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The Daily Grind

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Lesson Plan

A Day in the Life Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify daily routines and responsibilities of at least three different professions and articulate how these roles contribute to society.

This lesson is important for demystifying career expectations and fostering practical insights into various jobs, helping students make informed decisions about their future.

Audience

7th Grade Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and hands-on role-playing to explore diverse careers.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, What Does a [Career] Really Do? Slide Deck, Markers or pens, and Career Role Play Scenarios Activity

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Dream Job?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?"
  • Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting common themes or interesting career choices.
  • Introduce the lesson title, "The Daily Grind: Exploring a Day in the Life of Different Careers."

Step 2

Career Exploration: The Reality Check

15 minutes

  • Present the What Does a [Career] Really Do? Slide Deck.
  • Go through slides discussing various professions, focusing on their daily routines, responsibilities, and challenges.
  • Encourage student participation by asking questions like: "What surprised you about this job?" or "What skills do you think are most important for this role?"

Step 3

Activity: Career Role Play Scenarios

20 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
  • Distribute or display the Career Role Play Scenarios Activity.
  • Instruct each group to choose one scenario and act out a short skit (2-3 minutes) demonstrating a typical daily interaction or task for that profession.
  • Circulate among groups, providing guidance and answering questions.

Step 4

Group Presentations and Debrief

10 minutes

  • Have each group present their role-play scenario to the class.
  • After each presentation, lead a brief discussion on what was observed: "What did this role play show us about the job?" "How did the group demonstrate the responsibilities?"
  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of understanding the 'daily grind' of a job before pursuing it, and how this knowledge helps in making informed decisions.
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Slide Deck

The Daily Grind: Beyond the Job Title

What do people REALLY do all day?
Why is it important to know?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of understanding what jobs are really like day-to-day. Ask them to think about a job they are interested in.

Understanding the "Daily Grind"

Every job has a routine.
Every job has responsibilities.
Every job has challenges.

Let's explore a few!

Introduce the idea that jobs involve more than just a single task. There are routines, responsibilities, and challenges. Ask students what they imagine a doctor does.

Career Focus: Doctor

  • Early mornings, late nights
  • Seeing patients, making diagnoses
  • Paperwork, consultations
  • Continuous learning
  • High pressure, emotional demands

Discuss a doctor's typical day: patient consultations, diagnoses, paperwork, continuing education. Emphasize the long hours and emotional toll. Ask if this matches their initial thoughts.

Career Focus: Software Engineer

  • Team meetings, planning projects
  • Writing and testing code
  • Debugging and problem-solving
  • Collaborating with others
  • Constant learning of new technologies

Discuss a software engineer's typical day: coding, debugging, meetings, problem-solving, collaboration. Highlight the analytical and creative aspects. Ask what skills are needed.

Career Focus: Teacher

  • Lesson planning and preparation
  • Classroom instruction
  • Grading assignments, providing feedback
  • Managing student behavior
  • Communicating with parents and staff

Discuss a teacher's typical day: lesson planning, teaching, grading, classroom management, parent communication. Emphasize the dedication and impact. Ask about the rewards and challenges.

Career Focus: Artist

  • Creating new artwork
  • Experimenting with materials/techniques
  • Promoting work, managing finances
  • Networking with galleries/clients
  • Seeking inspiration, developing skills

Discuss an artist's typical day: creating art, promoting work, managing business aspects, seeking inspiration. Highlight the self-discipline and passion required. Ask about different types of artists.

Why Does This Matter?

Knowing the 'daily grind' helps you:

  • Set realistic expectations
  • Identify necessary skills
  • Find a career that truly fits you

Now, let's try it ourselves!

Explain that understanding these realities helps students decide if a career truly fits them. It's about passion AND practicalities. Introduce the upcoming activity.

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Activity

Career Role Play Scenarios

Objective: Work with your group to choose one of the scenarios below and create a short role-play (2-3 minutes) that demonstrates a typical interaction or task for that profession. Focus on showing the daily responsibilities and challenges of the job.

Instructions:

  1. Read through the scenarios with your group.
  2. Choose one scenario that interests your group.
  3. Assign roles to each group member.
  4. Work together to plan a short skit (2-3 minutes) that brings the scenario to life, highlighting the daily tasks and interactions of the chosen career.
  5. Be prepared to perform your role-play for the class.

Scenario 1: The Busy Chef

Characters: Chef, Server, Customer

Situation: It's lunch rush at a popular restaurant. The chef is trying to get orders out, a server needs to tell them about a special request, and a customer is impatiently waiting for their food.

Focus on: The chef's ability to multitask, handle pressure, and communicate effectively with staff while cooking.






Scenario 2: The Problem-Solving IT Specialist

Characters: IT Specialist, Teacher, Student

Situation: The school's computer lab is experiencing a major network issue right before a big test. The teacher is stressed, and a student can't access their work. The IT specialist arrives to troubleshoot.

Focus on: The IT specialist's diagnostic skills, ability to explain technical issues, and patience under pressure.






Scenario 3: The Dedicated Animal Shelter Worker

Characters: Animal Shelter Worker, Volunteer, Potential Adopter

Situation: A new, shy dog has just arrived at the shelter. An experienced volunteer is helping settle it in, and a family comes in looking to adopt a pet.

Focus on: The shelter worker's compassion, knowledge of animal behavior, and communication skills with both animals and people.






Scenario 4: The Community Garden Manager

Characters: Garden Manager, Community Member 1, Community Member 2

Situation: The community garden is thriving, but there's a disagreement between two community members about how to best care for a shared plot. The garden manager needs to mediate and find a solution.

Focus on: The garden manager's organizational skills, knowledge of gardening, and ability to resolve conflicts and foster cooperation.






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