I'm Not Messing Around! I'm College Bound!

Objective: SWBAT:
1. Describe the differences between a college and university.
2. Describe how to choose a "good fit" college/university.

Motivation: Ask students to describe their educational route thus far. How did you get to fourth grade? What do you have to do to get to fifth grade? What is a goal? Is it your goal to go to fifth grade? What are your goals after completing twelfth grade? What is college?

Begin a KWL chart about college. Note what students know about college and what they ant to know about college.

Mini-Lesson: Ask students to name two colleges in the area. On the whiteboard, navigate to school websites. Read info about the two schools. Together complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two schools.

Explain to students that people choose colleges and universities based on three main reasons:
1. Degree program
2. Location
3. Cost
Teacher models how to choose a good fit school based on his/her own experience.

Guided Practice: Have students model for teacher using example.

Independent Practice:
1. Divide students into groups of two.
2. Assign each group two schools to research based on the assigned career goal.
3. Distribute the College/University worksheets.
4. Have students use a search engine to look up the schools they were assigned.
5. Have students choose the school that matches their desired degree program, location and cost.

Closure:
1. What factors does one usually consider when choosing a college? Why?
2. Discuss other factors that might be considered when choosing a college.
3. What factors do you think will be most important to you when you are ready to choose a college?

Complete What I Learned column of KWL chart.