WHY SCHOOL? GRADE 9 LESSON 15 Time Required: 30-45 minutes Content Standards: AA.S.1 Students will acquire attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the lifespan. Indicators (Students will…): AA.A.9.1.02 Display a positive interest in learning. GOAL: Students will understand the reasons schools exist. Activity Statement: Students will brainstorm their personal reasons for attending school and compare them with the reasons schools exist. Materials: 1. Pen or pencil 2. Paper Procedures: 1. Ask students to think for a few minutes about the following question: “Why do you attend school?” 2. Have students work independently for five minutes and write their reasons on a sheet of paper. 3. Divide students into small groups of 3 to 5 students and ask them to discuss the reasons they have written. 4. Use the last fifteen minutes to encourage students to share their reasons with the entire class. Discussion: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What is a school? What are the characteristics of an excellent school? How does school prepare you for later life? What would you do if you were not attending school? Are the reasons that you attend school the same as the reason that school exists? How can school help improve your quality of life in the future? WHY SCHOOL? GRADE 9 LESSON 15 Integrative Closing Statement: When students make the connection between the skills and knowledge they acquire in school and how these will enhance their quality of life later, they will be more motivated to attend school. Additional Resources: Extension Activities: Resources: The Roads to Success lessons have been correlated to the inventories and assessments found in CFWV.com Roads to Success Lesson Plan – High School Matters Students: Complete Classroom Activity #2 – Using School Subjects in the Workplace to learn how academic skills apply in the Resource: Chicago Public Schools (9-12) 30 Advisor/Advisee Lessons http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Lessons/Advisory/ Grade 9 Week 12