Lesson Plan
Career Quest Game Show Facilitator Guide
To introduce 9th-grade special education students to diverse career fields and the foundational skills required for each through an interactive game show format.
This lesson makes career exploration engaging and accessible, helping students connect classroom learning to future possibilities and develop self-awareness about their interests and strengths.
Audience
9th Grade Special Education Students
Time
50 minutes
Approach
An interactive game show format with competitive rounds and collaborative learning.
Materials
The Great Career Challenge (slide-deck), Career Category Cards & Questions (game), My Career Clues Scorecard (worksheet), and My Top Career Clue (cool-down)
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: The Great Career Challenge, Career Category Cards & Questions, and My Career Clues Scorecard.
- Print and cut out the Career Category Cards & Questions.
- Make enough copies of the My Career Clues Scorecard for each student.
- Arrange classroom for game show style, if possible (e.g., clear central area, space for teams).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Career Brainstorm
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick brainstorm: "What are some jobs you know about?" Write student responses on the board.
- Introduce the idea that there are many different types of careers, and today we will explore some in a fun way!
Step 2
Introduction to Career Quest
5 minutes
- Display the The Great Career Challenge (Slide 1-2).
- Explain that students will participate in the 'Career Quest Game Show' to learn about different career categories and the skills needed for them.
- Divide students into small teams (3-4 students per team).
Step 3
Game Show Rounds: Career Category Exploration
25 minutes
- Use The Great Career Challenge (Slides 3-10) to guide the game.
- Explain how to use the My Career Clues Scorecard to keep track of points and notes.
- For each round, present a career category using the Career Category Cards & Questions.
- Read a clue/question from the card. Teams collaborate to guess the career category or answer the question.
- Award points for correct answers. Encourage discussion about why answers are correct or incorrect.
- Rotate through categories, ensuring all students have opportunities to participate.
Step 4
Skill Spotlight & Reflection
10 minutes
- After the game, use The Great Career Challenge (Slide 11-12) to discuss the various skills highlighted in different careers.
- Have students look at their My Career Clues Scorecard and reflect on which career categories seemed most interesting to them and why.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion: "What was one new career you learned about today? What skill did you hear that you think you already have or would like to develop?"
Step 5
Cool-Down: My Top Career Clue
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Top Career Clue for students to complete as an exit ticket.
- Collect scorecards and cool-down activity for review.
Slide Deck
The Great Career Challenge!
Welcome to Career Quest Game Show! Let's explore the world of work!
Welcome students to the 'Career Quest Game Show'. Explain that today they will be exploring different career fields in an interactive and fun way. Emphasize that everyone has unique strengths and interests that can lead to a fulfilling career.
What's Your Career Quest?
Get ready to explore different jobs and the amazing skills you need for them!
Introduce the purpose of the game: to discover various career categories and the skills associated with them. Explain that knowing about different jobs can help them think about their own futures.
How to Play Career Quest!
Work in teams!
Listen to the clues!
Guess the career category!
Earn points!
Explain the rules of the game. Students will work in teams. For each round, present a career category and clues. Teams will guess the category or answer questions about it. Refer to the My Career Clues Scorecard for how they track points.
Round 1: Arts & Creativity
Think about jobs where people create, design, or perform!
Introduce the 'Arts & Creativity' category. Give examples like artists, musicians, writers, designers. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Round 2: Science & Technology
Think about jobs that involve discovery, building, or problem-solving with computers!
Introduce the 'Science & Technology' category. Give examples like scientists, engineers, coders, doctors. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Round 3: Community & Service
Think about jobs where people help others and make their communities better!
Introduce the 'Community & Service' category. Give examples like teachers, police officers, social workers, nurses. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Round 4: Business & Finance
Think about jobs that involve managing money, selling things, or running companies!
Introduce the 'Business & Finance' category. Give examples like bankers, accountants, entrepreneurs, store managers. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Round 5: Trades & Production
Think about jobs where people build, fix, or make things with their hands!
