Series:

M3: Making My Move

Lesson #1:
Moving
Teacher and Student Editions

Original Lesson Developers: Joann Benz, Dan Hartman, Julie Tinder, Carol Smith & Amy Johnson
ILCTE Leader, Leah Brock Converted to Format by Karen Aldworth
February, 2020 Current Phase of Lesson: Phase 3 of 5
The School Career Resources (SCR) “Making My Move” is a series of five lessons developed for 5th to
8th grade students based on career pathways to help them begin to think about career opportunities.
Each lesson utilizes the construction of an aircraft-related project to engage the students in career
decision making. Each of the five lessons build off one another, so it is important to do them in
sequence. However, if time is only available for one lesson, the first lesson is the most important. Each
lesson can be taught by any teacher or school counselor; no prior knowledge is needed to successfully
deliver the content. Lessons could be taught in transitional classes, classes where students are
introduced to careers, homeroom sessions, classes that would involve students conducting self-
reflection, social studies classes, etc. Honestly, this series of lessons could be taught in any upper
elementary or middle school class, at any time. Each lesson was designed for one class period, but
since they provide a rich context for elaboration, you may want to consider planning for two or more
hours.

SCR 1: This lesson uses the construction of a hot air balloon as the vehicle for instruction and as a
visual representation of student potential. In this lesson, students will explore their abilities and
interests in the context of where they can go.

SCR 2: This lesson uses a dirigible or blimp as the vehicle for instruction and as a visual representation
that careers can be selected and guided. In this lesson, students will explore how their abilities and
interests can help them consider career areas; it is not intended that students will pick a career at this
time. Rather, students will see how a plan is valuable for achieving goals.

SCR 3: This lesson uses the construction of a model of an antique airplane as the vehicle for instruction
and as an example of skills and interests. In this lesson, students build a model airplane and plan an
imaginary trip in it, drawing their flight path on a road map or an aeronautical sectional chart.
Students “fly” the airplane on a string to experience that it can be controlled. The activities in this
lesson provide a context to identify likes, dislikes, and skills, so students see how their personal beliefs
lead to the identification of an appropriate career cluster.

SCR 4: This lesson uses a jet as the vehicle for instruction and as a visual representation of going fast,
high, and far. This lesson was designed to help students in grades 5-8 expand their thinking about
what is possible. Students build a model jet aircraft and decorate it to reflect their interests and values.
Students fly the jet using a rubber band-powered launcher and adjust the control surfaces for a
successful flight path. The activities in this lesson lay the foundation for a focus on matching careers to
personal values, interests and goals. When an occupation/job is chosen based upon one’s interests and
values, passion, enthusiasm, and resiliency will be there for developing a successful, fulfilling career.

SCR 5: This lesson uses a rocket as the vehicle for instruction and as a visual representation of doing
extraordinary things. Students design and build the rocket and then test it for stability before
launching. Students also build a tracking device and use it to calculate the apogee (highest altitude).
Students compare the tasks they completed in this activity to characteristics they feel employers need.
Finally, students match employability skills with career clusters consistent with their interests.

Completing the lessons in the SCR “Making My Move” series will help to meet two Illinois PaCE
(Postsecondary Career Expectations) requirements in the 8th grade individual learning plan:
1. complete a career cluster survey
2. complete a unit on education planning
See https://www.isac.org/pace/documents/pace-framework.pdf for additional information. In
addition to helping meet the PaCE requirements, the SCR lessons address several Illinois Priority
Learning Standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Social Emotional
Learning areas.
Lesson Overview:

The “M3: Making My Move” series consists of five lessons that can be conducted by your classroom
teacher requiring approximately one class period. The lesson will help you identify your abilities and
interests and begin to understand how they can guide your career decisions. This lesson uses the
construction of a hot air balloon as the vehicle for instruction and as a visual representation of your
potential.

In this lesson, you will explore your abilities and interests in the context of where you can go with
them. You will also see how education contributes to attaining your goals.

