Capstone Unit
15 Days - Teacher Choice
15 Days - Teacher Choice
Objective: Assess the students skills for Pathways Of Success
Ethical Decision Making: Make informed choices that align with personal values.
Career Planning: Utilize thoughtful career plans and/or apply professional skills in planning.
Financial Literacy: Use effective money management strategies.
Management Skills: Demonstrate the ability to manage financial responsibilities and financial decisions.
Critical Thinking: Apply problem-solving skills to a real-life situation.
This capstone project for the Pathways to Success course allows teachers to choose real-life scenarios for students to explore.Â
Potential Units Found Below:
My Future Apartment: Planning For Independence
Life Plan Portfolio
Celebrating Together, Planning A Special Event.
Planning a School Event, Celebration For All
Future You "Creating Your Vision Board"
Community Service Project "Making a Difference"
Students will create a simplified "Future Plan" focused on selecting an apartment and budgeting for it, including essential household items. They will present their plan at a "Future Fair."
Week 1: Exploring Options
Objective: Understand the basics of living independently and apartment selection.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to the project. Discuss what it means to live independently and why budgeting is important.
Day 2: Interest Inventory: Students complete a simple survey to identify interests related to careers and living independently.
Day 3: Research Apartments: Students look at a few sample apartment listings online or provided by the teacher. Discuss what to consider (cost, size, location).
Day 4: Discuss Needs vs. Wants: Talk about what is essential in an apartment and what can be considered a luxury (e.g., furniture, kitchen supplies).
Day 5: Choose an Apartment: Each student selects an apartment from the examples provided and notes the rent and basic details.
Week 2: Budgeting Basics
Objective: Learn to create a simple budget for apartment living.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to Budgeting: Discuss income and expenses in simple terms. Introduce a basic budget template.
Day 2: Income Simulation: Give each student a hypothetical monthly income based on a typical starting salary for a chosen career.
Day 3: List Household Items: Students create a list of 5-10 essential items they would need for their apartment (e.g., bed, kitchen utensils) and estimate costs.
Day 4: Create a Budget: Using their income, students will fill in their budget with rent and the costs of household items.
Day 5: Discuss Financial Responsibility: Talk about the importance of saving money and making informed financial choices.
Week 3: Finalizing and Presenting
Objective: Prepare and present their Future Plan.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Portfolio Workday: Students start compiling their Future Plan, including the apartment details, budget, and household items.
Day 2: Presentation Skills: Teach students how to present their plans effectively (eye contact, speaking clearly).
Day 3: Practice Presentations: Students practice sharing their plans with a partner or small group.
Day 4: Future Fair Preparation: Finalize portfolios and create simple visual aids (posters or slides) for their presentations.
Day 5: Future Fair: Host a showcase where students present their plans to classmates, parents, and community members. Encourage questions and discussions.
Future Plan Portfolio: Assess based on clarity, creativity, and completeness of the apartment and budget information.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric for clarity and engagement during their presentation.
Access to computers/tablets for research (or printed apartment listings)
Basic budget templates
Art supplies for visual aids
Project Overview:
Students will create a "Life Plan Portfolio" that reflects their understanding of personal values, career pathways, financial literacy, and essential life skills. This project culminates in a presentation where students discuss their learning and future planning.
Week 1: Exploring Ethics & Career Pathways
Objective: Reflect on personal values and explore career paths aligned with interests.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to project goals. Discuss the importance of ethics in decision-making.
Day 2: Personal Code of Conduct: Brainstorm values (e.g., honesty, respect) and create a one-page code that applies these values in various life scenarios.
Day 3: Career Pathway Exploration: Research two career options, focusing on job descriptions, responsibilities, required education, and salary.
Day 4: Develop a Career Pathway Profile for each career, selecting one as the ideal choice.
Day 5: Share insights from research and personal values in small groups.
Week 2: Financial Literacy & Budget Planning
Objective: Understand financial concepts and create a realistic monthly budget.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to Budgeting: Discuss income, expenses, and savings. Calculate monthly income based on chosen careers.
Day 2: Identify essential vs. optional expenses and create a basic budget template.
