College Word Guess Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Index cards with college-related terms (campus, degree, dorm, major, scholarship, library, lab, study abroad, professor, graduation).

Setup:
- Prepare and shuffle index cards in a basket or hat.
- Display chart paper or whiteboard for definitions.

Instructions:
1. Invite a student to draw one card and read the term aloud.
2. The student takes one guess at the meaning; classmates can add ideas.
3. Teacher reveals the correct definition and notes key points on chart paper.
4. Next student draws a card and repeats until cards are finished or time is up.

Differentiation:
- For ELL learners: include a picture or icon on each card to support comprehension.
- For students with IEPs or 504s: pair them with a peer “buddy” to discuss the term before sharing.
- For advanced learners: ask them to use the term in a complete sentence or give a real-world example.

Campus Crossroads Activity

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Chart paper from Group Campus Research, Markers

Purpose

This activity helps your group sort through all the cool information you found about colleges! You'll decide what you liked, what you didn't, and what you still wonder about. This will help you think about your dream campus.

Instructions

1. Group Review (1 minute): As a group, look at all the facts and notes you wrote down during your Group Campus Research.

2. Categorize Findings (3 minutes): On a new section of your chart paper, create three columns:

   • "What We Liked!" (Pros: things that sounded fun, helpful, or interesting about college programs, features, or student life)
   • "Hmm... Not For Us?" (Cons: things that sounded challenging, less appealing, or confusing)
   • "Still Wondering?" (Questions: things you still want to know or don't understand)

   Quickly write down at least two ideas in each column. You can use bullet points or draw small pictures.

3. Share One Thought (1 minute): When your teacher calls time, be ready for each group to share just one interesting "Pro," "Con," or "Question" they discussed with the whole class.

Example Ideas:

• Liked: "Learning in a science lab with cool tools!"
• Not For Us: "Having to do lots of homework every night."
• Still Wondering: "Do colleges have recess?"

Reflection Question:

What was the most interesting "pro" or "con" your group talked about, and why?

Campus Deep Dive Discussion

Purpose: Build on your discoveries and questions from the Wonder Wall to deepen understanding of college life and begin thinking about next steps.
Materials: Wonder Wall sticky notes from Wonder Wall Discussion, chart paper, markers

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen respectfully and take turns speaking.
• Build on each other’s ideas (“I agree because…,” “That makes me think of…”).
• Use evidence from brochures, websites, or your own notes.

1. What Surprised You Most?

Prompt: Look at the facts on our Wonder Wall. Which fact surprised you the most, and why?

Follow-Up: How might that surprise help you plan for your future studies?

2. Favorite Campus Feature

Prompt: From our research stations (College Brochure Pack, Campus Research Websites), which campus feature (e.g., library, sports field, lab) would you most like to experience? Describe one reason.

Follow-Up: How could that feature support your learning or hobbies?

3. Exploring Programs

Prompt: Think about a college program or major you discovered (Arts, Science, Trades, Athletics). Which one interests you and what activity or project might you do in that program?

Follow-Up: What skills would you need to develop now to prepare for that program?

4. Responding to Peers’ Questions

Prompt: Read a peer’s question on the Wonder Wall. How could we find the answer? Suggest one source or person (website, brochure, teacher, school counselor).

Follow-Up: If we asked that person or visited that website, what would your specific question be?

5. One More Question

Prompt: If you could ask one more big question about college life or programs, what would it be?

Next Steps

• Record your new question and idea for finding an answer on chart paper.
• Pair up and share one thing you’ll explore further at home or in the library.
• Set a “college-ready” goal: choose one skill to practice this week (e.g., time management, research, teamwork).

Thank you for sharing ideas and questions—your curiosity is the first step toward becoming a confident learner and future college explorer!

My Dream Campus Poster Project

Type: Group Project | Time: 15 minutes | Group Size: 4 students

Project Overview

In this culminating activity, each group will design a colorful poster that shows what their ideal college campus would look like. You’ll combine your research from brochures, websites, and the Wonder Wall to include campus features, academic programs, and extracurricular activities. Finally, you’ll present your poster in a 30-second “elevator pitch.”

Materials

• Chart paper (one sheet per group)
• Markers, colored pencils, crayons
• Glue sticks, scissors
• Brochures from the College Brochure Pack
• Notes from Campus Research Websites
• Findings from the Wonder Wall Discussion

Project Steps

1. Assign Roles & Brainstorm (2 minutes)
   • Illustrator, Writer, Research Lead, Presenter
   • Look at your notes and sticky-notes. List 3–4 campus features, 2–3 programs, and 2 extracurriculars you want to include.
2. Sketch Layout (3 minutes)
   • Roughly draw where buildings, green spaces, dorms, and activity areas will go.
   • Decide where to write program names and activity icons.
3. Create Poster (7 minutes)
   • Draw and color your campus features.
   • Label each feature (e.g., “Library & Lab,” “Art Studio”).
   • List your chosen academic programs and activities.
   • Use brochures or website print-outs for inspiration or to glue as real pictures.
4. Review & Practice (2 minutes)
   • Check that all elements are clear and labeled.
   • Practice your 30-second presentation using your poster.

