What’s Next? Thinking What’s Next? Thinking About Life After High About Life After High SchoolSchool

Expository Reading and Expository Reading and WritingWriting

Activity 1: Getting Ready to Read- Activity 1: Getting Ready to Read- An Overview of “What’s Next? Thinking An Overview of “What’s Next? Thinking About Life After High SchoolAbout Life After High School

This module invites you to:This module invites you to: figure out figure out what it is you want to do what it is you want to do

nextnext considerconsider how well prepared you how well prepared you

are for the next stage of your life are for the next stage of your life begin to begin to developdevelop plans for making plans for making

the transition into life after high the transition into life after high schoolschool

Activity 1: How? Activity 1: How?

Look into your past experiencesLook into your past experiences Figure out where you excel and Figure out where you excel and

where you need more preparationwhere you need more preparation Put together a portfolio that will Put together a portfolio that will

represent the work you have done to represent the work you have done to identify, assess, and then express identify, assess, and then express your goals, plans, and readiness for your goals, plans, and readiness for whatever avenue of life you intend to whatever avenue of life you intend to pursue. pursue.

Activity 1: Final Activity 1: Final AssessmentAssessment

Choose one!Choose one! 1. If you believe you are more inclined 1. If you believe you are more inclined

to pursue a career or enter the work to pursue a career or enter the work force, write a “letter of introduction” force, write a “letter of introduction” to the work community or job that you to the work community or job that you wish to pursuewish to pursue

OR 2. If you plan on entering college, OR 2. If you plan on entering college, write a personal essay for a college write a personal essay for a college application.application.

Activity 1: Due at the end Activity 1: Due at the end of the moduleof the module

Your portfolio will include the following items:Your portfolio will include the following items: A collection of shorter writings you develop A collection of shorter writings you develop

to help you generate ideas, think about to help you generate ideas, think about your ideas, and finally make decisions your ideas, and finally make decisions about- or evaluate- the ideas you have. about- or evaluate- the ideas you have.

FAQs in which you provide answers to FAQs in which you provide answers to important questions regarding your important questions regarding your application for a school or career application for a school or career opportunityopportunity

Your letter of introduction OR your personal Your letter of introduction OR your personal application essay for collegeapplication essay for college

Activity 2: Why am I Activity 2: Why am I doing this?doing this?The more language you have to The more language you have to

describe yourself and what you are describe yourself and what you are bringing to the next stage of your bringing to the next stage of your life, the more opportunities you have life, the more opportunities you have to represent yourself accurately. to represent yourself accurately.

So… Take out a piece of paper and So… Take out a piece of paper and label this label this Activity 3Activity 3. Number 1-10. Number 1-10

Look through the list and choose 10 Look through the list and choose 10 words that best fit your sense of self. words that best fit your sense of self. Write them down.Write them down.

Activity 2: Answer the Activity 2: Answer the QuestionsQuestions1.1. If you are going to college, why did If you are going to college, why did

you make this decision, and where you make this decision, and where will you go? will you go?

2.2. What do you want to get from your What do you want to get from your college experience?college experience?

3.3. If you are going into the work world If you are going into the work world or the military, why are you choosing or the military, why are you choosing that option?that option?

4.4. What do you want from working or What do you want from working or entering the military or any other entering the military or any other career you might be considering? career you might be considering?

Activity 3: Introducing Activity 3: Introducing Key ConceptsKey Concepts

The task here is The task here is 1)1) to find words that best match to find words that best match

ideas about who you think you ideas about who you think you are at this stage of your lifeare at this stage of your life

2)2) to begin to unpack these words to begin to unpack these words for the information they provide for the information they provide about your attitudes and about your attitudes and assumptions, skills and abilities, assumptions, skills and abilities, plans and goalsplans and goals

Word ListWord ListAbsent-Absent-mindedminded

Self-awareSelf-aware InarticulateInarticulate Light Light heartedhearted

CuriousCurious

activeactive Self-Self-promoterpromoter

IndispensiblIndispensiblee

Low self Low self esteemesteem

DependableDependable

AdventurousAdventurous Self-reliantSelf-reliant InfluentialInfluential MindfulMindful DeterminedDetermined

analyticalanalytical Self-starterSelf-starter Inquisitive/ Inquisitive/ CuriousCurious

Positive self Positive self esteemesteem

DevotedDevoted

angryangry SelfishSelfish IntellectualIntellectual OptimisticOptimistic DisciplinedDisciplined

appreciativeappreciative SeriousSerious KindKind OrganizedOrganized RespectfulRespectful

artisticartistic Shine at Shine at workwork

Social Social personperson

OutgoingOutgoing ResponsibleResponsible

Book smartBook smart Shy personShy person Street smartStreet smart passionatepassionate EnterprisingEnterprising

TalkativeTalkative PatientPatient LeaderLeader EnthusiasticEnthusiastic ComplicatedComplicated

StressedStressed PersuasivePersuasive ScientificScientific HelpfulHelpful HappyHappy

TrustworthyTrustworthy worrierworrier Goal-setterGoal-setter PessimisticPessimistic MotivatedMotivated

coolcool ProcrastinatProcrastinatoror

FearfulFearful Family Family personperson

valiantvaliant

Activity 3: Word List Activity 3: Word List AdditionsAdditions Now number 11-20. Think of Now number 11-20. Think of

another 10 words of your own another 10 words of your own that describe how you see that describe how you see yourself at this stage of your life. yourself at this stage of your life.

