CareerZone Lesson Plan Registry http://www.nycareerzone.org/resources/lessonplans

Using COPS to get into the Zone

Author(s): Gail Arnold and Kathryn Tortorella

Grades: 6 - 8

Subject: Health, Physical Education and Home Economics

Learning Context: 1. Students will use the completed COPS II interest inventory to explore three occupations using CareerZone 2. Students will read directions and Career cluster information on COPS II. 3. They will write information in Section K. 4. Students will read information from CareerZone to further understand occupational areas. 5. Using CareerZone will enable students to explore career options and relate personal skills, aptitudes and abilities to future career decisions. 6. The entire activity requires students to access information and transfer it from COPS II to CareerZone. 7. Students will continue to expand reading, writing skills and understand the value of an education. 8. Students need to know how to read, write and how to use the computer and what interests them. The learning standards used are ELA #1, CDOS #1, and MST #2.

Procedure: The teacher/counselor introduces the COPS II Inventory. Class #1: Students follow the instructions to complete Sections A-I of the COPS II Inventory. The teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator directs and guides the students while clarifying any confusing terms. Class #2: Students follow the instructions to complete section K (1st half except Part C) of the COPS II Inventory. The teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator supports the students in their activity. They also introduce the students to CareerZone, O*NET and specifies specific information for students to locate. Class #3: Students use CareerZone and O*NET to locate information about careers of interest. Students print career information and identify specific details as suggested by the teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator. The teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator supports the student in their research.

Instructional/Environmental Modifications: 1. A photocopy of the back page (Section K) is recommended for each student to record their information. The input of the COPS material makes it difficult to complete section K as it is. 2. Copies of the Dictionary of Occupational Terms by Nancy Shields makes the completion of Section K Part B easier.

Materials and Supplies: 1. COPS II by Robert and Lila Knapp 2. Computers with printers, access to CareerZone and O*NET 3. Pens/Pencils, paper, and the Dictionary of Occupational Terms by Nancy Shields

Time Required: This lesson takes three 40 minute classes. Class #1: Students complete Sections A-I on COPS II Inventory. Class #2: Students complete 1st half of Section K on COPS II Inventory (except Part C). Students complete Part C of Section K on COPS II Inventory using CareerZone and O*NET.

Assessment Tools and Techniques: Class #1: Students share results of Sections A-I with teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator at end of class period. Teacher/counselor/work experience coordinator assists students in selecting top three clusters. Students return COPS II Inventory to teacher with 1st half of section K completed. No Inventories will be accepted unless they are completed. Students will submit the computer print out of the three career areas they have researched using CareerZone and O*NET.

Reflections: This activity introduces students to the career information available on CareerZone and O*NET. Students can further explore careers using these resources on their own. When asked to research careers for required projects in English class, students will be familiar with CareerZone and O*NET resources and may well utilize them. The field of career education continues to be information driven. CareerZone and O*NET provide access to current career information.