One)

Tech Academy

Health Science Academy

Business Academy

Media Production Academy

 

q      Option 2 - FOCUSED ELECTIVE PROGRAM

                                         _____________________________Write the general focus desired.

 

q      Option 3 - INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED PROGRAM

                                         _____________________________Write the off-campus area of focus

 

q      *Option 4 - SDSU EARLY ENTRANCE           (Indicate G.P.A. ______)

   (*If selecting Option 4, you must also choose from Options 1-3 in case you are not selected)

 

 

1.     Explain why you selected your indicated option choice:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

________________________________________________________________________

 

2.  How does your selected option relate to your career goals?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

________________________________________________________________________

 

Lesson 20– WRITING DIVISION I BOARDS (2 Advisory Periods)

 

Now that you have reviewed your transcripts, explored career options, identified and investigated a career interest, reviewed the Division II options and thus, selected your Division II Graduation Option, you are now ready to begin writing your Division I Presentation Speech.

           Helix Charter High School requires that every student develop a statement of educational purpose that will reveal personal responsibility and determination for his or her own educational direction.  This statement will be a student-led presentation, which demonstrates personal reflection, educational growth, career option analysis, and commitment to a program of study for the completion of Division II requirements.  It is now time for you to organize that presentation.

 

The Presentation Prompt:

Write and deliver a 4-6 minute speech in which you reflect upon your educational growth, your career options and which program of study you will follow to complete the Division II requirements.

 

Your speech will contain your statement of purpose that tells what path or program you will follow.  You will support why this is the best selection for you by reviewing and reflecting upon your eGuidanceCenter, CareerFinder activity, your transcript record to date, future courses you hope to take, and specific information about your career field or choice learned from an interview and research.  The above information is found in your previous Sophomore Advisory Manual Lessons.  Some self-reflection will explain how successful you have been in school already and how you plan to be successful in the future.  You will need to use a visual aide during the presentation.

 

DIRECTIONS:  Work during Advisory to complete the outline of your speech.  This outline is provided to you as a guideline to assist you in the preparation for this speech.

 

I.               Introduction – an interesting lead-in and introduction of self

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

_________________________________________________________________________

 

 

II.             Your statement of purpose – which Division II Option have you chosen and what is the main reason for choosing this?  (General info, details to follow.)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

III.           Self-reflection about the eGuidance, CareerFinder activity – what did you learn about yourself and career opportunities?  Do you agree – why or why not?  How will you use this information?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

IV.           Transcript Review – How have you done in your Division I course work?  What have been your favorite courses and why?  Do these courses have any link to your future career?  What valuable things have you learned about yourself as a student thus far?  How will you become an even better student in the future?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

V.             Future Courses – What Division II courses do you look forward to taking?  How will these enhance your future career plans?  What courses will you need to take for your Division II Option?  Will any of these courses be completed off campus?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

VI.           The Interview/Investigation/Research – whom did you interview or where did you conduct your investigation/research?  What valuable information did you learn?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

VII.         Self-Reflection – How has this Division I requirement helped you most as you make your decisions about your future?  What have you discovered about yourself and your plans for your future?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

VIII.       Conclusion – Summarize what you want your audience to remember, restate your Division II Option, tell what happens now, and refer back to your creative lead-in.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Lesson 21 – SPEECH OUTLINE – PEER REVIEW

 

DIRECTIONS: Now that you have finished your speech outline, meet with another student and review your speech outline.  Use the following questions as a guideline to discussing and improving the speech outline.

 

1.              Does it appear the speaker begins with an interesting introduction that draws the listener in?  Does the introduction contain the speech’s statement of purpose about which Division II Option has been chosen?  How could this section be improved?

 

 

 

 

 

2.              Does it appear that the speaker will discuss the findings of the eGuidanceCenter, CareerFinder - Interest and Skills assessment in enough detail?  How could this section be improved?