Classes or Discipline:
• Transitional classes
• Career based classes (i.e. Intro to Careers)
• Any class or subject involving self-reflection or planning for the future
• Social Science, Math, ELA, Science

Career Cluster:
• This lesson is applicable to all CTE Career Clusters

Illinois CTE Endorsement Area:

• This lesson is applicable to all CTE Endorsement Areas

Grade Level(s):
• 5th-8th grades

Anticipated Days/Minutes: Approximately 50 minutes

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this lesson and activities, students will be able to:

• Identify their interest and abilities.

Standards Addressed:
• Priority Learning Standards
o English Language Arts Priority
▪ Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons
and information.
▪ Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking
measurements, or performing technical tasks.
▪ Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words
and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant
to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

Enduring Understandings:
• Students will know how to apply their personal interests while building a potential list of
career ideas.
Resources and References:

1. Access to show video

2. Video:
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
3. Various colors of construction paper (Each student will need 8 sheets)
4. Scissors
5. Colored pencils/markers
6. Glue stick
7. Small paper or plastic cups
8. Tape

Essential Employability Skills

There are four essential employability skills

• Personal Ethic: integrity, respect, perseverance, positive attitude
• Work Ethic: dependability, professionalism
• Teamwork: critical thinking, effective and cooperative work
• Communication: active listening, clear communication

The focus of this lesson is on perseverance, positive attitude, and critical thinking.

Skill How it is addressed:

Perseverance Self-pride and self-advocacy are challenging attributes for
student at this age. It may make some students
uncomfortable. Students will work on perseverance as
they identify their own abilities.
Elaborate: Step 2
Positive Attitude Listening to their peers and identifying skills and career
interests they might not have thought of for themselves
will require them to maintain positivity and support for
each other.
Explore: Step 15
Explain: Step 3
Elaborate: Step 2
Critical Thinking Moving forward from identifying your likes and dislikes,
as well as, your talents and skills, to applying those
concepts as actual job skills takes critical thinking.
Explain: Steps 1, 2, 4
Elaborate: Step 6
Suggested Differentiation Strategies:

• Provide ideas about skills - pictures of skills and/or jobs

• Word bank of potential interests
• Using partners or working in small groups
• Writing notes, paraphrasing, or using pictures are all acceptable.
• Some students may need help drawing, folding, and cutting. Be careful, however, that they need
help, are not acting helpless.

Throughout this lesson, suggested teacher notes and comments are in red.
1. Engage: (10 minutes)

1. Watch “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” by Dr. Seuss

Be certain the link is accessible at your school. You can also read the book aloud.

2. Why do you think your teacher wanted you to hear this story?
Students may begin with some very simple ideas, encourage them to explore the meaning of
various places that the character visits along their journey.
The Dr. Seuss story is an introduction to the entire series of lessons, although the idea of life as
a journey is continued through the entire series.

2. Explore: (20 minutes)

This project utilizes the proper terms to identify the parts of the balloon. It may be necessary to
discuss the parts with them. The “envelope” is the main, top, inflated part of the balloon. The “basket”
hangs below the envelope and holds the pilot/passengers, burner, and fuel.

Make the Envelope:

1. You will be designing and making your own hot air balloon.
Students will be making their own hot air balloon that will represent them and list their
interests. It will later be filled with notes identifying their abilities.

2. Get 1 piece of construction paper and a pencil.

Standard sized paper is fine but provide a variety of colors.

3. Draw the side view of a hot air balloon on the paper. It should be as large as possible. Your
teacher will put up some photos of hot air balloons, so you know what they look like.
Google Images should provide several photos of hot air balloons. They only need to draw the
top, not the gondola hanging from the bottom. Encourage them to fill the entire paper with their
balloon.
4. Fold your paper in half (hot dog, long-ways) so the drawing of the balloon is on the outside.
Look at both halves. Which one is better?
They drew both halves so that they could see the entire balloon, but only one half is necessary.
They can adjust their lines.

5. Keeping the paper folded, cut out the balloon following the line on the better side. Unfold it to
make a complete balloon. Don’t worry that you cut on one line but not the other.
It should be easy enough to keep it held together while cutting, if not, put a few staples in the
scrap around the edges.