As best you can, rank the list from As best you can, rank the list from most important to least most important to least important. important.

Activity 4: Making Activity 4: Making Predictions and Asking Predictions and Asking QuestionsQuestionsAfter gathering vocabulary, take some time to After gathering vocabulary, take some time to

write about your choices. 5 total questions.write about your choices. 5 total questions.

1.1. Why did you rank them as you did?Why did you rank them as you did?

2.2. What do your words tell you about your What do your words tell you about your opinion of yourself in terms of opinion of yourself in terms of readiness for work, the military, or readiness for work, the military, or college? college?

3.3. What would someone who knows you What would someone who knows you well think of the words you chose? well think of the words you chose?

Activity 4 continuedActivity 4 continued

4. Based on your analysis of your key 4. Based on your analysis of your key concepts, predict what you will concepts, predict what you will need to learn more about to need to learn more about to achieve your goals. achieve your goals.

5. Predict how well your key concepts 5. Predict how well your key concepts will work for you as you move into will work for you as you move into the next stage of your life. I.e.. If the next stage of your life. I.e.. If one of your words is “stubborn,” one of your words is “stubborn,” write about how that concept may write about how that concept may work for you or against you in the work for you or against you in the future. future.

Activity 5: Understanding Activity 5: Understanding Key VocabularyKey Vocabulary

For homework: at lunch or after school or For homework: at lunch or after school or tonight, discuss your chosen words with tonight, discuss your chosen words with someone you trust.someone you trust.

Ask them about the words you have Ask them about the words you have chosen. chosen.

Jot down 3 reactions/the gist of what they Jot down 3 reactions/the gist of what they say and just let them talk. Try not to say and just let them talk. Try not to argue, just listen.argue, just listen.

Bring your 3 reactions in tomorrow to Bring your 3 reactions in tomorrow to share.share.

Activity 6: Surveying Activity 6: Surveying the Textthe TextBefore we read Angel Perez’s article, take a Before we read Angel Perez’s article, take a

little time to preview it by responding to the little time to preview it by responding to the following questions:following questions:

1.1. Look at the title, and make predictions Look at the title, and make predictions about what you think will be Perez’s about what you think will be Perez’s message. message.

2.2. Take a look at the length of the article, and Take a look at the length of the article, and decide if your predictions can be fulfilled in decide if your predictions can be fulfilled in this length of article- 752 words. this length of article- 752 words.

3.3. Skim through the first 2 paragraphs, and Skim through the first 2 paragraphs, and read the final paragraph. Once you have read the final paragraph. Once you have done that, can you add anything to your done that, can you add anything to your predictions about Perez’s message? predictions about Perez’s message?

Activity 7: Reading Activity 7: Reading with the Grainwith the Grain Underline or place a check mark Underline or place a check mark

next to the best advice Perez gives next to the best advice Perez gives about how to represent yourself, about how to represent yourself, believing the advice he gives is good believing the advice he gives is good advice. advice.

Create a dialectical journal by Create a dialectical journal by copying 5 pieces of advice in one copying 5 pieces of advice in one column and writing a reflection column and writing a reflection opposite the sentence in column 2.opposite the sentence in column 2.

Example of Activity 7: Example of Activity 7: Dialectical JournalDialectical JournalAdvice Perez gives about Advice Perez gives about how we represent how we represent ourselves to othersourselves to others

What his comments make What his comments make you think aboutyou think about

11

22

33

44

55

Activity 8: Responding Activity 8: Responding to Perezto Perez

After you have filled out the After you have filled out the dialectical journal, write a one-page dialectical journal, write a one-page description of an event or moment description of an event or moment when you were less than perfect when you were less than perfect and explain to a reader what your and explain to a reader what your response to that moment says response to that moment says about your character, values, or about your character, values, or potential for work or study. potential for work or study.

Activity 9: Getting Ready to Activity 9: Getting Ready to Read andRead andExploring Key ConceptsExploring Key Concepts Take out a sheet of paper, and write Take out a sheet of paper, and write

down three people you feel are down three people you feel are intellectuals. intellectuals.

In groups of 3-4, share your list and In groups of 3-4, share your list and choose three from the combined list choose three from the combined list that all of you can agree are that all of you can agree are intellectuals.intellectuals.