Day 3: Budget Adjustments with Life Events: Introduce "unexpected life event" cards; students adjust their budgets for scenarios like car repairs or medical bills.
Day 4: Finalize the monthly budget, incorporating adjustments for unexpected events.
Day 5: Reflect on budgeting challenges and share strategies in small groups.
Week 3: Life Skills & Critical Thinking
Objective: Develop practical life skills and apply critical thinking to real-life scenarios.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Weekly Schedule & Meal Planning: Create a schedule that balances work and personal life. Design a meal plan emphasizing nutritious meals within a budget.
Day 2: Calculate estimated costs for each meal and finalize the weekly plan.
Day 3: Real-Life Scenarios: Present scenario cards involving ethical or financial decisions.
Day 4: Write responses to scenarios, detailing decision-making processes and considerations.
Day 5: Prepare for final presentations of the Life Plan Portfolio.
At the end of Week 3, students compile all deliverables—Personal Code of Conduct, Career Pathway Profile, Monthly Budget, Weekly Schedule & Meal Plan, and Scenario Responses—into their Life Plan Portfolio. Each student presents their portfolio, discussing their choices and reflecting on their learning journey.
Life Plan Portfolio: Evaluate for clarity, creativity, and completeness of each component.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric to assess clarity and engagement during presentations.
Access to computers/tablets for research
Budget templates
Art supplies for visual aids
Discuss various living situations (e.g., roommates, living with family) to broaden understanding of independence.
Invite guest speakers to share insights on budgeting and life skills.
Duration: 3 Weeks
Project Overview:
Students will plan a culturally sensitive special event, such as a holiday gathering, retirement party, or graduation celebration. This project will help students develop skills in ethical decision-making, budgeting, and critical thinking while celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
Week 1: Event Concept & Ethical Considerations
Objective: Define the event and explore ethical considerations related to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to the project. Discuss the importance of celebrating milestones and the role of cultural sensitivity in event planning.
Day 2: Event Brainstorming: Students brainstorm ideas for their special event. Discuss various cultural traditions and the significance of inclusivity in celebrations.
Day 3: Define Event Purpose: Students write a paragraph explaining the purpose of their event and who it will honor or celebrate.
Day 4: Ethical Decision-Making: Discuss potential ethical dilemmas (e.g., cultural appropriation, dietary restrictions). Students create a list of values to guide their planning.
Day 5: Share event ideas and ethical considerations in small groups, providing feedback on cultural sensitivity.
Week 2: Budgeting & Planning Logistics
Objective: Develop a realistic budget and plan logistical details for the event.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to Budgeting: Teach students about budgeting essentials, including income, expenses, and savings. Discuss funding sources (e.g., ticket sales, donations).
Day 2: Identify essential expenses (venue, food, decorations) and create a preliminary budget.
Day 3: Logistics Planning: Discuss venue options, seating arrangements, and event timelines. Create a checklist of tasks that need to be completed leading up to the event.
Day 4: Budget Adjustments: Introduce “unexpected expenses” cards (e.g., last-minute venue changes). Students must adjust their budgets accordingly.
Day 5: Finalize the budget and logistics plan, ensuring all elements reflect cultural sensitivity.
Week 3: Promotion & Critical Thinking
Objective: Develop promotion strategies and apply critical thinking to event scenarios.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Event Promotion: Teach students how to create promotional materials (e.g., flyers, social media posts) that highlight the event’s cultural significance.
Day 2: Weekly Schedule: Create a timeline leading up to the event, detailing tasks and responsibilities.
Day 3: Real-Life Scenarios: Present scenario cards related to event planning challenges (e.g., a guest with dietary restrictions, last-minute cancellations).
Day 4: Write responses to scenarios, explaining how they would address each challenge while maintaining ethical considerations.
Day 5: Prepare for final presentations of their event plans.
At the end of Week 3, students compile all deliverables—Event Purpose, Ethical Guidelines, Budget, Logistics Plan, Promotion Materials, and Scenario Responses—into an Event Planning Portfolio. Each student presents their portfolio, discussing their planning process and reflecting on the importance of cultural sensitivity.
Event Planning Portfolio: Evaluate for clarity, creativity, and completeness of each component.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric to assess clarity and engagement during presentations.