Assessment Criteria

Use this checklist to guide your work. Your teacher will look for:

• Creativity & Visual Appeal: Attractive design, clear drawings, neat labels.
• Completeness: Includes at least three campus features, two programs, two activities.
• Accuracy: Labels correctly match what you researched in brochures/websites.
• Collaboration: All members contribute (roles are followed).
• Presentation: Clear, enthusiastic 30-second summary describing your dream campus.

Example Ideas

• Drawing a central library with steps leading to a science lab wing.
• Label an “Innovation Hub” for coding and robotics.
• Show a sports field next to a music rehearsal hall.

Reflection

After presenting, answer these questions on the back of your poster:

1. What was the most fun part of creating your dream campus?

1. Which skill did you use the most (e.g., drawing, writing, teamwork)?

1. What’s one new thing you learned about college through this project?

Campus Brochure Pack

Purpose: Provide students with a variety of real-style college brochures to explore diverse campus types, academic programs, and student experiences.

Contents (10 Brochures)

1. Liberal Arts College – Small campus, arts & humanities focus, vibrant student clubs
2. Research University – Large campus, STEM labs, graduate programs, research opportunities
3. Community College – Two-year degrees, vocational pathways, transfer options
4. Technical Institute – Hands-on training in trades and technology (coding, welding, automotive)
5. Fine Arts Conservatory – Music, dance, theater performance spaces, portfolio requirements
6. Agri-Science College – Agricultural research labs, farm management, environmental studies
7. Sports Academy – NCAA athletics, coaching programs, fitness facilities
8. STEM University – Engineering, computer science, math research centers
9. HBCU (Historically Black College/University) – Strong community ties, cultural clubs, leadership programs
10. Trade & Vocational School – Short-term certificates in culinary arts, cosmetology, construction trades

How to Use

• Set up the brochures at the College Brochure Pack station.
• Students work in groups to:
  • Pick 2–3 brochures to examine closely.
  • Record campus features, key programs, and student life highlights on their chart paper.
• Encourage students to compare campuses: What’s similar? What’s different?

Teacher Tip: Pre-print 2 copies of each brochure. Laminate for reuse. Provide highlighters for key facts.

Campus Research Websites

Purpose: Provide a set of kid-friendly websites where you can explore college campuses, programs, and student life. Use these resources during your research station to gather fun facts and ideas for your “My Dream Campus” poster.

How to Use

• Visit each website and spend 2–3 minutes exploring a campus feature, program, or student activity.
• On your group’s chart paper, record:
  1. One interesting campus feature (building, green space, dorm)
  2. One academic program you’d like to pursue
  3. One thing you learned about student life (clubs, dining, events)

1. YouVisit College Tours

• Website: https://www.youvisit.com/colleges
• What it is: Interactive 360° virtual tours of hundreds of colleges.
• Try this: Click on a campus map, then drag to look around classrooms, libraries, or sports fields.

2. BigFuture by College Board

• Website: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-colleges
• What it is: Search for colleges by location, size, or major. Read student profiles and browse photo galleries.
• Try this: Filter for colleges that offer arts or science programs and note one fun fact about each.

3. CampusTours (Student Edition)

• Website: https://www.campustours.com/student-edition
• What it is: Guided video tours created by college students. See dorm rooms, dining halls, and campus events.
• Try this: Watch a 2-minute video tour and list three things the student guide shows you.

4. Kids.gov Learning Corner: College Life

• Website: https://kids.usa.gov/college-life/index.shtml
• What it is: A friendly introduction to college terms, campus living, and student stories.
• Try this: Read “A Day in the Life of a College Student” and circle two new words, then guess their meaning.

5. VirtualRoyal 3D Campus Visits

• Website: https://www.virtualroy.com
• What it is: Engaging 3D walk-throughs where you can move through campus buildings with arrow keys.
• Try this: Explore a science lab or art studio and sketch one interesting feature you see.

Research Tips

• Work with your group: assign one person to take notes, one to navigate, one to sketch, and one to share findings.
• Compare two websites: What campus feature is shown differently? Why might that matter to you?
• Look for programs that match your hobbies (art, coding, sports) and write down one way to prepare now.