After a class discussion, write down After a class discussion, write down your definition of an intellectual.your definition of an intellectual.

Activity 9 ContinuedActivity 9 Continued

From the following 3 quotes, which one best From the following 3 quotes, which one best matches your definition of an intellectual? matches your definition of an intellectual?

““The demand for certainty is one which is The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice.” – Bertrand Russellintellectual vice.” – Bertrand Russell

““An intellectual is a person who takes An intellectual is a person who takes more words than necessary to tell more more words than necessary to tell more than he knows.” – Dwight D. Eisenhowerthan he knows.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

““An intellectual is someone whose mind An intellectual is someone whose mind watches itself.” – Albert Camuswatches itself.” – Albert Camus

Activity 10: Activity 10: Understanding Key Understanding Key VocabularyVocabularyIn groups, jigsaw the vocabulary for the In groups, jigsaw the vocabulary for the

next article. next article. 1.1. You will make predictions of what you You will make predictions of what you

think your word or phrase means. think your word or phrase means. 2.2. Then go to the actual paragraph and Then go to the actual paragraph and

underline it in your article. underline it in your article. 3.3. Read the word or phrase in context Read the word or phrase in context

and figure out it’s meaning. and figure out it’s meaning. More instructions… More instructions…

Activity 10 continuedActivity 10 continued

4. Then look at the function of the word or 4. Then look at the function of the word or phrase (what it is doing in the section phrase (what it is doing in the section where it is used). See if you can add to where it is used). See if you can add to your understanding of the word or your understanding of the word or phrase. phrase.

5. Finally, if needed, use the dictionary or 5. Finally, if needed, use the dictionary or other resource to finalize your other resource to finalize your understanding. understanding.

6. After you have filled out your group’s 6. After you have filled out your group’s section, be prepared to share it with the section, be prepared to share it with the rest of the class in re-organizedrest of the class in re-organized groups.groups.

Activity 11: Reading for Activity 11: Reading for Understanding- Stop and Understanding- Stop and RespondRespond

As we read the text, have a piece of As we read the text, have a piece of paper ready to write responses. paper ready to write responses.

Whenever we pause, write down at Whenever we pause, write down at least a 2-3 sentence response to least a 2-3 sentence response to what was discussed. It can be what was discussed. It can be questions, observations, comments, questions, observations, comments, ideas, stories, things the text ideas, stories, things the text reminds you of, whatever comes to reminds you of, whatever comes to mind as you read. mind as you read.

Activity 12: Thinking Activity 12: Thinking CriticallyCritically In response to Perez’s and Graff’s In response to Perez’s and Graff’s

essays- as well as key concepts and essays- as well as key concepts and vocabulary- write three separate “idea vocabulary- write three separate “idea chunks” that respond to these thoughts. chunks” that respond to these thoughts.

Each chunk is about 1-3 paragraphs Each chunk is about 1-3 paragraphs long…not an essay! The purpose is to long…not an essay! The purpose is to figure out what you’re thinking. figure out what you’re thinking.

Each chunk captures an idea that draws Each chunk captures an idea that draws connections between what we read and connections between what we read and aspects of your own life experience. aspects of your own life experience.

Activity 13: Activity 13: Summarizing and Summarizing and RespondingResponding

Without really worrying about how well Without really worrying about how well you spell or whether you are making you spell or whether you are making complete sense, write a letter to Ms. complete sense, write a letter to Ms. Garlit about how well you are- or are Garlit about how well you are- or are not- prepared for the next stage of not- prepared for the next stage of your life. In the letter, mention a your life. In the letter, mention a topic that you are interested in that topic that you are interested in that can be examined through an can be examined through an academic lense.academic lense.

Activity 14: Surveying Activity 14: Surveying the Textthe Text What kind of information do you think What kind of information do you think

the article will provide?the article will provide? What value do you think the article will What value do you think the article will

have in relation to your own research have in relation to your own research needs?needs?

What do you think is the purpose of What do you think is the purpose of the article?the article?

Who do you think is the intended Who do you think is the intended audience for the article?audience for the article?

What do you think the writer wants What do you think the writer wants you to do or believe? you to do or believe?

Activity 15: Reading Activity 15: Reading for Understandingfor Understanding Jigsaw Activity! There are 4 different articles. Jigsaw Activity! There are 4 different articles. You will be responsible for 1 of the 4 articlesYou will be responsible for 1 of the 4 articles Read the article you are assigned and Read the article you are assigned and

prepare to report out to the class the prepare to report out to the class the following:following:

1)1) A brief A brief summarysummary of the article’s arguments of the article’s arguments

2)2) Important quotesImportant quotes or information the writer or information the writer providesprovides

3)3) An explanation of what you think is An explanation of what you think is important important about the article. about the article.

