I started by asking them several questions:
I ended my questioning with:
- Who has ever been on a college campus?
- How many of them have researched a career that requires some sort of training or college?
- Can everyone attend college? (Many "No" answers were given.)
The answers they gave me included:
- What are some reasons you think people don't go to college?
- people can't afford it
- maybe they aren't smart enough
- they have disabilities
- they don't want to
I then talked to them about how college can be affordable. Even Cornell University (which is in our backyard) has a program where if your parents make under a certain amount, has a no loan program. This makes it truly affordable for everyone.
We also crossed off the list "not smart enough". Community colleges will accept everyone from the counties they serve. You may not be able to get into a particular major right away, but you can take the classes that will help you to get there.
"Disabilities". Some colleges have special programs for students with even significant disabilities. Maybe students won't earn a degree, but they will learn independent living skills and job training skills to help them find a job.
"Don't want to". Really this is the only reason for people not to attend college. My hope for them, however, is that they want to, and will help them get there.
From there we played College Prep BINGO.
I also had them fill out the I Have A Plan worksheet, which I have hanging in the hallway outside my office.
Just before it was time to leave I talked to them about this month's College Spotlight (Marist College)
and I asked them to write on a post it note one thing that they learned with me today. I had them post it on an easel located by the classroom door.
These are my favorite responses:
You can go to college even if you don't have enough $.
College is Complicated
College isn't a dream, it's a plan.
That it is never too early to think about college.
How do you promote early college awareness? Leave a comment below or join in the conversation:
Hi Carol! I love this lesson! I am a middle school counselor and would love to do this with my 7th and 8th graders. Would you be willing to send me a copy of your "College Prep Bingo" board and the "I Have a Plan" worksheet? My email is: bstibitz@bcpsk12.net
ReplyDeleteI would greatly appreciate it!!
I would love this information, as well. eamiller@gaston.k12.nc.us
ReplyDeleteHey Carol!! I also love this lesson and would love a copy of it in its entirety. The template for college prep bingo and the I have a plan worksheet would be greatly appreciated. I appreciated you sharing your ideas. My email: bboulden@k12.wv.us
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteI would really appreciate it if you would send me the bingo board and "I have a plan" worksheet. Thanks. My email is jantrey.meyer@egsd.org.
I would also love to use this in my FACS class! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCould i get a copy of the plan sheet and the college spotlight sheet please, strack.katrina@avcsk12.org
ReplyDeleteLove the I Have a Plan and College Prep Bingo! I work in an AVID elementary school. Any chance you would be willing to share the templates for these? My email is mdavidson@woodburysch,com Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan you please send me the handouts as well :) lindsey.redmann@isd15.org
ReplyDeleteHey Carol! This looks great and it's something that I would like to try with my 7th grade students. If you don't mind, can you please send me a copy of this lesson plan? My email is: holderr@arps.org.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
Hi Carol! I am currently working on my Masters degree for school counseling and would love to have a copy of this lesson plan to use for one of my videotaping sessions with middle school students. My email address is: leahflynn.1001@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Leah
can you please send me the instructions on how to do the college prep bingo?
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
jhopkins@lclark.edu
I would love to have the college bingo and college spotlight pages. dawn.anzualda@stjohns.k12.fl.us
ReplyDeleteHi, I would love to have the college bingo and any other worksheets that you may have so that I can do a lesson with my students and your ideas will make learning fun. My email is lakeesha.williams@polk-fl.net. What are some of your prizes that you gave to students?
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, what a wonderful lesson! I am working on my internship at a College Prep Middle School and would love to use these worksheets with my students. When you have an opportunity could you send them to me at ldewhirst@mycpms.net. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteLisa Dewhirst
PPS Intern
I would love these templates too and anything else you have on making college prep fun. My email is mfernandez28@pasadena.edu
ReplyDeleteI would love these templates too and anything else you have on making college prep fun. My email is mfernandez28@pasadena.edu
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love these templates!! I would greatly appreciate if you would send me the templates? My email is victoria.swanstrom@ottumwaschools.com
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have had many requests for the templates. I would love any of them that make college prep fun! Thank you for sharing your creative activities. Please send to: jrupp7779@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLove the idea and handouts. Would you kind enough to e-mail to me at juanita.perez1214@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe just had a College Night at the elementary, and I did not thing it was too successful as expected. These handouts gave me some ideas.
Please e-mail.
Thank you!
Juanita
Love the idea and handouts. Would you be kind enough to e-mail to me at juanita.perez1214@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWe just had a College Night at the elementary, and I do not think it was too successful as expected. These handouts gave me some ideas.
Please e-mail.
Thank you!
I just saw this on Pinterest and I was wondering if you would be willing to send me the handouts. I teach Exploring Careers in 8th grade and this is so perfect! westsayes@yahoo.com. Thank yo in advance.
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate student and would love the templates of this lesson if at all possible! thank you!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
barbara.jefferson@gmail.com
Hi could you email all the materials for this lesson to a.jardine86@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Hi, could I also get a copy of these materials and the BINGO instructions as well? Thank you so much! These are great ideas :)
ReplyDeletecindypham2@gmail.com.com
I love your lesson and your handouts! What a wonderful idea! Could you please e-mail them to me at mistylynn.vandam@gmail.com?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love this lesson. Could you please email me the materials and instructions, or tell me where I can download them? Thank you so much.
ReplyDeletewendyppp@yahoo.com
Hi, I love this lesson. Could you please email me the materials and instructions, or tell me where I can download them? Thank you so much.
ReplyDeletewendyppp@yahoo.com
Hello, great lesson! Would you please email the documents to mrsrenwill@gmail.com?
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! Please email documents to rpettitt@nwlsd.org
ReplyDeletePlease email documents to crystal7_us@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Crystal
Hi! Such a great ideal to get our students thinking about college! Will you be able to send me a copy of the materials and instructions to adlansang@gdoe.net
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hi! I would like to use your college awareness packet and instructions. Can you send it to smcgirt04@gmail.com. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove the lesson! Can you please send the lesson and instructions to rmcdowell@aacps.org. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAre these materials available? They are great! I would love a copy if you could send them to sarah_gosdin@allenisd.org. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great resource! Can I have a copy? shenise.tett@springscs.org
ReplyDelete