School Counselor: Aubrey Manmiller
Date: 2/28/2020
Activity Title: All About College! A group for first generation students
Grade/ Level: 9th-12th
Program Goals: In this group we will learn all about the college application process. What is
the ACT? What is the FAFSA? What’s the difference between a 4-year degree and a PhD? What
is accreditation? Are loans free money? All those questions (and more) will be considered.
Duration: 3 group sessions for 50 minutes each.
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will grow their college and career school self-efficacy.
2. Students will learn about the college application process.
3. Students will gain skills to navigate the college search process.
ASCA Mindset Standards: M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed and M 4. Understanding
that postsecondary education and life-long learning are necessary for long-term career success
ASCA Behavior Standards: B-LS 4., B-LS 5., B-LS 7., B-MS 3., B-SS 1., and B-SS 2.
Pennsylvania Standards (CEW, Standards for Interpersonal Skills and/or academic
standards): Academic Standards for Career Education and Work - 13.1.A., 13.1.B., 13.1.G.,
and 13.1.H.
Materials: College Vocabulary Bingo Sheet (small prizes for bingo), College Up! Activity
Sheet, laptops if available, and pencils/pens.
Session Procedure:
Week 1: The school counselor will welcome students and explain “For the next 3 weeks we will
be learning more about college, especially about applying to college, how to pay for college, and
how to research colleges. Explain, “The first thing we are going to do is learn some of the
vocabulary you will need to know as we research colleges. After that we’ll spend time learning
more about individual colleges and majors. Finally, we’re going to share what we’ve learned and
learn from each other.”
Week 2: The school counselor will welcome students to their room and have students log into a
computer. Encourage the class to locate the following parts of a college website:
• Admissions
• Tuition and Fees
• Information about residence life
• Undergraduate Majors (demonstrate how to find the list and how to click on a hyperlink to
learn about a particular major)
• Financial Aid
After going over the components of a college website as a group, explain “for the rest of our time
today we’re going to work on our College Up! activity sheets. I will be walking around to answer
any questions and research with you.” Work with scholars to grow their ability to navigate their
colleges’ websites and answer the questions on their College Up! activity sheets. When there is
10 minutes remaining, it is time for discussion!
Question 1: One of the most exciting parts about researching colleges is learning
about all of the opportunities open to you. What is something exciting you’ve
discovered?
Summary 1: Every single college is different. Colleges have different personalities,
different price tags, and different majors, but one thing they have in common is that
a college education can open doors.
Question 2: How has what you’ve learned today changed how you think about
college?
Week 3: The school counselor will welcome students and explain, “For the first 10/15/20
minutes we’re going to finish our research. Then we will circle up to share what we’ve learned.”
When research is finished, invite students to form a circle around the perimeter of the classroom.
During the past two weeks we’ve learned a lot about college. Today we’re
going to share what we’ve learned about individual colleges and majors with each
other.
Going around the circle, or popcorn style, provide thoughtful space for students to
share what they have learned about the college and major they researched. If students do not ask
questions, model intentional listening and questioning to
increase these skills.
i. Why is this topic important for ourselves and our community?
ii. What difference did our time together today make?
iii. What will change because of our learning?
Differentiation Considerations:
Presentation Accommodations:
o Work with fewer items per page or line and/or material in a larger print size.
o Have a designated reader
o Use visual presentations of verbal material, such as word webs and visual
organizers
Setting Accommodations:
o Work in a different setting, such as a quiet room with few distractions
o Allow the student to sit where he/she learns best
o Use sensory tools for fidgety kids
Timing Accommodations:
o Take more time to complete a task
o Have extra time to process oral information and directions
o Take frequent breaks (i.e., after completing a task)
Follow-up Strategies: After the group has ended the school counselor will meet with
students individually to see where students are at with their college and career planning
process. Meeting with students individually allows the counselor to see how else they can
help the student prepare for postsecondary opportunities.
ASCA Domain in Focus: Career Development
Data Collection Strategies: I created a survey for students to complete after the group ends in
order to see if the activities were helpful, they learned something new in regards to the college
process, and for them to give suggestions to add to this group to make it a positive experience for
other students. The responses from the survey allowed me to see what was helpful what was not
and to make the necessary changes when implementing this group again.
1. Participation (formerly process) – Who participated in what activities? – Students in 11th grade
who are interested in the college process. First, I met with students who are interested in going to
college. I explained what the group would consist of and then students who wanted to participate
took home a from to get signed by both them and their caregiver.
2. Mindsets & Behaviors (formerly perception) – What did they learn in the activities? – Overall,
students learned more about college, especially about applying to college, how to pay for
college, and how to research colleges.
3. Outcome (no change) – How did the learning affect achievement, attendance or discipline? –
This group has the potential to positively affect students in regards to seeing what college is
about, if college is right for them, and figuring out what majors can be pursued at the different
colleges.
References:
Daniels, S. (2018). College and Career Life Skills Growing Lesson. Retrieved from
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
