Lesson Plan
Your Story on One Page
Students will be able to draft a basic resume that includes their contact information, education, and at least two experiences or skills.
This lesson is important because it equips students with a fundamental tool for future academic and career pursuits, helping them present themselves professionally.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands-on drafting and peer review.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Resume Workshop Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Resume Template for each student.
- Print copies of the Action Verb List for each student.
- Ensure access to computers/devices if students will be using a digital template or the Resume Builder Game.
Step 1
Welcome & Deconstruct
10 minutes
- Hook: Begin by asking students: "What's the first impression you make when applying for a job or an opportunity?" Lead into the idea of a resume.
- Introduce Objective: Present the lesson objective using the Resume Workshop Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
- Define Resume: Explain what a resume is and why it's important, using examples from the Resume Workshop Slide Deck (Slide 3-4).
- Key Components: Briefly go over the main sections of a resume: Contact Info, Education, Experience/Skills (Slide 5-6).
Step 2
Brainstorm Skills & Experience
10 minutes
- Activity: Distribute the Resume Template and the Action Verb List.
- Brainstorm: Have students brainstorm their own experiences (school clubs, volunteering, babysitting, sports, awards) and skills (teamwork, leadership, problem-solving). Encourage them to think broadly.
- Action Verbs: Guide students to use the Action Verb List to describe their experiences powerfully. Provide examples (e.g., instead of 'did homework,' use 'managed academic responsibilities').
Step 3
Drafting & Formatting
15 minutes
- Guided Drafting: Walk students through filling out the main sections of their resume on the Resume Template:
- Contact Information: Name, phone, email (Slide 7).
- Education: School name, anticipated graduation year (Slide 8).
- Experiences/Skills: Guide them to write at least two bullet points for their brainstormed experiences/skills, utilizing action verbs (Slide 9-10).
- Formatting Tips: Discuss simple formatting rules for readability and professionalism (Slide 11).
Step 4
Peer Review & Revise
10 minutes
- Peer Review: Pair students up. Have them exchange their drafted resumes. Using the criteria discussed, they should provide constructive feedback to their partner (Slide 12).
- Revision: Students will take a few minutes to make immediate revisions based on feedback.
- Wrap-up: Emphasize that this is a living document and will evolve. Introduce the Resume Builder Game as a fun way to practice further. Assign completion of the template as homework if not finished.
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Slide Deck
Your Story on One Page: The Resume Workshop
How do you make a great first impression for an opportunity?
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Ask a rhetorical question to get them thinking about first impressions.
Today's Goal!
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to draft a basic resume that includes your contact information, education, and at least two experiences or skills.
Introduce the learning objective clearly. This helps students understand what they will achieve by the end of the lesson.
What is a Resume?
A resume is a document that summarizes your education, skills, and experiences.
It's like a 'highlight reel' of your best qualities and accomplishments!
Why do we need one?
- Applying for jobs (part-time, summer)
- Volunteering opportunities
- Scholarships or special programs
- Making a great first impression!
Explain what a resume is in simple terms. Emphasize its purpose.
Key Resume Sections
- Contact Information: How to reach you.
- Education: Where you go to school.
- Experience/Skills: What you've done and what you're good at.
- (Later on, you might add things like Objective, Awards, or Projects!)
Discuss the key components that are typically found in a resume.
Brainstorm Your Superpowers!
Think about everything you do, both in and out of school:
- School: Clubs, sports, academic achievements, group projects
- Home: Babysitting, chores, helping family, managing tasks
- Community: Volunteering, helping neighbors, religious groups
- Skills: Teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, creativity, tech skills
Transition to brainstorming. Encourage students to think broadly about their experiences.
Action Verbs: Make Your Resume Shine!
Instead of saying 'I did...', use strong action verbs!
Example:
- Instead of 'I helped with school fundraiser,' try:
- 'Organized a school fundraiser.'
- 'Coordinated volunteers for the school fundraiser.'
- 'Managed ticket sales for the school fundraiser.'
Check out your Action Verb List for ideas!
Introduce the concept of action verbs and why they are important for making a resume strong. Refer to the Action Verb List handout.
Section 1: Contact Information
This is how people get in touch with you!
What to include:
- Your Full Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email Address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com)
(Optional: Link to a professional online portfolio, if you have one)
Guide students through filling in their contact information on the template.
Section 2: Education
Where are you learning and growing?
What to include:
- Name of your school (e.g., Northwood Middle School)
- City, State
- Anticipated Graduation Year (e.g., 'Expected: May 20XX')
Guide students through filling in their education section.
Section 3: Experience & Skills
What have you done? What are you good at?
- List your experiences (volunteer work, club participation, projects, responsibilities at home).
- Use bullet points.
- Start each bullet point with an action verb.
- Describe what you did and what was the result or what you learned.
Start with experiences. Give clear instructions on how to describe them using action verbs.
Experience & Skills: Examples
Example 1 (Volunteer):
- Assisted local animal shelter with daily cleaning and feeding routines, contributing to a healthy environment for over 20 animals.
Example 2 (Club/Sport):
- Collaborated with teammates to plan and execute fundraising events, raising $500 for new uniforms.
