Project Guide
Life Launchpad: Curriculum Outline
A 10-session, 90-minute Tier 1 life-skills series for transition-age students (18–22). Each session includes a clear objective and a brief overview of activities and discussions.
Session 1: Welcome & Self-Advocacy
Objective: Students will understand self-advocacy principles and begin articulating their needs.
Overview:
- Icebreaker and personal goal sharing
- Introduction to self-advocacy: what it is and why it matters
- Role-play scenarios: asking for support in academic, work, and community settings
- Reflection and personal action plan
Session 2: Effective Communication
Objective: Students will practice active listening and clear verbal/non-verbal communication.
Overview:
- Communication styles overview
- Paired exercises on active listening and paraphrasing
- Non-verbal cues activity: body language charades
- Group discussion: adjusting communication for different audiences
Session 3: Time Management & Organization
Objective: Students will learn to prioritize tasks and create personal schedules.
Overview:
- Time-audit activity: tracking a week in 15-minute blocks
- Introduction to planners, calendars, and digital tools
- Prioritization matrix practice (urgent vs. important)
- Build a sample weekly plan and share strategies
Session 4: Budgeting & Financial Literacy
Objective: Students will develop a personal budget and understand basic banking tools.
Overview:
- Needs vs. wants exercise
- Components of a budget: income, expenses, savings
- Hands-on budgeting worksheet with example scenarios
- Intro to checking/savings accounts, debit vs. credit cards
Session 5: Job Search & Resume Building
Objective: Students will create or update a resume and explore job search resources.
Overview:
- Resume fundamentals: sections, formatting, action verbs
- Peer review: feedback on draft resumes
- Exploring online job boards and school career services
- Cover letter basics and elevator pitch practice
Session 6: Workplace Etiquette & Interview Skills
Objective: Students will demonstrate professional behavior and practice interviewing.
Overview:
- Dress codes, punctuality, and digital etiquette
- Common interview questions and best-practice responses
- Mock interviews in pairs with peer feedback
- Debrief: strengths and areas for growth
Session 7: Healthy Living & Self-Care
Objective: Students will identify strategies to maintain physical and mental well-being.
Overview:
- Components of a balanced lifestyle: nutrition, exercise, sleep
- Stress-management techniques (breathing, mindfulness)
- Creating a personalized self-care plan
- Group share: overcoming common barriers to healthy habits
Session 8: Problem Solving & Decision Making
Objective: Students will apply structured approaches to real-life challenges.
Overview:
- Steps in problem solving (define, brainstorm, evaluate, decide)
- Case study groups: workplace or personal dilemmas
- Decision-matrix tool practice
- Reflective journaling on recent decisions and outcomes
Session 9: Community Resources & Networking
Objective: Students will locate and connect with local supports and networks.
Overview:
- Mapping community assets: services, nonprofits, advocacy groups
- Guest speaker or virtual tour of a local resource center
- Networking basics: informational interviews, social media etiquette
- Plan a resource visit or connection activity
Session 10: Goal Setting & Future Planning
Objective: Students will set SMART goals and outline next steps for independence.
Overview:
- SMART goals framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Personal vision boarding or digital collage activity
- Developing a multi-step action plan with deadlines
- Celebration of progress: share goals and commitment statements
This outline can be expanded with worksheets, guest speakers, and field experiences to deepen learning and real-world application. Feel free to adapt session order and topics based on students’ interests and needs.
Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Students will understand self-advocacy principles, share personal goals, practice asking for support in real-world scenarios, and create an individual action plan.
Self-advocacy empowers students to communicate needs effectively in academic, work, and community settings, laying the foundation for independence and confidence.
Audience
Transition-Age Students (Ages 18–22)
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-play, and guided reflection.
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print one copy per student of Self-Advocacy Principles Handout, Goal-Sharing Prompts, Role-play Scenario Cards, and Personal Action Plan Template.
- Review the Curriculum Outline for Session 1 to ensure alignment with overarching goals.
- Arrange seating in small groups of 3–4 for role-play activities.
Step 1
Icebreaker & Goal Sharing
15 minutes
- Arrange participants in a circle and distribute Goal-Sharing Prompts.