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.              Will the speaker use specific facts gathered from the interview or research to discuss a particular career field?  How could this section be improved?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.              Will the speaker use specific facts gathered from the interview or research to discuss a particular career field?  How could this section be improved?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.              Does the speaker have a conclusion?  Is it appropriate to leave a lasting impression?  How will the speaker incorporate a visual aide?  What suggestions can you offer regarding these two items?

 

 

 

 

Lesson 22 – SPEECH TIPS AND A VISUAL

 

DIRECTIONS: Review the information below and discuss.

 

Division I Boards will take place on ______________, during Advisory. Students will stand before an Advisory and present their completed career research and career path selection.

 

Students will present for four to six minutes and then answer any questions. Students will be graded on the content of their speeches, their delivery, their visual aids and their ability to field questions.

 

Students should be able to explain the connection between their research and their Division II Option selection, as well as what they have learned about themselves in the course of completing their career exploration.

 

Preparing for Division I Boards

                       

Students must have completed the previous lessons during Sophomore Advisory in order to proceed to the presentation phase.

 

Division I Boards room assignments will be issued during Advisory one week prior to the presentation.  This will provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with their presentation location. It is the student's responsibility to show up on time and prepared to present.

 

The week before Division I Boards make sure to prepare and practice your presentation. Students must pass this presentation – speaking for four to six minutes, using a visual aid, wearing appropriate attire and presenting their completed career investigation – before they will be allowed to select their Division II courses.

 

To prepare for your presentation, carefully examine your research during your career investigation.

 

Speech judges will look for the following things in your speech:

• What career did you choose and why?
• What did you learn in your research?
• How are you using this information to make your Division II selection?
• How did you grow and learn in the experience?

• Voice, eye contact, poise, use of note cards and visuals.

 

 

 

Step 1: THE PLAN

Review the following the format for possible speech organization.

1. Organization – jot your ideas on separate 4 x 6 or 5x 8 cards and arrange them into an order that is logical and pleasing.
2. Plan your introduction. The introduction should:

a.     Grab attention.

b.     Make topic thesis clear. (Be sure to mention your research).

c.     Take no more than 30-60 seconds.

Consider using quotations, reading, dramatics, jokes, surveys or other audience participation sets, games, audio-visual devices, demonstrations, or questions.

3.     Plan your conclusion. A good conclusion should:

a.     Restate topic/thesis.

b.     Leave the audience thinking about what you have said.

c.     Take no more than 30-60 seconds.

4. Plan the display of your project. Will it be an ongoing, integral part of your speech, such as a slide show? Part of your introduction? Happen after your conclusion? Think about how to most effectively display your final piece. Avoid passing items around during your speech—this causes too much distraction.
5. Plan your visual aids—the next lesson will focus on this element in depth.
6. Make sure the room contains all the equipment you need before your speech.
7. Plan and practice your note cards. Do not write out your speech—use key ideas on your card to avoid reading. Number them to keep order.
8. Practice, practice, practice.

 

 

Step 2: THE VOICE

1.              Stay relaxed and express confidence.

2.              Practice aloud; practice more by using the phrases on the note cards to make up full sentences.

3.              Practice pausing at complete thoughts, trying not to memorize exact words, but rather becoming familiar with the speech content.

4.              Have fun sharing your information in an academic voice, allowing your personality to help establish a speaker’s presence.

5.              Listeners are more influenced by how a speaker talks that by what a speaker says.

6.              A strong speaking voice is loud enough to be heard, clear enough to be understood, expressive enough to be interesting, and pleasing enough to be enjoyable.

7.              Good speakers vary the pitch of their voices to show emotion or conviction.

8.              Try for a conversational tone overall.

Step 3: THE EYES

1.     Effective use of eye contact means direct, natural, and meaningful glances to an audience.

2.     Looking down and reading is not delivering a speech.

3.     Students can look at foreheads or noses if they are afraid to look at eyes.

4.     Eye contact needs to vary, looking around to all parts of an audience – left, center, right.

5.     An audience will usually believe what they see in a speaker’s face and manners.

6.     Use a visual aid and use gestures to reinforce your eye contact and sharing.

 

 

Step 4: THE POISE

1. Poise refers to a graceful, relaxed delivery.
2. The optimum posture for beginners is to be standing still, feet shoulder width apart with one foot slightly in front of the other, knees not locked, back straight, arms gently resting on a podium or holding the note cards, and natural breathing.
3. Be able to walk comfortably to point out specifics on a visual aid.

