WOW! Wild Over WOW! Wild Over WorkWork

Workshop GoalsWorkshop Goals • To understand the foundation of

WOW!• To understand the components of

the WOW ! curriculum guide• To experience activities from WOW!• To leave feeling “wild over work!”

WOW!WOW! is for School-Age is for School-Age KidsKids

• Age group (K-6)• Settings

– 4-H Clubs– Afterschool

Programs– Classrooms

What is Workforce What is Workforce Preparation?Preparation?

• Process of preparing to enter the workforce

• Series of learning experiences starting in early childhood and continuing throughout adult life

• Prepares the way for later career decision making

Rationale for DesignRationale for Design

• Based on what we know about:– Youth development– Curriculum development– Skills needed for the workforce– Career development

What is Developmentally What is Developmentally Appropriate?Appropriate?

• Considers the whole child• Integrates curriculum domains• Focus is active vs. passive• Allows work in small groups• Develops social interaction skills• Contains relevant, meaningful and engaging

content• Fosters positive attitudes toward learning• Allows for acquisition of important knowledge and

skills

A future president of the United States is in a classroom today. Seated next to her may be a future salesperson, a manager of a manufacturing plant, a journalist, a doctor, a steelworker and a scientist.

These children need to learn vital

skills now so they are prepared

for whatever profession they

choose later in life.

The future is now . . .The future is now . . .

National School-to-Work Learning and Information Center

Career Developmental Tasks Career Developmental Tasks for School-Age Childrenfor School-Age Children

• Develop self-awareness of interests, values, abilities, and personal qualities.

• Become aware of career options and explore a variety of options.

• Acquire knowledge of workers and their role and appreciate the value of work.

Career Developmental Tasks Career Developmental Tasks for School-Age Childrenfor School-Age Children

• Develop attitudes that support competence, cooperation, and achievement.

• Develop an understanding of the relationship of interests and values to occupational choices.

• Learn decision-making strategies.

Important Points to Important Points to ConsiderConsider

• Focus on skills that would contribute to success in any job.

• Take into account how children develop and learn.

• Make tasks meaningful now and to future success.

• Emphasize exposure to options vs. making final choices.

Focus on Employability Focus on Employability SkillsSkills

• Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills - SCANS (1991)– Workforce Competencies

• information, resources, interpersonal skills, systems, and technology

– Foundation Skills• basic skills, thinking skills and

personal qualities

WOW! WOW! GoalsGoals • Develop an awareness of the wide range of career

options available and the education and skills required for them.

• Develop an understanding of self as a worker and in relation to potential career choices.

• Develop attitudes of respect and appreciation toward all workers and their contributions to society.

• Develop skills for exploring potential career choices in greater depth.

• Develop a vision for “seeing myself in the future.”

WOW!WOW! Goal #1: Awareness Goal #1: Awareness• Develop an awareness of the wide

range of career options available and the education and skills required for them.

WOW! Goal #2: Self• Develop an understanding of self as

a worker and in relation to potential career choices.

WOW!WOW! Goal #3: Attitudes Goal #3: Attitudes• Develop attitudes of respect and

appreciation toward all workers and their contributions to society.

WOW! Goal #4: Skills• Develop skills for exploring potential

career choices in greater depth.

WOW!WOW! Goal #5: Vision Goal #5: Vision• Develop a vision for “seeing myself

in the future.”

WOW! WOW! Curriculum Curriculum ThemesThemes

Goals

WOW!WOW! Big Ideas Big Ideas• All work is valuable.• Not all work is paid.• Workforce skills are those that can

be applied in many settings.• It’s important to explore many

options.• People can match their skills

interests to find jobs they can do.• Many factors influence future

career decisions.

Activity DesignActivity Design• Group activities led by adult • Developmentally appropriate

for elementary-age children• Incorporate workforce

competencies and foundation skills in order to do the activity

• Help children learn about options

About the ActivitiesAbout the Activities• Activities do not require a

specific sequence . . .– Good for those who want to

integrate with an existing program– Work for those who have

experience planning & leading group activities

– More difficult for those who need a more structured experience

About the ActivitiesAbout the Activities• Some can be

completed easily in one session.

• Others need time for two or more sessions.

• All can be expanded with extension activities.

Caution: If you adapt . . .Caution: If you adapt . . .

• Workforce skills and competencies are embedded in the activity - don’t lose them in the process of making changes.

• Without discussion (“Talking it Over”), the connections to goals and big ideas may not happen.

Use the Sandwich Use the Sandwich ApproachApproach

• With guest speakers and field trips, use the sandwich approach:– Preparation (Bread)– Experience (Filling)– Reflection and Follow-Up (Bread)

The filling is tasty, but the bread holds the “learning sandwich”

together.

How You Can Use How You Can Use WOW!WOW!

• Integrate activities into existing content or programs; give new focus to current programs.

• Create new programs or work with new audiences.

• Use as a stepping stone for other ideas.

Delivery ModelsDelivery Models• School classroom

– teacher-led– volunteer-led– agent-led

• Special interest programs• Afterschool child care & clubs• Summer camps• Service-learning experience for high school

or college students

Putting It All TogetherPutting It All Together

• Portfolio Process– Collect– Reflect– Select

WOW!

Career CoachesCareer Coaches

• College students facilitating afterschool career clubs for elementary students

• Service-learning model for college students

• Asset-building model for elementary students

How You Can Use How You Can Use WOW!WOW! • Help leaders see how they can

integrate activities into existing 4-H projects: – Getting the Job Done– Wow! What I Do Well– Inquiring Minds Want to Know– Only the Shadow Knows– Speech! Speech!

Program Development Program Development RecommendationsRecommendations

• Target elementary students.

• Capitalize on high interest.

• Create career-rich learning environments.

• Encourage active exploration.

Program Development Program Development RecommendationsRecommendations

• Provide exposure to role models.

• Emphasize community service and volunteer experiences.

• Once is not enough.

• Use the media.

My FutureMy Future(class poem written by 3rd grade students)(class poem written by 3rd grade students)

When I grow up I think that ICould fly an airplane in the sky.Or be a doctor dressed in whiteAnd make the people feel all right.

I might build things with my handsOr cook food with pots and pans.I could teach or work in a storeOr put some carpet on the floor.

Right now I don’t know what I’ll be.But whatever it is, it’s up to me.