Introduce the 'Trades & Production' category. Give examples like carpenters, electricians, chefs, factory workers. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Round 6: Sports & Recreation
Think about jobs that involve physical activity, games, or helping people enjoy their free time!
Introduce the 'Sports & Recreation' category. Give examples like athletes, coaches, fitness instructors, park rangers. Use the Career Category Cards & Questions to present clues.
Skills for Success!
Every career uses different skills. What skills did you hear today?
Transition from the game to a discussion about skills. Highlight that many jobs require a combination of skills. Encourage students to think about which skills they already possess or would like to develop.
What Sparked Your Interest?
Which careers sounded interesting to you?
What skills would you like to learn or improve?
Prompt students to reflect on the careers they learned about and identify any that piqued their interest. Ask them to consider what skills might be a good fit for them. This leads into the cool-down activity.
Your Career Journey Continues!
Keep exploring, keep learning, and discover your path!
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the idea that career exploration is an ongoing journey. Encourage them to keep an open mind and continue learning about different possibilities. Assign the cool-down activity.
Game
Career Category Cards & Questions
Instructions for the Teacher: Print and cut out each card. Present one card at a time to the class during the game show rounds. Read the category title and then one of the clues or questions. Teams discuss and provide their answer. Award points for correct answers.
Card 1: Arts & Creativity
- Clue 1: I design websites and apps to make them easy and fun to use. What am I?
- Answer: UX/UI Designer (User Experience/User Interface Designer)
- Clue 2: I use paint and brushes to create beautiful pictures. What am I?
- Answer: Artist / Painter
- Question: Name a job in Arts & Creativity that involves writing stories or scripts.
Card 2: Science & Technology
- Clue 1: I study animals and plants to understand the natural world. What am I?
- Answer: Biologist / Ecologist
- Clue 2: I write computer programs that make games and software work. What am I?
- Answer: Computer Programmer / Software Developer
- Question: What scientific career might involve looking through a telescope?
Card 3: Community & Service
- Clue 1: I teach students in a classroom every day. What am I?
- Answer: Teacher
- Clue 2: I help keep people safe and respond to emergencies. What am I?
- Answer: Police Officer / Firefighter / Paramedic
- Question: Name a job in Community & Service that involves helping people find jobs.
Card 4: Business & Finance
- Clue 1: I help people manage their money and save for the future. What am I?
- Answer: Financial Advisor / Banker
- Clue 2: I run my own company and sell products or services. What am I?
- Answer: Entrepreneur / Business Owner
- Question: What is a job in Business & Finance that involves keeping track of a company's money?
Card 5: Trades & Production
- Clue 1: I build houses and other structures using wood and tools. What am I?
- Answer: Carpenter
- Clue 2: I fix cars and make sure they run safely. What am I?
- Answer: Auto Mechanic
- Question: Name a job in Trades & Production that involves preparing food in a restaurant.
Card 6: Sports & Recreation
- Clue 1: I train athletes to improve their skills and teamwork. What am I?
- Answer: Coach
- Clue 2: I help people stay fit and healthy by leading exercises. What am I?
- Answer: Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer
- Question: What is a job in Sports & Recreation that involves organizing events like concerts or festivals?
Worksheet
My Career Clues Scorecard
Team Name:
Round 1: Arts & Creativity
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Round 2: Science & Technology
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Round 3: Community & Service
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Round 4: Business & Finance
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Round 5: Trades & Production
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Round 6: Sports & Recreation
- Clue/Question:
- Our Answer:
- Points Earned: ______
Reflection
- Which career category was the most interesting to your team? Why?
- Name one new job you learned about today.
- What is one skill that many careers seem to need?
Cool Down
My Top Career Clue: Exit Ticket
Name: _____________________________
-
Out of all the careers we talked about today, what was one that really caught your attention? (It doesn't have to be something you want to do, just something that seemed interesting!)
-
What was one important skill or piece of information you learned about this career or any other career today?
-
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being 'not at all' and 5 being 'very much'), how much do you feel like you learned something new about careers today?
1 2 3 4 5