Lesson Plan
Policy Power
Students will locate two official policies/procedures for a chosen setting (e.g., attendance/make-up, call-out, academic honesty, time-off) and summarize each in one sentence, plus note one support office or benefit.
Understanding how to find and interpret policies is a crucial life skill for success in college, vocational training, or the workplace. It empowers students to be informed and proactive.
Audience
12th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on scavenger hunt and summarization.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Know Before You Go Slides, Policy Lookup Sheet, Scavenger Hunt Quick Links, Sample Policy Snippets, and Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Know Before You Go Slides and practice the demonstration of policy lookup.
- Print copies of the Policy Lookup Sheet (one per student).
- Ensure the Scavenger Hunt Quick Links are accessible to students (e.g., printed, linked digitally, or displayed).
- Have Sample Policy Snippets ready to distribute or display.
- Print copies of the Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words (one per student).
- Arrange students into small groups or table groups (3-4 students per group).
- Test projector/Smartboard functionality.
Step 1
Introduction & Demonstration (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use the Know Before You Go Slides to introduce the concept of policies and their importance.
- Teacher Script: "Imagine starting a new job or college. What are some things you'd want to know right away? How would you find that information? Today, we're going to become policy powerhouses!"
- Demonstrate how to navigate an official website (e.g., school district, local community college, or a mock company site) to find a specific policy (e.g., attendance, academic honesty). Highlight keywords and navigation tips.
Step 2
Policy Scavenger Hunt (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (if not already).
- Distribute the Policy Lookup Sheet and provide access to the Scavenger Hunt Quick Links.
- Teacher Script: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find two policies and one support office or benefit from your chosen setting using these quick links. Summarize each policy in one sentence on your sheet and note the support."
- Circulate and provide support as students navigate and interpret policies. Offer the Sample Policy Snippets as a reference or for groups struggling to find policies.
Step 3
Group Share & Discussion (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask each group to share one surprising or important policy they discovered with their table groups.
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, asking: "Why is it important to know these policies before a problem arises?"
Step 4
Exit Ticket & Wrap-up (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words.
- Teacher Script: "For your exit ticket, choose one policy you found today and paraphrase it in your own words, as if explaining it to a friend. This helps us ensure we truly understand what these policies mean."
- Collect exit tickets as students leave. Review them to gauge student understanding and identify any areas for re-teaching.
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Slide Deck
Policy Power: Know Before You Go!
Why is it important to know the rules before you play the game (or start a job/college)?
Today, we'll learn how to find crucial policies and what they mean for YOU!
Greet students and introduce the topic of policies. Ask a provocative question to engage them. Transition to why understanding policies is a crucial life skill.
What Are Policies Anyway?
Official rules and guidelines for a specific setting (college, workplace, etc.)
Examples:
- Attendance/Tardy Policy
- Academic Honesty Policy
- Time-Off/Leave Policy
- Dress Code Policy
Policies often come with procedures, benefits, and support systems!
Explain what policies are and provide examples relevant to students' future lives (college, work). Emphasize that policies aren't just rules, but also sources of support and benefits.
The Policy Hunt: A Live Demo
How do we find these important documents?
Key places to look:
- Official institution/company websites
- Student/Employee Handbooks
- "About Us" or "HR" sections
- Search bars are your best friend!
(Teacher will demonstrate searching for a policy)
Walk through a live demonstration using a projector. Show students how to navigate a university website or a company HR portal (if applicable) to find a specific policy. Highlight using search bars, FAQs, student handbooks, or employee manuals.
Your Mission: Policy Scavenger Hunt!
In your groups, use the Scavenger Hunt Quick Links to find:
- Two official policies/procedures.
- One support office or benefit related to your chosen setting.
Summarize each policy in ONE sentence on your Policy Lookup Sheet. Note the support office/benefit too!
Explain the scavenger hunt activity. Make sure students understand they need to find two policies and one support office/benefit. Emphasize summarizing in one sentence.
Share Your Discoveries
- Share one surprising or important policy you found with your table group.
- Discussion Question: Why is it helpful to know about these policies before you actually need them?
Provide instructions for the group share and facilitate a brief discussion. Encourage students to think about the 'why' behind knowing policies beforehand.
Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words
Choose one policy you found today. On your Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words, paraphrase it in plain language, as if you were explaining it to a friend.
This shows you truly understand it!
Introduce the exit ticket and explain its purpose: to ensure students can articulate a policy in their own words.