6. Fold 3 additional pieces of construction paper in half. Put the pattern over them all and cut
them all at the same time. If the paper is too thick, cut them one at a time. Pick nice colors.
Cutting all at the same time speeds up the process but may be too difficult if the paper is thick.
Another option is to draw around the pattern on each sheet and cut them separately.
7. Keeping them folded, set one on the table and put glue around the edges.
A glue stick will work great for this task. Glue is only necessary an inch or so around the edges.

8. Put the next paper on top and stick them together.

They should stack neatly with the straight line of the fold and the curved edge lining up nicely.
9. Put glue around the edges of this piece and stick the next one on top of it. It should start
looking like pages in a book.

10. Keep going until all 4 balloons are stacked and glued.

11. Now glue the top of the top page to the bottom of the bottom page.
This step might be a bit confusing because it is here that the 2-dimensional shape becomes 3
dimensional.
12. It should now look like a hot air balloon.
It will look like a balloon from a distance, but up close it probably looks like a book with pages.
Write your interests:

1. Be sure to write your name on at least 1 of the sections of the balloon.

Some students will want to write their name large on every page. That is not the point here.
They must leave room for writing their interests on the balloon.

2. On every section, write at least two things that you like to do or something that interests you.
For example, maybe you like to play video games, so gaming interests you. Maybe you like to
ride a bicycle. Perhaps you are interested in airplanes, cars or boats. Maybe you are very
interested in hair styles, fashion, or make-up. Write them all on the pages of your balloon.
If they struggle with figuring out their interests, ask them to think about what they spend their
time doing. Many will say “playing video games” or “watching movies” or perhaps, “hanging out
with my friends.” All are fine for now. They should write something different on every page (at
least 8 things) and encourage them to write more.
Make the basket:
1. The basket is made from a small paper cup.

2. Cut 4 pieces of tape about 3 inched long.

3. Stick the tape to the top edge of the basket.

4. Set the balloon on top of the basket.

5. Fold the tape over the edges of the balloon envelope.

 Throughout this process students have been interacting with each other and have probably
shared what interests they have been writing down. In some cases, they may have used peer
interaction (either appropriately or as “group think”) to identify their interests. You may
wish to allow several students to share what they have written, but personal disclosure can be
terrifying to some students.

3. Explain: (10 minutes)

1. How did you get both halves of the balloon the same even through your drawing was probably
not the same on both sides?
By folding and cutting both halves at the same time, the balloon is symmetrical. This is a good
opportunity to address the geometry concept of symmetry.

2. How did you decide what interests you?

Often young students have never really thought about their interests. Some will make this list
based on what they spend their time doing. Others may base this on what books they like to
read or movies they like to watch.

3. What is the purpose of the envelope on the hot air balloon?

The envelope provides the lift. It causes the aircraft to go up.

4. In what ways are your interests like the envelope of the balloon?
Our interests determine (support) what we do. This question might require some additional
explanation since students are not accustomed to thinking of objects representing cognition
processes.

4. Elaborate/Extend: (15 minutes)

1. Cut at least 10 strips of paper from the scrap left over from your balloon. They should be about
2 cm wide and 10 cm long.
This can be a good opportunity to practice using metric measurements.
2. Write one of your abilities or skills on each piece of paper. This could be things like good
reader, good basketball player, good cook, good skateboarder, good student, etc.
Some students may have trouble thinking of anything that they are good at doing. You may
need to get them started by asking them to remember what compliments you (or other adults)
have given them over the past month.

3. Put your slips of paper in the basket of your balloon.

They may wish to fold them. It does not matter.
4. Help your teacher hang all the balloons from the ceiling of your classroom.
It is valuable that students can see their balloons and remember what is in them for the
duration of this series of lessons. Hanging them from the ceiling also gets them out of the way
and protects them from harm.
5. As you think of more things you are good at doing, write them on slips of paper and put them in
the basket.
They may not be able to reach the basket based on the ceiling height of your room. Still,
encouraging them to add to their list of abilities is never a bad thing.

