4th Grade Career Lesson

Directions:

1.            Log on your computer

2.           Go to :  http://vacareerview.org 

3.           Click on:  kid search (blue box at bottom of screen that says:  “new ways to use kid search)

4.           Choose one of the first 3 search methods (do not choose “clusters”)

5.           Read the choices and choose the ones that interest you.  Then click the NEXT arrow.

6.           You will see a list of careers.  Choose 1 career to research.

7.           Read the information on the screen and fill out the attached worksheet.

Career Research Worksheet

Career Research Worksheet

Name:_____________  Career:_______________

Description:  describe your career.
Duties: describe the job duties and responsibilities. What do people in this job do? What is a typical day like?
Where and When:  Where will you be spending your day (inside, outside, office, hospital, etc…)?  How many hours will you work?  Will you work during the day or at night?
What type of education or training is required? This can be found by clicking on the “fast facts” tab.
What school subjects might you need to be good in to be successful in this job? (fast facts tab).

When you are done:  
You can play CareerTown

-Click on the “k-5 tab”

-click on the careertown “play it” picture

-play level 2 games

If you finish all of level 2, play level 3 games

Coping Strategies-Soda Pop Head

 

Another great book for teaching coping skills is  Soda Pop Head, by Julia Cook.  The story is about a boy named Lester, who is called "Soda Pop Head" because he blows his top when he gets upset.  Lester's dad teaches him some calming down techniques and Lester is able to manage his feelings. Once we read the story we create a T-Chart and list coping strategies.  We list negative coping strategies as well as the positive ones and then talk about the consequences of each choice.  Here are a few of the strategies my last group came up with:

My favorite coping strategy from the story is the "Push, Pull, Dangle".

You can also purchase the activity book here:  Activity and Idea Book.

Connections:  Third Grade Bookworm Freebie, Counseling Hearts, YouTube Video...soda explosion,teachers pay teachers, teachers pay teachers, teachers pay teachers 

Social Skills-Volume Control

Decibella and Her 6-Inch Voice

From the author's website:  Isabella is a spirited girl who enjoys shouting out her thoughts, ideas, and feelings.  In fact, she loves using her loud voice so much; it's earned her the nickname "Decibella!"  

This book is just so fun!  I am working with a few students who struggle with understanding the difference between their indoor voice and outdoor voice.  This book explains five different volumes as well as when they are appropriate.   I also love that the author gives an example of a silly word to practice with.  I have students use "Slurpadoodle" and practice saying it in their whisper voice, 6-inch voice, table talk voice, strong speaker voice and outside voice.

I also created a worksheet:

I have students list the places/situations that each voice should be used in.

Finally, we did a little craftivity to go along with the story:

We glued the worksheet on the back and these were sent home:)

Connections:  Voice Levels Poster, Book Companion, Volume Control Thermometer, Control-o-Meter, Voice Volume Tool, social skills central

Telling the Truth

A  book that I used to teach trustworthiness and honesty is Eli's Lie-O-Meter.  This book teaches that lies have consequences not just for the liar, but for those around them as well. 

After reading the story we make a list of each lie that was told in the story.  We then talk about honest strategies that could have been used.  I make each student a "truth ticket" like the one in the story as a reminder to tell the truth.

Front of ticket:

Back of Ticket (fill in name):

Activity:  

I use Jenga blocks for this activity.  I actually have two sets of Jenga blocks in my office an I use them ALL THE TIME!  Start with one block and tell the student(s) that the block represents a lie.  Then talk about how you will have to tell another lie to cover up the first lie.  See how many "lies" you can stack up until it all comes crashing down.  Have a discussion about consequences and lying.  Eventually all of the lies get to be too big to handle.

Connections:  Wall Of Trust;  bookmarks and classroom activities;  Lying up a Storm;  Edward Fibbed Big

The Grouchies-Positive Thinking

This is a great book for all ages.  I have used it with kindergarten students and I have used it with fifth graders.  The message is simple:  Negative thoughts can get in the way of having a good day.

Descriptions of book from the cover:  What can you do when the grouchies take hold?  How can you keep a bad mood at bay?  With funny rhymes and a silly chant, The Grouchies shows kids simple and fun ways to turn around grouchy moods.  But most of all, kids will understand how their mood and negativity can affect their family and frineds, and really get in the way of having a good day.

An extensive Note to Parents further explains the child’s expreience and provides parents with easy-to-apply tips and tools for helping their kids when a grumpy day comes along.

Discussion: 

What happened that made the boy feel grouchy?

What did he keep repeating in his head?

Is this an example of negative thinking or positive thinking?

Did this thought make him feel better or worse?  How can you tell?

How did his friends and family feel?

How can you keep the grouchies away?

Activity:  Use black construction paper to cut out a cloud.  I used a marker to write the grouchie’s saying on the back.  Hand out several yellow smiley faces to each student.  Prompt students to write a positive thought on each smiley face and to then use those smiley faces to cover up (beat) the grouchies.   

I have students write a few of their own positive thoughts and then we write a positive thought to replace each negative thought from story: 

Examples:

"I hate oatmeal" is replaced by "my mom must care about me since she is making me breakfast"           

"My sister is having a party without me" is replaced by "maybe my sister will let me play with her"           

"My sister took my bear without asking" is replaced with "I have more toys that I can play with"               

"This puzzle is impossible" can be replaced with "I can do this if I really try"

"I don’t want to dry the dishes" can be replaced with "I get to spend time with my dad while we do the dishes"