Activity 16: Activity 16: Summarizing and Summarizing and RespondingResponding Each group report to the classEach group report to the class Quickwrite: Is it best to go to Quickwrite: Is it best to go to

college or move into work, the college or move into work, the military, etc? military, etc?

Activity 17: Making Activity 17: Making Predictions and Asking Predictions and Asking QuestionsQuestions Read “Web Site Resources” Read “Web Site Resources” Those most interested in a career Those most interested in a career

may have questions like…may have questions like…1)1) How much money will I make as a How much money will I make as a

mechanic?mechanic?2)2) What do I need to know if I want to What do I need to know if I want to

be a baker?be a baker?3)3) What skills are best if I want to be a What skills are best if I want to be a

banker or entrepreneur? banker or entrepreneur?

Activity 18: Considering Activity 18: Considering the Structure of the Web the Structure of the Web SiteSiteMs. G will demonstrate effective searches Ms. G will demonstrate effective searches

on Web sites of interest for career or on Web sites of interest for career or college information. You will be doing college information. You will be doing your own search for your paper, so take your own search for your paper, so take notes on:notes on:

The process of an effective searchThe process of an effective search Staying organizedStaying organized Finding relevant informationFinding relevant information Skills and strategies that support Skills and strategies that support

effective searcheseffective searches

Activity 19: Reading for Activity 19: Reading for Understanding and Understanding and Collecting InformationCollecting Information Review the “FAQ Guide for College or Review the “FAQ Guide for College or

Work,” and select four topics for research!Work,” and select four topics for research!

If you are career-bound, you may choose:If you are career-bound, you may choose:• What kinds of skills or abilities you need to What kinds of skills or abilities you need to

enter your careerenter your career• The outlook for finding workThe outlook for finding work• Common tasks associated for workCommon tasks associated for work• Pay for specific jobsPay for specific jobs

More Activity 19More Activity 19

If you are college-bound, you may look If you are college-bound, you may look into…into…

Deadlines and admission requirementsDeadlines and admission requirements

Financial aid requirements or opportunitiesFinancial aid requirements or opportunities

The process of selecting a major and the The process of selecting a major and the opportunities for particular majorsopportunities for particular majors

Details of life in the town where you would Details of life in the town where you would like to go to collegelike to go to college

Activity 20: Activity 20: Summarizing Research Summarizing Research Findings Findings Create 10 personal FAQ for your portfolioCreate 10 personal FAQ for your portfolio Provide simple answers to these questionsProvide simple answers to these questions You will read each other’s FAQsYou will read each other’s FAQs

Here’s an example:Here’s an example:

When is the deadline for applying for the CSU?When is the deadline for applying for the CSU?

Answer: All CSUs have the same application Answer: All CSUs have the same application deadline for freshman. For the fall term, the deadline for freshman. For the fall term, the application deadline is ________. Go to application deadline is ________. Go to csumentor.edu for the up-to-date csumentor.edu for the up-to-date information.information.

Activity 21: Reflecting Activity 21: Reflecting on Your Research on Your Research FindingsFindings In small groups, share your FAQs. In small groups, share your FAQs. Write down any helpful Write down any helpful

information you find on someone information you find on someone else’s FAQs. else’s FAQs.

Give each other feedback by Give each other feedback by writing any comments you have writing any comments you have on their FAQs.on their FAQs.

Activity 22: Activity 22: Considering the Considering the Writing TaskWriting TaskChoose one of the following tasks:Choose one of the following tasks:

1) If you believe you are more inclined 1) If you believe you are more inclined to pursue a career or enter the work to pursue a career or enter the work force, write a “letter of introduction” force, write a “letter of introduction” to the work community or job you to the work community or job you wish to pursuewish to pursue

2) If you plan on entering college, write 2) If you plan on entering college, write a personal essay for your college a personal essay for your college applicationapplication

Activity 23: Taking a Activity 23: Taking a Stance- Elements of Stance- Elements of Rhetorical FrameworkRhetorical Framework Purpose- what are you trying to do to Purpose- what are you trying to do to

an audience through your writingan audience through your writing Audience- identify the analyzing Audience- identify the analyzing

audience ; determines WHAT is in the audience ; determines WHAT is in the writing and HOW you present itwriting and HOW you present it

Situation- what rules do you need to Situation- what rules do you need to follow or what genre conventionsfollow or what genre conventions

Activity 23 continuedActivity 23 continued

Persona/ Ethos- what ways are Persona/ Ethos- what ways are you representing yourself in your you representing yourself in your writing? Impression? Tone? Word writing? Impression? Tone? Word choice? Level of competence?choice? Level of competence?

Message- controlling idea of the Message- controlling idea of the writing. Must be meaningful and writing. Must be meaningful and self-evident. Apply “so what?” to self-evident. Apply “so what?” to your writing.your writing.