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Your First Resume: AVID Advantage

Lesson Plan

Your First Resume: AVID Advantage

Students will learn the essential components of a resume and begin drafting their own, highlighting their unique skills and experiences for academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Understanding how to present your skills and experiences effectively is a vital life skill. A well-crafted resume can open doors to high school leadership roles, volunteer positions, internships, and scholarships, laying a strong foundation for college and career readiness as AVID students.

Audience

8th Grade AVID Students

Time

35 Minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, and collaborative drafting.

Materials

Slide Deck: AVID Resume Ready Slides, Script: AVID Resume Ready Script, Worksheet: My AVID Resume Builder, and Rubric: AVID Resume Rubric

Prep

Review Materials

10 Minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Why a Resume?

5 Minutes

  • Begin by displaying the first slide: 'Why a Resume?'.
  • Ask students: “Why do you think it’s important to have a resume, even in 8th grade? What kinds of things might you use it for?”
  • Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts and experiences.
  • Transition to explaining that today's lesson will introduce them to creating their first resume.

Step 2

Introduction to Resumes & Key Sections

10 Minutes

  • Use the AVID Resume Ready Slides to guide students through the definition of a resume and its core sections (Contact Information, Objective/Summary, Education, Experience, Skills, AVID Elective/Achievements).
  • Refer to the AVID Resume Ready Script for specific talking points and questions.
  • Emphasize the importance of clear, concise language and quantifiable achievements, especially for AVID students highlighting their WICOR strategies and leadership roles.

Step 3

Guided Drafting: My AVID Resume Builder

15 Minutes

  • Distribute the My AVID Resume Builder worksheet.
  • Instruct students to begin filling in each section, prompting them to think about their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and skills gained through AVID and other experiences.
  • Circulate around the room, offering guidance and answering questions. Encourage peer-to-peer sharing and feedback within small groups.
  • Highlight examples of strong action verbs and how to frame experiences effectively (e.g., “Led a team project” vs. “Did group work”).

Step 4

Cool-Down & Next Steps

5 Minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Ask students to share one thing they learned or one section they found challenging/interesting while working on their resume.
  • Explain that this is a living document and they will continue to refine it.
  • Introduce the AVID Resume Rubric and briefly explain how their resumes will be assessed, emphasizing the AVID-specific criteria.
  • Assign finishing the initial draft of the My AVID Resume Builder as homework, if not completed in class.
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Slide Deck

Your First Resume: The AVID Advantage!

Building Your Future, One Step at a Time

What we'll cover today:

  • Why a resume matters
  • The essential parts of a resume
  • How to make your AVID experience shine!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of resumes. Ask them to think about why a resume might be important for them, even in 8th grade. Connect it to future opportunities like high school clubs, volunteering, or even part-time jobs down the line.

Why a Resume? Your Future Starts Now!

  • Showcase Your Talents: Highlight your unique skills and achievements.
  • Open Doors: Apply for high school clubs, volunteer positions, or even summer programs.
  • Scholarships & Awards: Be prepared for future opportunities.
  • Personal Branding: Start thinking about your accomplishments and goals.
  • AVID Connection: Practice WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) by clearly communicating your strengths!

Prompt students with the question: 'Why do you think it’s important to have a resume, even in 8th grade? What kinds of things might you use it for?' Facilitate a brief discussion. Guide them to think about high school applications, volunteering, club leadership, etc.

What IS a Resume?

  • A formal document that summarizes your education, skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
  • It's like your personal marketing brochure!
  • Think of it as a snapshot of who you are and what you can do.

Define what a resume is in simple terms. Emphasize that it's a living document that grows with them.

Key Resume Sections to Know

  • Contact Information
  • Objective or Summary
  • Education
  • Experience (Volunteer, School Clubs, etc.)
  • Skills
  • AVID Elective/Achievements

Provide an overview of the main sections they'll be focusing on. Explain that not every resume will have all these sections, especially their first one, but it's good to know what's possible.

1. Contact Information

  • Your Full Name (Large and clear)
  • Phone Number (One reliable number)
  • Professional Email Address (No silly nicknames!)
  • City, State (No need for full street address for most early resumes)

Example:
Jane Doe
(555) 123-4567 | jane.doe@email.com | Anytown, CA

Explain what to include in the contact information. Stress the importance of professional email addresses.

2. Objective or Summary

Objective Statement: What you hope to achieve.

  • Example: To gain experience in community service through a volunteer role at [Organization Name].

Summary Statement: Highlights your key skills and qualifications.

  • Example: Enthusiastic 8th-grade AVID student with strong organizational skills and a passion for learning, seeking opportunities to apply WICOR strategies in real-world settings.

Explain the difference between an Objective (what you want) and a Summary (what you offer). For 8th graders, an Objective is usually more appropriate.

3. Education

  • School Name: [Your Middle School Name]
  • City, State: [Your City, State]
  • Expected Graduation Date (High School): [Month, Year]
  • AVID Program: Mention your participation in AVID!

Example:
[Your Middle School Name], Anytown, CA
AVID Student, Expected High School Graduation: June 2028

Detail what to include in the education section. Emphasize their current school and expected graduation year.

4. Experience & Activities

  • Think broadly! This isn't just paid jobs.
  • School Clubs: Drama, Robotics, Student Council, Yearbook
  • Sports Teams: Any school or community sports
  • Volunteer Work: Helping out at events, food drives, animal shelters
  • AVID Elective Activities: Field trips, community service, WICOR projects

Use Action Verbs! Led, Organized, Created, Assisted, Managed, Tutored, Collaborated

Guide students on how to brainstorm and list their experiences, even if they aren't 'paid jobs'. Focus on action verbs and responsibilities.

5. Skills

  • Technical Skills: Computer programs (Google Docs, Slides), typing speed, coding (if applicable).
  • Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, organization, time management.
  • AVID Skills: Note-taking (Cornell Notes), public speaking, critical thinking, goal setting, research.

Example:

  • Computer Skills: Google Suite (Docs, Slides), Microsoft Word
  • Soft Skills: Collaborative, Organized, Strong Communication, Problem-Solver
  • AVID Skills: Cornell Note-Taking, Socratic Seminar Participation, Time Management

Help students identify both hard and soft skills. Connect to AVID by asking what skills AVID helps them develop.

6. AVID Elective & Achievements

  • This is where you shine as an AVID student!
  • WICOR Strategies: How have you used Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading?
  • Leadership Roles: AVID Club, peer tutoring, group leader in projects.
  • Academic Growth: Improved grades, specific projects, research skills.
  • College & Career Readiness: Field trips, guest speakers, portfolio building.

Example:

  • Actively participated in weekly Socratic Seminars, developing critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Utilized Cornell Notes to organize information, resulting in improved understanding of complex topics.
  • Collaborated effectively in group projects, contributing to successful team outcomes.

This is a crucial AVID-specific slide. Encourage them to think deeply about how AVID has impacted them.

Time to Build Your Resume!

Now it's YOUR turn!

Use the My AVID Resume Builder worksheet to start drafting your very own resume.

  • Think about all your accomplishments, big and small.
  • Don't worry about perfection – this is a draft!
  • Ask questions!

Introduce the worksheet and explain that they will now start drafting their own resume. Circulate and provide support.

Reflect & Next Steps

  • Resumes are powerful tools for your future.
  • Keep it updated as you gain new experiences.
  • Your AVID journey provides valuable material!

Homework: Complete the initial draft of your resume using the My AVID Resume Builder worksheet.

Assessment: Your resume draft will be evaluated using the AVID Resume Rubric.

Summarize the key takeaway and introduce the rubric. Assign homework if necessary.

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