- Teacher models by choosing a prompt and sharing a personal goal related to self-advocacy.
- Each student selects a prompt and shares a personal goal for the session or semester.
- Encourage brief follow-up questions to build rapport.
Step 2
Introduce Self-Advocacy Principles
20 minutes
- Distribute Self-Advocacy Principles Handout.
- Present key concepts: definition of self-advocacy, why it matters in adult life, and common barriers.
- Facilitate a group discussion: ask for real-life examples of when asking for help felt challenging or rewarding.
- Highlight strategies from the handout (e.g., clear language, knowing your rights, respectful tone).
Step 3
Role-Play Scenarios
25 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 and give each group a set of Role-play Scenario Cards.
- In each group, one student acts out a scenario (e.g., requesting a workplace accommodation), one observes, and one or two peers provide support or feedback.
- Rotate roles so each student practices both speaking up and observing.
- Observers note effective techniques and offer constructive suggestions based on the handout.
Step 4
Reflection & Personal Action Plan
20 minutes
- Hand out the Personal Action Plan Template.
- Students choose one real-world context where they want to improve their advocacy (school, job, community).
- Complete the template: describe the situation, set a clear objective, list strategies learned, and outline next steps with a timeline.
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their plans; classmates offer positive feedback and additional tips.
Step 5
Debrief & Next Steps
10 minutes
- Lead a whole-group discussion: What strategies felt most useful? What challenges remain?
- Ask students to commit to at least one self-advocacy action in the coming week (e.g., emailing a professor, requesting an interview question clarification).
- Remind students to track their experience and be ready to share outcomes in the next session.
Slide Deck
Session 1: Welcome & Self-Advocacy
Agenda:
• Icebreaker & Goal Sharing (15 min)
• What is Self-Advocacy? (20 min)
• Role-Play Scenarios (25 min)
• Reflection & Action Plan (20 min)
• Debrief & Next Steps (10 min)
Welcome everyone to Session 1. Introduce yourself and quickly set a positive tone. Point out today’s agenda and time allocations so students know what to expect.
Icebreaker & Goal Sharing
• Distribute Goal-Sharing Prompts handout.
• Teacher models by sharing a personal goal.
• Students pick a prompt and share their goals.
• Encourage follow-up questions to build rapport.
Distribute the Goal-Sharing Prompts handout. Model by picking a prompt and sharing your own goal clearly and briefly. Invite students to select a prompt and take turns sharing. Encourage peers to ask one follow-up question each.
What Is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy is the ability to understand and communicate your needs and rights.
Why it matters:
• Builds confidence
• Promotes independence
• Improves outcomes in school, work, and community
Define self-advocacy and explain why it matters: independence, confidence, and better outcomes. Ask for examples from students’ own experiences where asking for help was difficult or rewarding.
Key Principles & Strategies
- Use clear, respectful language
- Know your rights and options
- Prepare and plan ahead
- Apply active listening to understand others
Common barriers:
• Fear of judgment
• Lack of information
• Unclear communication skills
Highlight each principle with a brief story or example. Discuss common barriers (fear, uncertainty, communication gaps) and how strategies overcome them.
Role-Play Scenarios
• Form groups of 3–4.
• Roles: Speaker, Observer, Supporter(s).
• Use Scenario Cards to practice asking for support (e.g., workplace accommodation, assignment clarification).
• Observer notes effective techniques and offers feedback.
Explain the group structure and roles. Circulate to ensure each group follows the rotation: speaker, observer, supporter. Remind observers to note specific techniques and offer constructive feedback.
Reflection & Personal Action Plan
• Complete Personal Action Plan Template:
– Context & situation
– Clear advocacy objective
– Strategies to apply
– Next steps with timeline
• Volunteers share plans; group offers feedback.
Distribute the Personal Action Plan Template. Walk through each section with an example: context, objective, strategies, next steps. Encourage detail in the timeline. Invite 2–3 volunteers to share.
Debrief & Next Steps
• What strategy resonated most?
• What challenges remain?
• Commit to one self-advocacy action this week (e.g., email a professor).
• Track your progress to share in the next session.
Lead a final group discussion. Use students’ comments to reinforce key strategies. Remind them to commit to one self-advocacy action this week and to track their experience.