6. Why do you think we did this project?

This project is a means to help students identify, record, and display (discretely) their interests
and abilities. The balloon is an illustration of how the interests and abilities go together.
An aspect of this analogy that you may wish to share with the students is the navigation of a hot
air balloon. The pilot determines the altitude, but not the direction. A balloon goes wherever
the wind blows it. Young students, (and probably far too many adults) believe this to be true of
their lives. Up through middle school the students do not get much choice. They go where the
“wind” blows them. As they mature, however, the direction they take becomes their decision, if
they recognize it as such. Future projects in this series increase in the amount of control the
pilot has over the aircraft.
 A fun way to use the balloons is to stretch strings all the way across your room near the ceiling.
It would be best if every student had their own, but that is not really necessary. Hang each
balloon on a paper clip that slides on the string. Allow students to “race” their balloons along
the string based on some type of reward or motivational system. They can easily slide the
balloons with a meter stick. This might be a good way to practice measurement. For example,
“Betty, for turning in your assignment on time you can move your balloon 50 centimeters.”

5. Evaluate:

Your teacher may use the following rubric to evaluate your finished balloon project.

(3) Exceeds Expectations (2) Meets Expectations (1) Developing Toward

Expectations
The student worked carefully The student completed the The student did not complete
and diligently to make the project but did not follow the project due to not following
balloon, following all directions directions carefully and was of directions and was a
in the proper order and helped little or no help to others. distraction to others.
others as needed.

He/she exceeded the number He/she met the number of He/she had trouble identifying
of required interests written on required interests written on interests and only recorded a
the balloon. He/she wrote the balloon. He/she wrote few. He/she wrote a few
several abilities that are several abilities, but many are abilities, but many are not
accurate and precise. not accurate. accurate.

He/she took this lesson very He/she did this lesson but did He/she did not take this lesson
seriously, putting forth not put in much effort to make seriously, putting forth very
exceptional effort. it valuable. little effort

Notes:
All ILCTE lessons are vetted by: Curriculum Leader, Dr. Brad Christensen.
To see a review of this lesson by previous users, please click here.
We invite users of this lesson to click here to leave follow up information and rating.
We would like to publish pictures/videos of your students using this lesson. Please send to Rod
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Download Word/Google Document:

Download as Google Doc or Word Doc. When open, click “open with” Google Docs. If you want in a
Word Doc: click “file”, “download”, Microsoft Word and you will have in original PDF format.
 Series:

M : Making My Move
3

Lesson:
#1 Moving

Student Edition
Lesson Overview:

The “M3: Making My Move” series consists of five lessons that can be conducted by your classroom
teacher requiring approximately one class period. The lesson will help you identify your abilities and
interests and begin to understand how they can guide your career decisions. This lesson uses the
construction of a hot air balloon as the vehicle for instruction and as a visual representation of your
potential.

In this lesson, you will explore your abilities and interests in the context of where you can go with
them. You will also see how education contributes to attaining your goals..

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this lesson and activities, students will be able to:

• Identify their interest and abilities.

Enduring Understandings:

• Students will know how to apply their personal interests while building a potential list of
career ideas.

Resources and References:

1. Access to show video

2. Video:
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
3. Various colors of construction paper (Each student will need 8 sheets)
4. Scissors
5. Colored pencils/markers
6. Glue stick
7. Small paper or plastic cups
8. Tape

Essential Employability Skills

There are four essential employability skills

• Personal Ethic: integrity, respect, perseverance, positive attitude

• Work Ethic: dependability, professionalism
• Teamwork: critical thinking, effective and cooperative work
• Communication: active listening, clear communication
The focus of this lesson is on perseverance, positive attitude, and critical thinking.

