Lesson Plan
CTE Skill Challenge
Students will actively participate in a scenario-based activity to practice and demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, work ethic, initiative, self-management, and technology skills within a CTE context.
These skills are fundamental for success in any CTE field and future career. By practicing them in real-life scenarios, students will understand their importance and learn to apply them effectively in collaborative settings, leading to greater job readiness and personal growth.
Audience
9th Grade CTE Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Scenario-based activity with group discussion and reflection.
Materials
Small whiteboards or large paper for each group, Markers, Scenario Cards, CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck, Teacher Script, Warm-Up: Skill Check-In, and Cool-Down: One Word Wonder
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the CTE Skill Challenge Lesson Plan, CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck, and Teacher Script.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards, ensuring one card per group.
- Prepare small whiteboards or large paper and markers for each group.
- Ensure projector/display is ready for the CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Skill Check-In
2 minutes
- Begin with the Warm-Up: Skill Check-In. Ask students to think about one skill they're excited to practice today. (See Teacher Script for details and suggested questions).
Step 2
Introduction to CTE Skills
2 minutes
- Use the CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck to briefly introduce the life skills for the lesson: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Adaptability, Work Ethic, Initiative and Enterprise, Self-Management, and Technology.
- Explain that these skills are essential in all CTE shops and will be practiced today.
Step 3
CTE Scenario Challenge Activity
8 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Distribute one Scenario Card, a whiteboard/paper, and markers to each group.
- Explain the task: Each group reads their scenario, identifies which CTE skills are most important for solving it, and outlines a plan of action. They should be prepared to share their solution.
- Circulate among groups, providing guidance and prompting discussion (refer to Teacher Script for prompts).
Step 4
Group Sharing and Discussion
2 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask 1-2 groups to briefly share their scenario and proposed solution, highlighting the skills they focused on.
- Facilitate a quick discussion on common themes or challenges.
- Emphasize the interconnectedness of these skills in real-world CTE settings.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Word Wonder
1 minute
- Conclude with the Cool-Down: One Word Wonder. Ask students to share one word that describes what they learned or felt during the activity. (See Teacher Script for details).
use Lenny to create lessons.
Slide Deck
CTE Skill Challenge: Master Your Future!
Today, we're going to dive into some superpowers you'll need for any career, especially in your CTE shops!
Welcome students and introduce the day's challenge. Explain that these are crucial skills for their future careers.
Why Are These Skills Important?
- Beyond technical skills, these help you succeed.
- They make you a great teammate and problem-solver.
- Employers look for these skills!
Emphasize that these aren't just 'soft skills' but essential professional skills that make them valuable employees.
Today's Superpowers!
Communication: Speaking and listening clearly.
Teamwork: Working together for a shared goal.
Problem-Solving: Finding solutions to challenges.
Adaptability: Adjusting to changes.
Work Ethic: Being reliable and motivated.
Initiative & Enterprise: Taking action and generating ideas.
Self-Management: Organizing yourself and your time.
Technology: Using digital tools effectively.
Quickly introduce each skill. Don't dwell too long, as the activity will demonstrate them.
Your Mission: The Scenario Challenge!
- Read Your Scenario: Each group gets a real-world CTE problem.
- Identify Key Skills: Which 'superpowers' will help you solve it?
- Brainstorm a Solution: Work together to create a step-by-step plan.
- Be Ready to Share! How did your group tackle the challenge?
Clearly explain the activity steps: read scenario, identify skills, create a plan. Remind them it's collaborative.
Reflect & Grow
- What skills did your group use most?
- How can you apply these in your CTE shop?
- Why is practicing these important for your career?
Encourage reflection on how these skills apply beyond the classroom. Connect it to their CTE programs.
Activity
Scenario Cards: CTE Skill Challenge
Instructions: Read your group's scenario carefully. Discuss how you would solve this problem, focusing on which of the following CTE skills are most important: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Adaptability, Work Ethic, Initiative and Enterprise, Self-Management, and Technology. Outline a step-by-step plan.
Scenario Card 1: Auto Tech Troubles
You are working in the auto tech shop. Your team is trying to diagnose a strange noise in a car engine, but the diagnostic computer system keeps crashing. Your team leader is getting frustrated, and another team member insists on trying a solution that you know won't work, but they refuse to listen.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Scenario Card 2: Culinary Chaos
It's a busy day in the culinary arts kitchen, and you're preparing for a big catering event. The head chef unexpectedly changes the menu last minute, requiring a completely new dessert that no one in your group has made before. You also realize a crucial ingredient for the original main course is missing.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Scenario Card 3: Construction Conundrum (Carpentry/Electrical/Plumbing)
Your group is building a small shed. Halfway through the project, you realize the blueprints provided are outdated, and a crucial measurement for the roof pitch is incorrect, which will affect both the electrical wiring and plumbing rough-ins. The teacher is busy with another class.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Scenario Card 4: Health Assisting Hiccup (Health/Dental Assisting)
In the health assisting lab, your group is practicing patient intake. You have a new patient who speaks very little English and seems distressed. The electronic health record system is also running very slowly, making it difficult to access their previous medical history quickly.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Scenario Card 5: Business Tech Breakdown
Your team is preparing a presentation for a client, and the deadline is fast approaching. The shared project file is corrupted, and your main presenter suddenly feels unwell and needs to leave. You also discover that the client's preferred presentation software is one your team rarely uses.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Scenario Card 6: Robotics Roadblock (STEM/Robotics)
Your robotics team is programming a robot for a competition. Just before the final test run, the robot unexpectedly starts moving in the wrong direction. You have limited time, and your lead programmer is absent today. The documentation for this specific robot model is also hard to find.
