Post by guest blogger: Sarah Angell Pond, Guidance Counselor
After our
successful Career Day, we have continued to explore career ideas in classroom
guidance lessons. Kindergarten and grade
1 learned about Community Helpers and the tools they use. Students were excited to have a turn picking
a tool out of the career tool bag and matching it to the community helper who
uses that tool in their job. There were
lots of smiles as a tape measure, a rolling pin, or a stuffed kitten was pulled
out of the career tool bag! Students
made connections with what family members do and also their own experiences
with community helpers in Merrimac. We
discussed what each Helper might like about their job and what skills they
might need.
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| Career Board used in Guidance Lessons |
Grades 1 and
2 read the book “How Santa Got His Job” by Stephen Krensky. Students were very interested in hearing this
“behind the scenes” story of Santa’s journey through several jobs before
starting his career of delivering toys to children. Did you know Santa was a chimney sweep and a
cook at an all-night diner? In this
story we explored how interests and skills can help you learn what kind of job
or career you might like. Santa learned
he was good at being neat and that he liked staying up late! Children explored the “job” they have now as
students as well as responsibilities they have at home (even if they don’t
receive a paycheck for doing chores!).
Students understood that Santa’s career journey started long before he
found the job he is known for today.
Just like Santa did, students are already learning about themselves and
gathering experiences and knowledge that will help to shape their future career
choices.