Worksheet
Policy Lookup Sheet
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Chosen Setting (e.g., college, workplace, vocational school): _________________________
---
Policy 1: Title and Summary
Policy/Procedure Title:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Where did you find this policy? (Website/Handbook Name & Section):
__________________________________________________________________________________
One-Sentence Summary of Policy:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Policy 2: Title and Summary
Policy/Procedure Title:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Where did you find this policy? (Website/Handbook Name & Section):
__________________________________________________________________________________
One-Sentence Summary of Policy:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Support Office or Benefit
Name of Support Office or Benefit:
__________________________________________________________________________________
What does this office/benefit provide?
__________________________________________________________________________________
Activity
Scavenger Hunt Quick Links: Policy Power
Your challenge is to find two policies and one support office/benefit from one of the categories below. Use your research skills to navigate the provided general links or search for a specific institution/company you are interested in. Remember to use official websites!
Choose Your Hunting Ground:
Higher Education (College/University)
- Goal: Find policies related to student life, academics, or campus resources.
- Where to Look: Admissions, Student Life, Academic Affairs, Dean of Students, Financial Aid, Career Services, Health Services.
- General Search Terms: "[University Name] student handbook", "[University Name] academic integrity policy", "[University Name] attendance policy", "[University Name] mental health services".
Vocational/Trade School
- Goal: Discover policies on program requirements, attendance, or career support.
- Where to Look: Program Catalog, Student Services, Career Placement, Admissions.
- General Search Terms: "[Trade School Name] student code of conduct", "[Trade School Name] graduation requirements", "[Trade School Name] job placement assistance".
Workplace (Entry-Level Job Example)
- Goal: Identify policies relevant to employees, such as scheduling, conduct, or benefits.
- Where to Look: HR (Human Resources) section, Employee Handbook, Company "About Us" or "Careers" pages.
- General Search Terms: "[Company Name] employee handbook", "[Company Name] attendance policy", ""[Company Name] dress code", "[Company Name] employee benefits".
Tips for Your Hunt:
- Look for official institution/company websites (.edu, .gov, or official company domains).
- Use the search bar on the website!
- Think about what you would want to know if you were applying or starting there.
Reading
Sample Policy Snippets: What Do They Look Like?
Sometimes, finding policies can be tricky. Here are some examples of what policies and procedures look like, and how they might be worded. Use these as a guide when you're doing your own policy hunt!
Example 1: University Attendance Policy
Academic Affairs Policy 3.01: Course Attendance and Participation
Purpose: To establish clear guidelines for student attendance in courses and its impact on academic performance.
Policy Statement: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. Instructors will specify their individual course attendance requirements and grading policies in the course syllabus. Students are responsible for all material covered in classes, regardless of attendance. Absences due to documented illness, family emergencies, or official university activities may be excused with proper notification and documentation submitted to the instructor within 48 hours of the missed class. Make-up work for excused absences is at the discretion of the instructor, but reasonable accommodations will be made. Excessive unexcused absences may result in a lower grade or course failure.
Support/Benefit: Students can contact the Dean of Students office for assistance with extended absences or to understand their rights regarding excused absences.
Example 2: Workplace Call-Out Procedure
Employee Handbook Section 4.2: Reporting Absences
Objective: To ensure proper notification and coverage when an employee is unable to report to work.
Procedure: In the event an employee is unable to report for a scheduled shift, they must notify their direct supervisor at least two (2) hours prior to the start of their shift. Notification must be made via a phone call directly to the supervisor (voicemails, texts, or emails are not considered official notification unless otherwise approved). Failure to follow this procedure may result in an unexcused absence and disciplinary action.
Support/Benefit: Employees with long-term illness or injury may be eligible for short-term disability benefits, details of which can be found by contacting the HR Department.
Example 3: Academic Honesty Policy (Snippet)
Student Code of Conduct - Article III: Academic Integrity
Definition: Academic honesty is a commitment to the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in all academic pursuits. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, and fabrication.
Consequences: Any student found responsible for an academic integrity violation will face disciplinary action, which may include a failing grade on the assignment, course failure, suspension, or expulsion from the institution.
Support/Benefit: The Writing Center offers resources and workshops on proper citation and avoiding plagiarism to help students maintain academic integrity.
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Policy In My Words
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
---
Instructions: Choose one policy or procedure you learned about or found today. In the space below, paraphrase it in your own words, as if you were explaining it to a friend or family member. This shows you truly understand its meaning and importance!
The policy I chose: ___________________________________________________________
My explanation of the policy (in my own words):
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Why is it helpful to know this policy before you need it?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________