Skill How it is addressed:

Perseverance Self-pride and self-advocacy are challenging attributes for
student at this age. It may make some students
uncomfortable. Students will work on perseverance as
they identify their own abilities.
Elaborate: Step 2
Positive Attitude Listening to their peers and identifying skills and career
interests they might not have thought of for themselves
will require them to maintain positivity and support for
each other.
Explore: Step 15
Explain: Step 3
Elaborate: Step 2
Critical Thinking Moving forward from identifying your likes and dislikes,
as well as, your talents and skills, to applying those
concepts as actual job skills takes critical thinking.
Explain: Steps 1, 2, 4
Elaborate: Step 6

1. Engage:

1. Watch “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” by Dr. Seuss

2. Why do you think your teacher wanted you to hear this story?

2. Explore:

This project utilizes the proper terms to identify the parts of the balloon. It may be necessary to
discuss the parts with them. The “envelope” is the main, top, inflated part of the balloon. The “basket”
hangs below the envelope and holds the pilot/passengers, burner, and fuel.

Make the Envelope:

1. You will be designing and making your own hot air balloon.

2. Get 1 piece of construction paper and a pencil.

3. Draw the side view of a hot air balloon on the paper. It should be as large as possible. Your
teacher will put up some photos of hot air balloons, so you know what they look like.
4. Fold your paper in half (hot dog, long-ways) so the drawing of the balloon is on the outside.
Look at both halves. Which one is better?

5. Keeping the paper folded, cut out the balloon following the line on the better side. Unfold it to
make a complete balloon. Don’t worry that you cut on one line but not the other.

6. Fold 3 additional pieces of construction paper in half. Put the pattern over them all and cut
them all at the same time. If the paper is too thick, cut them one at a time. Pick nice colors.
7. Keeping them folded, set one on the table and put glue around the edges.
8. Put the next paper on top and stick them together.
9. Put glue around the edges of this piece and stick the next one on top of it. It should start
looking like pages in a book.

10. Keep going until all 4 balloons are stacked and glued.

11. Now glue the top of the top page to the bottom of the bottom page.

12. It should now look like a hot air balloon.

Write your interests:

1. Be sure to write your name on at least 1 of the sections of the balloon.

2. On every section, write at least two things that you like to do or something that interests you.
For example, maybe you like to play video games, so gaming interests you. Maybe you like to
ride a bicycle. Perhaps you are interested in airplanes, cars or boats. Maybe you are very
interested in hair styles, fashion, or make-up. Write them all on the pages of your balloon.
Make the basket:
1. The basket is made from a small paper cup.

2. Put 4 pieces of tape about 3 inched long.

3. Stick the tape to the top edge of the basket.

4. Set the balloon on top of the basket.

5. Fold the tape over the edges of the balloon envelope.

3. Explain:

1. How did you get both halves of the balloon the same even through your drawing was probably
not the same on both sides?

2. How did you decide what interests you?

3. What is the purpose of the envelope on the hot air balloon?

4. In what ways are your interests like the envelope of the balloon?

4. Elaborate/Extend:

1. Cut at least 10 strips of paper from the scrap left over from your balloon. They should be about
2 cm wide and 10 cm long.
2. Write one of your abilities or skills on each piece of paper. This could be things like good
reader, good basketball player, good cook, good skateboarder, good student, etc.

3. Put your slips of paper in the basket of your balloon.

4. Help your teacher hang all the balloons from the ceiling of your classroom.
5. As you think of more things you are good at doing, write them on slips of paper and put them in
the basket.

6. Why do you think we did this project?

5. Evaluate:

Your teacher may use the following rubric to evaluate your finished balloon project.

(3) Exceeds Expectations (2) Meets Expectations (1) Developing Toward

Expectations
The student worked carefully The student completed the The student did not complete
and diligently to make the project but did not follow the project due to not following
balloon, following all directions directions carefully and was of directions and was a
in the proper order and helped little or no help to others. distraction to others.
others as needed.

He/she exceeded the number He/she met the number of He/she had trouble identifying
of required interests written on required interests written on interests and only recorded a
the balloon. He/she wrote the balloon. He/she wrote few. He/she wrote a few
several abilities that are several abilities, but many are abilities, but many are not
accurate and precise. not accurate. accurate.

He/she took this lesson very He/she did this lesson but did He/she did not take this lesson
seriously, putting forth not put in much effort to make seriously, putting forth very
exceptional effort. it valuable. little effort