Lesson 4: Thematic Springboards Part II: Topical Unit Study Ideas
4-2 Careers
At any age children have a fascination with what they may become. What might their future look like? What job do they picture themselves in?
What more natural opening for a unit study than a career theme! Over the years our family had several favorite approaches to this idea. Probably the all-time favorite was a recurring study we called Business in a Box. For this type of study we started with a box which we could stand on its side, open the top sideways and have a little desktop "office" in which to conduct business. The actual box had a smaller set of boxes inside to create shelves and typical desktop accessories like a pen holder or IN & OUT paper trays. The inside of the lid became a bulletin board for important notes. Any business we wanted to simulate over the years was based out of this simply painted box. The first and favorite was the Publishing House business. Jen gave our business a name painted on a cardboard sign mounted on the top of the box office. I designed an employment application for her to fill out, I interviewed her, hired her as a writer/illustrator/book designer and -- like an editor -- guided her in the writing, illustrating and full creating of a hardcover book. As a guide I used Melton's Written and Illustrated By... which leads you step by step through the creation of a truly quality-looking book. We then submitted it to a contest run by Landmark Publications, who produced Melton's book as a guide. The approach is a right brain/left brain, fast-paced experience I would heartily recommend trying at least once.
A natural activity for a unit study on careers is a field trip. Many local businesses and institutions are willing to escort educational tours of their facilities by prior arrangement. Check to see what size of group is acceptable. You may want to combine with other families or under a cover group like Boy Scouts or 4-H. For older students, consider volunteer work or an apprenticeship at a business of interest. There are even opportunities to start their own business. Several successful young entrepreneurs have documented their ventures into the business world in books and on web sites . . . well worth the research. Junior Achievement, Future Farmers of America are just a few career-oriented groups that may be of interest as well. Your local Chamber of Commerce may be a good place to start your search.
If you are part of a local home ed association, consider holding a career fair where each participant or family can research and present a display for a career of interest to them. You may want to invite guest speakers from various fields as well.
In all your career searches don't forget the most important career: raising a family. As a home educator, you are one of the best examples they'll find! Many good references, like Far Above Rubies can help your children explore this excellent path.