Access to computers/tablets for research and promotional materials
Budget templates
Art supplies for promotional materials
Invite guest speakers to share insights on cultural celebrations and the importance of inclusivity in event planning.
Discuss different cultural traditions and how they can be respectfully incorporated into celebrations.
Duration: 3 Weeks
Project Overview:
Students will plan a school event that fosters community, inclusivity, and cultural awareness. This project will emphasize ethical decision-making, budgeting, and collaboration while ensuring that the event celebrates the diversity of the school community.
Week 1: Event Concept & Cultural Awareness
Objective: Define the event and explore cultural considerations to ensure inclusivity.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to the project. Discuss the importance of school events in building community and the role of cultural awareness in planning.
Day 2: Event Brainstorming: Students brainstorm ideas for the school event (e.g., multicultural festival, talent show, or themed dance).
Day 3: Define Event Purpose: Each student writes a paragraph explaining the event’s purpose and the diverse groups it will represent or honor.
Day 4: Cultural Sensitivity Discussion: Explore various cultural practices and traditions. Discuss how to incorporate these respectfully into the event.
Day 5: Share event ideas and cultural considerations in small groups, providing feedback on inclusivity.
Week 2: Budgeting & Logistics Planning
Objective: Develop a realistic budget and plan logistical details for the event.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to Budgeting: Teach students about budgeting essentials, including income sources (ticket sales, sponsorships) and expenses (venue, food, decorations).
Day 2: Identify essential expenses and create a preliminary budget for their event.
Day 3: Logistics Planning: Discuss venue options within the school, seating arrangements, and the event timeline. Create a checklist of tasks leading up to the event.
Day 4: Budget Adjustments: Introduce “unexpected expenses” cards (e.g., last-minute supply needs). Students must adjust their budgets accordingly.
Day 5: Finalize the budget and logistics plan, ensuring all elements reflect cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
Week 3: Promotion & Critical Thinking
Objective: Develop promotional strategies and apply critical thinking to event scenarios.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Event Promotion: Teach students how to create promotional materials (e.g., posters, social media posts) that highlight the event's cultural significance and invite all members of the school community.
Day 2: Event Schedule: Create a detailed timeline of tasks leading up to the event, assigning roles and responsibilities within their planning groups.
Day 3: Real-Life Scenarios: Present scenario cards related to planning challenges (e.g., managing diverse opinions, accommodating different dietary needs).
Day 4: Write responses to scenarios, explaining how they would address each challenge while maintaining ethical considerations.
Day 5: Prepare for final presentations of their event plans, focusing on clarity and inclusivity.
At the end of Week 3, students compile all deliverables—Event Purpose, Cultural Awareness Guidelines, Budget, Logistics Plan, Promotion Materials, and Scenario Responses—into an Event Planning Portfolio. Each student presents their portfolio, discussing their planning process and reflecting on the importance of inclusivity.
Event Planning Portfolio: Evaluate for clarity, creativity, and completeness of each component.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric to assess clarity and engagement during presentations.
Access to computers/tablets for research and promotional materials
Budget templates
Art supplies for promotional materials
Invite guest speakers from the community to share insights on cultural celebrations and inclusivity in school events.
Organize a reflection session after the event to discuss successes and areas for improvement, reinforcing the importance of feedback and continuous learning.
Duration: 3 Weeks
Project Overview:
Students will create a vision board that visually represents their future goals, incorporating elements of ethical decision-making, career planning, financial literacy, management skills, and critical thinking.
Week 1: Self-Reflection & Goal Setting
Objective: Reflect on personal values and set future aspirations.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to the project. Discuss the purpose of a vision board and its role in goal setting.
Day 2: Values Reflection: Students list their core values and discuss how these influence their aspirations.
Day 3: Goal Identification: Write down short-term and long-term goals related to personal, academic, and career aspirations.
Day 4: Visual Inspiration: Research images, quotes, and symbols that represent their goals.
Day 5: Share initial ideas for their vision boards in small groups, providing feedback and encouragement.
