9th Grade
Project
3 weeks
Mindful Futures: Careers in Care & Wellness
1-pager
Purpose
This project aims to immerse 9th-grade students in the exploration of mental health and support service careers through dynamic, real-world learning experiences. By engaging in research, collaboration, and creative expression, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles within this field and their significance to community well-being. The project culminates in a community awareness campaign and a digital publication, fostering students' abilities to communicate effectively and reflect on the societal impact of mental health professions.
Learning goals
Students will investigate various career paths within mental health and support services, gaining insights into the roles and responsibilities of these professions. They will develop research skills by gathering information and conducting interviews, enhancing their understanding of how mental health careers impact individuals and communities. Through collaboration, students will create digital content that effectively communicates their findings, honing their ability to present complex information in engaging formats. Engaging with professionals during the panel discussion will deepen their reflection on the societal importance of mental health careers.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Products
Throughout this project, students will collaborate to create a digital magazine or blog that showcases a variety of mental health careers. They will produce articles, infographics, and conduct interviews with professionals to highlight the significance and impact of these roles. By the end of the project, students will present their work as part of a community awareness campaign, using their digital publication to educate others about mental health professions and support services.
Launch
To kick off the learning experience, invite a guest speaker from the mental health field to share their career journey and insights with the students. This engaging session will spark curiosity and provide a real-world perspective on the various roles within mental health and support services. Following the talk, facilitate a brainstorming session where students list questions and topics they are interested in exploring further throughout the project. This activity sets the stage for deeper inquiry and meaningful exploration of mental health careers.
Exhibition
Host a Mental Health Careers Expo where students present their digital magazines or blogs to peers, teachers, and community members. Set up booths for each group to showcase their informational materials and engage visitors in discussions about the various mental health professions they researched. Incorporate interactive elements such as live demonstrations or role-playing scenarios to deepen understanding and engagement. Conclude with the panel discussion, where students can reflect on their learning and gain insights from mental health professionals.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Guest Speaker Session - Host a guest speaker from the mental health field to share their career journey and insights, sparking students' curiosity about various roles within mental health and support services (20 min)
Brainstorming Session - Facilitate a brainstorming activity where students list questions and topics they are interested in exploring further throughout the project, setting the stage for deeper inquiry (25 min)
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Essential Question Exploration - Introduce and discuss the essential question, 'What are the different career paths in mental health and support services, and how can we explore these through research and experience?' encouraging students to think critically about their learning goals (15 min)
Group Formation and Roles - Organize students into groups and assign roles, guiding them to collaborate effectively as they begin their project journey (15 min)
Research Skills Workshop - Conduct a mini-workshop on research skills, including how to identify credible sources and conduct interviews, to prepare students for their exploration of mental health careers (15 min)
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Research Topic Selection - Have each group choose a specific mental health career or support service to research, ensuring a diverse array of topics across the class (15 min)
Initial Research Session - Provide time for students to begin gathering information on their chosen topic, focusing on key responsibilities and community impact (30 min)
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Interview Preparation - Guide students in drafting interview questions and identifying potential mental health professionals to contact for interviews, emphasizing the importance of professional communication (20 min)
Digital Magazine/Blog Planning - Introduce the digital magazine/blog project, outlining expectations and allowing groups to brainstorm ideas for articles, infographics, and interviews (25 min)
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Peer Feedback Session - Facilitate a session where groups share their preliminary research findings and receive constructive feedback from peers to refine their focus (20 min)
Goal Setting for Week 2 - Have groups set specific research and project goals for the upcoming week, ensuring a clear direction for continued progress (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Draft article or blog post outlining the roles and impact of chosen mental health professions.
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange for a guest speaker from the mental health field to kick off the project.
2. Provide access to online research databases and digital content creation tools. 3. Create a rubric for peer review to guide students in providing constructive feedback. 4. Set up a shared digital workspace for students to collaborate and share resources. 5. Ensure availability of computers or tablets for students to conduct research and draft content. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Research Assignment - Students form groups and choose specific mental health careers to research, focusing on roles, responsibilities, and community impact (45 min)
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Digital Content Planning - Groups outline their digital magazine or blog sections, deciding on articles, infographics, and interviews to include, ensuring alignment with their research findings (45 min)
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Interview Preparation - Students prepare questions for interviews with mental health professionals, practicing effective communication and inquiry skills (25 min)
Role-Playing Scenario - Conduct mock interviews within groups to refine questioning and listening techniques (20 min)
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Infographic Design Workshop - Teach students how to create effective infographics to visually communicate key aspects of their chosen mental health professions (45 min)
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Drafting Articles - Students begin writing articles for their digital publication, integrating research and interview insights to convey career importance and societal impact (45 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. A detailed article or blog post outline per group, summarizing their research findings and interview insights.
2. A draft of the infographic, with data points and visual elements that will be refined in the following week. |
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| Preparation |
1. Secure access to digital tools for creating infographics, such as Canva or Piktochart.
2. Schedule and confirm virtual interviews with mental health professionals, ensuring students have access to necessary technology for video calls. 3. Prepare research materials, such as online databases and articles, to support students in gathering accurate information. 4. Develop a rubric for evaluating the outlines and infographics, focusing on clarity, accuracy, and creativity. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Final Research Compilation - Guide students in compiling and synthesizing their research findings into comprehensive articles for the digital magazine or blog (20 min)
Infographic Design Session - Assist students in designing infographics that visually represent key information about mental health careers, ensuring clarity and engagement (25 min)
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Interview Integration - Support students in incorporating insights from their interviews with mental health professionals into their articles, emphasizing real-world perspectives (20 min)
Digital Platform Setup - Facilitate a session where students set up their digital magazine or blog platform, organizing content for effective presentation (25 min)
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Peer Review and Revision - Conduct a peer review session where students provide feedback on each other's articles and infographics, refining content for clarity and impact (20 min)
Final Edits and Proofreading - Guide students in making final edits and proofreading their digital content to ensure accuracy and professionalism (25 min)
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Community Awareness Campaign Preparation - Assist students in preparing materials and presentations for the community awareness campaign, focusing on effective communication (20 min)
Rehearsal Session - Organize a rehearsal session for students to practice presenting their digital publications and engaging with their audience (25 min)
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Mental Health Careers Expo - Host the Mental Health Careers Expo where students present their digital magazines or blogs to peers, teachers, and community members (30 min)
Panel Discussion Reflection - Facilitate a panel discussion with mental health professionals, allowing students to reflect on their learning and ask questions (15 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Digital magazine or blog featuring articles, infographics, and interviews about mental health careers
2. Presentation and booth setup for the Mental Health Careers Expo 3. Participation in panel discussion and reflection on learning experiences |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure digital tools and software are available for magazine/blog creation
2. Arrange venue and logistics for the Mental Health Careers Expo, including booth setup 3. Coordinate with mental health professionals for the panel discussion 4. Provide materials for interactive elements, such as role-playing scenarios 5. Prepare reflection prompts to guide student discussion post-panel |
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