 

 

Step 5: THE VISUALS

When you are preparing for your presentation, remember that the old adage, “seeing is believing,” does have a ring of truth to it. When you present your Division I Board, you are the expert. Your job is to prepare a presentation that is articulate, informative and interesting. To do this you might plan to use charts, posters, or graphs you’ve designed as visual aids, or you might use slides, or Power Point, which shows you in some part of your project.

 

The visuals may be:

·      Physical objects, props, or models that are easy to carry and display and can effectively illustrate a message. Avoid passing objects around and make sure an audience can see them.

·      Charts or posters for simple visual messages that allow for a contrast with the use of colors. These need to be prepared in advance and should rest on an easel or against a white board. Lettering should be printed neatly and large enough to be seen by those in the back. Keep these simple; they should be used to illustrate main points only. These must be referred to during the presentation. Be aware of spacing and using appropriate and meaningful illustrations, examples and charts.

·      Power Point Presentation offer outstanding color and image clarity to highlight the key points in one’s speech. These can be time-consuming but when done can add a professional look. Make sure the room for one’s speech has the needed computer equipment.

 

With the use of any of these audio-visual aids in your presentation comes the responsibility of being properly prepared.

 

q      Once you are notified of your location for your speech, check to see what the room offers you. Be specific, especially when it comes to computer needs.

·      Easel

·      Screen

·      Overhead

·      Computer

·      Digital Projector

·      Other

 

q      If you plan to use slides or Power Point in your presentation, make sure everything is in proper order that you know how to work everything. Remember to practice with your visuals; do not assume that everything will just work out on the day of Division I Boards. The less stress—the better and practice makes perfect.

 

Remember, the visual component should enhance your presentation, not detract from it. The success of your presentation rests squarely upon your shoulders. Think each aspect through. You have been preparing for this the past several weeks.  Planning, preparing and presenting for success require responsibility—yours.

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 23 – DIVISION I BOARDS REVIEW

 

Now that your presentation is complete, it is time to report out about your experiences during the presentation process of career investigation as a group.

           

DIRECTIONS:  As a group report out on your experiences during the speeches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 24 – SENIOR BOARDS OBSERVATION/REVIEW – 2 ADVISORY PERIODS

 

During the next two Advisory periods you will be preparing for and observing Senior Board Rehearsals.  In this first part of the lesson, your Advisor will be reviewing the scoring rubric with you and discussing the expected behavior during the presentation.

 

DIRECTIONS: Review the Senior Board Rehearsals rubric and information handout with your Advisor in preparation for Senior Board Rehearsals next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN EFFECTIVE SPEECH INCLUDES:

·      Memorable introduction and conclusion

·      Balance between paper and project

·      Eye contact

·      Few um’s or er’s

·      Not just reading notes

·      Effective use of visual

 

WHAT AN APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE DOES:

·      Gives all attention to speaker, smiles at speaker

·      No eating, talking, reading or sleeping

·      Thinks of intelligent questions to ask

·      Applauds

 

 

Lesson 25 – ADVISORY WRAP-UP

 

            You have now completed the Sophomore Advisory Manual!  Next year you will be working towards the realization of many of the items put in place this year. You will be starting your Division II course selections, begin completing your Senior Project Proposal, take the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT exams, and participate in all the other activities that encase your first year of Division II at Helix Charter High School.  Enjoy the summer, but remember to stay focused on all the elements discussed this year. Summer is a great time to continue researching your areas of interest for careers and colleges, investigating scholarships and beginning the decision-making process for the Senior Project.  Good luck and we’ll see you again in August 2003!