Week 2: Career Exploration & Financial Considerations
Objective: Research potential careers and understand their financial implications.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Career Research: Explore at least two potential career paths, focusing on required education, job responsibilities, and salary expectations.
Day 2: Financial Literacy Discussion: Analyze the financial implications of chosen careers, including starting salaries and necessary investments (e.g., education, training).
Day 3: Creating Career Goals: Write specific career-related goals based on research findings.
Day 4: Begin designing vision boards by selecting images and quotes that reflect career aspirations and financial goals.
Day 5: Share progress with peers and discuss how their values align with their chosen careers.
Week 3: Planning & Overcoming Obstacles
Objective: Develop management skills and analyze potential challenges.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Step-by-Step Planning: Outline the steps needed to achieve their goals (e.g., education, internships, networking).
Day 2: Identifying Obstacles: Discuss common obstacles in achieving goals (e.g., time management, financial constraints) and brainstorm solutions.
Day 3: Finalize vision boards, incorporating elements that represent strategies for overcoming obstacles.
Day 4: Prepare for presentations by creating a brief overview of their vision boards and the goals represented.
Day 5: Present vision boards to the class, explaining their goals, values, and the steps they plan to take.
At the end of Week 3, students present their vision boards, discussing their goals, the values that shaped them, and their plans for overcoming challenges.
Vision Board: Evaluate for creativity, clarity, and how well it represents personal goals and values.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric to assess clarity, engagement, and the depth of reflection.
Poster boards or digital tools for creating vision boards
Magazines, printed images, and quotes for collage
Access to computers/tablets for research
Host a "Vision Board Gallery" where students display their boards for the school community.
Invite guest speakers from various career fields to discuss their paths and the importance of goal setting.
Duration: 3 Weeks
Project Overview:
Students will design a community service project that addresses a local need, developing skills in ethical decision-making, career planning, financial literacy, management, and critical thinking.
Week 1: Identifying Community Needs & Ethical Considerations
Objective: Explore local community needs and discuss ethical considerations in service.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Introduction to the project. Discuss the purpose of community service and its impact.
Day 2: Community Needs Assessment: Research local issues by reviewing news articles, community reports, and surveys.
Day 3: Group Discussion: Share findings and discuss which needs resonate with them and why.
Day 4: Ethical Decision-Making: Discuss the importance of serving others and making ethical choices in community service.
Day 5: Form small groups based on shared interests in specific community issues and brainstorm initial project ideas.
Week 2: Project Planning & Budgeting
Objective: Develop a detailed project plan and budget.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Career Research: Explore careers related to social services and community work, discussing relevant skills and responsibilities.
Day 2: Project Proposal: Outline the chosen project, including objectives, target population, and expected impact.
Day 3: Budget Creation: Identify costs associated with the project (supplies, advertising) and create a budget. Discuss potential fundraising strategies.
Day 4: Timeline & Roles: Organize a project timeline, detailing tasks and deadlines. Assign roles within each group (e.g., project manager, finance officer).
Day 5: Present project proposals to the class for feedback and suggestions.
Week 3: Implementation & Critical Thinking
Objective: Prepare for project implementation and address potential challenges.
Daily Activities:
Day 1: Logistics Planning: Discuss logistics, including venue, permissions, and materials needed for the project.
Day 2: Recruitment Strategies: Develop a plan for recruiting volunteers, including outreach methods and responsibilities.
Day 3: Identifying Challenges: Discuss potential obstacles (e.g., funding issues, volunteer recruitment) and brainstorm solutions.
Day 4: Finalize project plans and prepare materials needed for implementation.
Day 5: Share final project plans with the class, including their budget, timeline, and how they will address challenges.
At the end of Week 3, students present their community service project plans, discussing the community need addressed, their project details, budget, and strategies for overcoming challenges.
Project Plan: Evaluate for clarity, feasibility, and thoroughness of the project details, including ethical considerations.
Presentation: Use a simple rubric to assess clarity, engagement, and the depth of planning.
Access to computers/tablets for research and project planning
Budget templates
Art supplies for project materials and presentations
Collaborate with local organizations for support and resources related to the community project.
Organize a reflection session after project implementation to discuss successes and areas for improvement, reinforcing the importance of feedback and learning.