Key Skills to Use:
Your Plan of Action:
Script
Teacher Script: CTE Skill Challenge
Warm-Up: Skill Check-In (2 minutes)
(Teacher says while projecting CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Good morning, everyone! Today we're going to tackle something super important for your future careers, no matter which CTE shop you're in. We're talking about essential life skills.
To start, let's do a quick 'Skill Check-In.' Think about one skill that you've used recently, either in school, at home, or with friends, that helped you get something done or solve a problem. It could be talking to someone to clear up a misunderstanding, working with a friend on a project, or even figuring out how to fix something that broke.
Just take a moment to reflect. Does anyone want to share their skill and how it helped them?"
(Pause for 1-2 student responses. Acknowledge their answers and connect them to the idea of 'life skills'.)
"Great examples! Those are exactly the kinds of skills we're going to focus on today."
Introduction to CTE Skills (2 minutes)
(Teacher says while projecting CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck - Slide 2 and 3)
"Let's quickly look at why these skills are so vital. (Click to Slide 2) Beyond the amazing technical skills you're learning in your shops, these 'life skills' – sometimes called 'soft skills' or 'employability skills' – are what make you truly successful. They help you collaborate, solve problems, and stand out to employers.
(Click to Slide 3) Today, we're focusing on eight key superpowers: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Work Ethic, Initiative and Enterprise, Self-Management, and Technology. Don't worry if you don't feel like a master of all of them yet; today is about practicing!
CTE Scenario Challenge Activity (8 minutes)
(Teacher says while projecting CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck - Slide 4)
"Now for our challenge! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a Scenario Card with a real-world problem that could happen in one of our CTE shops. Your mission is to work together to solve it.
(Read instructions from Slide 4):
- Read Your Scenario: Understand the problem your group is facing.
- Identify Key Skills: Discuss which of our eight 'superpowers' (Communication, Teamwork, etc.) are most important for solving your specific challenge. Write them down.
- Brainstorm a Solution: Create a step-by-step plan of how your group would tackle this problem. What would you do first? Who would do what? How would you use those skills?
- Be Ready to Share! In a few minutes, we'll ask a couple of groups to briefly share their scenario and their plan.
I'll be circulating to answer questions and hear your fantastic ideas. Ready? Let's get into groups!"
**(Divide students into groups of 3-4. Distribute Scenario Cards, whiteboards/paper, and markers. Circulate, listen, and offer prompts like:)
- "What's the biggest challenge in this scenario?"
- "Which skill do you think will be most critical here? Why?"
- "How can you use communication to improve this situation?"
- "What if your first idea doesn't work? How would you adapt?"
- "Who in your group is taking initiative here?"
Group Sharing and Discussion (2 minutes)
(After 7-8 minutes, bring the class back together.)
"Alright, everyone, let's bring it back! Amazing discussions I heard happening in your groups. Let's have one or two groups quickly share their scenario and their proposed solution. Make sure to tell us which skills you identified as most important."
(Call on 1-2 groups. Allow each to share for about 1 minute. After each share, briefly ask a follow-up question or make a connection.)
- "Excellent! You really highlighted the need for adaptability and problem-solving there."
- "Great point about technology being key to diagnosing the issue."
Cool-Down: One Word Wonder (1 minute)
(Teacher says while projecting CTE Skill Challenge Slide Deck - Slide 5)
"To wrap up, let's do a 'One Word Wonder.' Think about today's activity and our discussion. What is ONE word that describes something you learned, something you felt, or something you're taking away from this lesson?"
(Allow students to volunteer words. If time, ask 1-2 students to briefly elaborate.)
"Fantastic! Remember, these skills are just as important as the hands-on techniques you learn. Keep practicing them every day in your shops and in your lives. Great work, everyone!"
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Skill Check-In
Instructions: Take a moment to think about the following question. You'll have a chance to share your thoughts with the class.
Question:
What is one skill (like talking to people, working with friends, or figuring out a tricky situation) that you have used recently that helped you get something done or solve a problem?
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One Word Wonder
Instructions: Reflect on today's CTE Skill Challenge activity and discussion. In one word, describe something you learned, something you felt, or your biggest takeaway from this lesson.
My word is: ____________________
(Optional: Be prepared to briefly explain why you chose that word.)