Michelle Sake

Name: “2019-2020 Course Selection for Pennridge High School”

Authors: Shannon O’Sullivan and Lori D’Angelo

For this lesson my site supervisor and I used a previously used presentation with some

adjustments made for this specific group of students. We came up with a plan to go into the

Pennridge Middle Schools and teach the 8th grade students about course selection for going to

high school. This lesson is important for all the 8th grade in order for them to be able to complete

course selection for their upcoming 9th grade school year at Pennridge High School.

The lesson plan was created from a previous year’s PowerPoint presentation with a few

changes made to it to fit this year’s lesson. Mrs. O’Sullivan (supervisor) and Mrs. D’Angelo

(other senior counselor) were the authors of the presentation.

Lesson Plan

Objectives

What will the students learn, understand, discuss, collect, measure, or develop from

participation in this lesson/activity?

The lesson goal is to provide the 8th grade students with all the information needed for

completing course selection for Pennridge High School. Students will learn who their counselors

are for their class during the 4 years they are in high school, Lori D’angelo (students with last

names A-L) and Shannon O’Sullivan (students with last names M-Z). Students will understand

dates and a timeline that is needed to know for the opening of course selection and deadlines

courses need to be selected by. Students will learn about different courses that are available to

them, and also how many courses they should be taking in order for them to earn their high

school diploma their senior year. Students will be encouraged to participate in this lesson by

talking about different activities or clubs they plan on participating in while in the high school.

Essential Questions

These are questions connected to the SAS framework and are specifically linked to the

Big Ideas. They should frame student inquiry, promote critical thinking, and assist in learning

transfer.

What classes should I be taking that best fit my academic goals?

How many credits do I need to graduate at the end of my 4 years and how do I calculate

them?
 What do I need to do to be able to do my best while I’m in high school?

Vocabulary

What new vocabulary will be introduced in this lesson/activity?

Students will be introduced to different vocabulary including the meaning of credits and

what an elective is. They will also hear about different classes offered at the high school that

some students may have never heard before. Students are introduced to their counselors a who

will also be new to them.

Duration

What is the length of time needed for this lesson/activity?

We will need at least 40 minutes for the lesson and activity.

Materials

What materials will be needed for this lesson/activity?

A computer and projector to present presentation will be needed.

Course selection worksheet given to students by the middle school counselors.

Related Materials & Resources

List the related materials and resources you used to develop this lesson/activity.

Pennridge High School’s website was used to show students where to find the curriculum

description and also the lists of clubs at the high school. Also, used was a reference to

PowerSchool website which is where students will choose their courses.

Classroom Developmental Guidance Lesson Plan

Unit Title: 2019-2020 Course Selection for Pennridge High School

PA or ASCA Standard or Indicator:

A:A2.4 Apply knowledge and learning styles to positively influence school performance

A:A3.3 Develop a broad range of interests and abilities

A:A3.4 Demonstrate dependability, productivity and initiative

A:B1.5 Organize and apply academic information from a variety of sources

Lesson Objective:

The lesson goal is to provide the 8th grade students with all the information needed for

completing course selection.

# of Lessons in Unit: 1

Lesson Number: 1

Grade Level: 8th

Time Required: 40 minutes

Procedures:

Students will learn about graduation requirements. This includes the minimum of credits

that are needed for students to graduate, and how many credits are required for each subject to

graduate. Students need a minimum of 24 total credits to graduate.

 English -4 credits
Social Studies-3 credits **
Science -3 credits
Math-3 credits
Humanities -1.5 credits
Creative & Perf. Arts -.5 credits
General Electives-7 credits
Wellness/Phys Ed/Health-2 credits
**A Social Studies Credit will be chosen their senior year which will count towards an
elective.
There is also information provided about the differences, and what to expect when taking

academic courses, honors courses, and AP courses. A student needs to be recommended by their

8th grade teachers to be able to take honors courses or AP courses. During the lesson there is an

example on how to go into the recommendation from your teachers and sign up for the AP or

honors course. There is also a discussion on what a typical 9th grade schedule will look like and

how many credits they should be taking their 9th grade year.

Students will learn about what an elective is and what it means while choosing their

courses. During course selection students need to pick 2 alternate elective courses just in case

they do not get into their first pick elective course. There is a stress about how important this is

due to the fact that there are 2,400 students needed to schedule for electives and they will not

always get their first-choice course.

Students should have been given a course selection worksheet by their middle school

guidance counselors. This worksheet includes all the courses offered in each subject and also if

they would count towards an elective credit. Each student is required to complete this worksheet

after the lesson. The student will then meet with the guidance counselor in the middle school to
help complete the worksheet and talk about their courses they selected. In a couple of weeks high

school guidance counselors will also go down to help them with any more questions they may

have about the courses before they select them. Each student is also instructed to read the course

description, so they know what they are signing up for and they do not overwhelm themselves

with work that they may not be able to handle.

The students learn about when school starts, 7:15AM, and commences, 2:15PM. The

lesson discusses how in high school students will be expected to complete more work at home

than previously in middle school. There is an emphasis on more responsibility held by the

students, and if they need help there is tutoring provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays after

school.

Also, there is a big emphasis on becoming involved while students are at the high school.

In the lesson we will discuss how many clubs and activities are available for the students to

participate in. They are instructed to get involved in something at the high school because it will

help them in their future careers and college applications. The biggest thing for these students to

know is that everything starts for them in 9th grade, so they should make the first year at the high

school a top priority!

During the lesson students are asked what they are going to get involved in at the high

school. Students that raise their hand with an answer of a club, activity, or sport that they will

participate in will get a pair of Pennridge sunglasses, a t-shirt, or a cell phone case.

Evaluation:

To be able to see if students have received the information correctly, they will be able to

complete course selection without issue. They will also be able to navigate their schedule in the
upcoming school year, and they will get involved in clubs, sports, or activities offered at the high

school. Students will be able to complete the worksheet given to them and be able to enter the

student portal and sign up for the classes that they have selected.

Cited Source for Lesson Plan Model:

PDE SAS. (n.d.). Sample Lesson Plan. Retrieved from http://www.psca-

web.org/aws/PSCA/asset_manager/get_file/106003/sample_lesson_plan.pdf