Example 3 (Home Responsibility):
- Managed weekly grocery shopping for family of four, including budgeting and meal planning.
Provide more examples for the experience section to help students craft their own bullet points.
Formatting for Success!
- Keep it to one page (especially for now!).
- Use clear, readable fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
- Use bullet points for experiences.
- Proofread! Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Briefly discuss important formatting tips for a clean, readable resume.
Peer Review & Revise
Now, let's get some feedback!
- Swap resumes with a partner.
- Read their resume carefully.
- Give positive feedback first!
- Then, offer constructive suggestions for improvement (e.g., 'Could you use a stronger action verb here?').
- Revise your own resume based on the feedback you receive.
Explain the peer review process. Emphasize constructive feedback.
What's Next for Your Resume?
Your resume is a living document – it will change and grow as you do!
Keep adding new experiences and skills.
Want more practice? Try the Resume Builder Game!
Conclude the lesson, reiterating that resumes are living documents. Encourage continued practice with the game.
Worksheet
Resume Template
Use this template to draft your very first resume! Remember to use strong action verbs and keep it clear and concise.
Contact Information
Full Name:
Phone Number:
Professional Email:
Education
School Name:
City, State:
Anticipated Graduation Year: (e.g., Expected: May 20XX)
Experience & Skills
(Think about school clubs, sports, volunteer work, responsibilities at home, special projects, or any other ways you have gained experience or developed skills. Use the Action Verb List to help you describe them!)
Experience/Skill 1 Title (e.g., Volunteer, Club Member, Babysitter):
Experience/Skill 2 Title (e.g., Student Council Member, Project Lead, Sports Team Captain):
Notes for Yourself (Optional)
(What else might you want to add later? What skills do you want to develop?)
Reading
Action Verb List: Power Up Your Resume!
Using strong action verbs at the beginning of your bullet points makes your accomplishments sound more impactful and professional. Choose verbs that best describe what you did!
Communication & Leadership
- Achieved
- Advised
- Collaborated
- Communicated
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Directed
- Educated
- Guided
- Influenced
- Instructed
- Led
- Mentored
- Motivated
- Negotiated
- Presented
- Promoted
- Represented
- Resolved
- Spoke
- Taught
- Trained
Problem-Solving & Innovation
- Analyzed
- Created
- Designed
- Developed
- Evaluated
- Identified
- Improved
- Innovated
- Investigated
- Modified
- Pioneered
- Proposed
- Researched
- Solved
- Streamlined
- Tested
Organization & Management
- Administered
- Arranged
- Categorized
- Chaired
- Classified
- Controlled
- Executed
- Generated
- Maintained
- Managed
- Monitored
- Operated
- Organized
- Planned
- Prepared
- Processed
- Scheduled
- Standardized
- Supervised
Technical & Data
- Assembled
- Built
- Calculated
- Computed
- Configured
- Constructed
- Customized
- Debugged
- Engineered
- Installed
- Modeled
- Programmed
- Repaired
- Simulated
- Upgraded
Results & Achievement
- Accomplished
- Completed
- Delivered
- Exceeded
- Expanded
- Generated
- Implemented
- Increased
- Launched
- Maximized
- Optimized
- Reduced
- Restored
- Strengthened
- Succeeded
Game
Resume Builder Game: Level Up Your Profile!
Welcome to the Resume Builder Game! Your goal is to create the strongest possible resume by making smart choices. Read each scenario and pick the best option to impress employers and program coordinators!
Scenario 1: Describing Your Volunteer Work
You volunteered at a local animal shelter for a month. How would you best describe this on your resume?
A. I helped out at the animal shelter.
B. Assisted with daily feeding and cleaning routines for shelter animals.
C. Did some work at the animal shelter.
D. I was a volunteer.
Think: Which option uses an action verb and describes what you did clearly?
Scenario 2: Listing Your School Activities
You were part of the school's debate club for two years. How would you phrase this?
A. Joined the debate club.
B. Participated in debate club.
C. Sharpened public speaking and critical thinking skills as a member of the Debate Club for two years.
D. Talked a lot in debate club.
Think: Which option highlights skills gained and is more detailed?
Scenario 3: Contact Information
Which email address is most professional for your resume?
A. cutiepie8thgrader@email.com
B. yourname_awesome@email.com
C. firstname.lastname@email.com
D. myemail@aol.com
Think: Which email looks most serious and appropriate for a professional document?
Scenario 4: Describing a Group Project
In science class, you worked with a team on a presentation about renewable energy. How would you write this for your resume?
A. Did a group project in science.
B. Collaborated with a team to research and present on renewable energy sources.
C. My group presented on energy.
D. Worked with friends on a school project.
Think: Which option uses an action verb and clearly states your role and the topic?
Scenario 5: What NOT to include (for now)
You're an 8th grader. What information is generally not necessary to include on your first resume?
A. Your phone number.
B. Your school name.
C. A detailed list of every chore you do at home (unless it relates to a specific skill like 'budget management').
D. Volunteer experiences.
Think: What kind of information is usually left out of a basic, early resume?