Introduction to Pathways

Lesson Overview

Unit: Career Pathways Exploration (Lesson 1 of 10)
Year Level: Year 9
Duration: 60 minutes
Curriculum Area: Social Sciences – Economic World (Level 4)
Key Focus: Understanding career pathways and the importance of exploring different options for the future.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand what a career pathway is.
• Identify their interests, skills, and potential career options.
• Make connections between their learning and future career opportunities.

Key Competencies (NZ Curriculum)

• Thinking: Reflecting on personal interests and future aspirations.
• Managing Self: Developing self-awareness for career planning.
• Participating & Contributing: Engaging in discussions about possible career options.
• Relating to Others: Listening and sharing ideas with peers.

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Lesson Plan

1. Introduction & Hook (10 minutes)

Discussion Starter:
The teacher writes the question on the board:
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

1. Students pair up and discuss what careers they’ve thought about (no pressure to have a solid plan).
2. Gather responses and discuss as a class.
3. Teacher introduces the idea of “career pathways” and explains that they will explore different job options over the next 10 lessons.

NZ Connection:
Emphasise that in New Zealand, career pathways are flexible, and many people change careers multiple times throughout their lives. This aligns with the NCEA system, which allows students to tailor their learning to their future goals.

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2. Guided Exploration (15 minutes)

Activity: Career Pathways Brainstorm

• Hand out an A3 sheet to each student with “ME” in a bubble in the centre.
• Around this bubble, students write five things they enjoy doing (e.g., Playing sports, helping others, designing, problem-solving).
• Next to each of these, they add careers that could match their interests (e.g., Enjoys drawing → Graphic Designer, Architect).

Teacher prompts:

• “What hobbies or activities make you excited?”
• “What subjects do you enjoy at school?”
• “If money wasn’t a problem, what would you love to do every day?”

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3. Hands-On Activity: Career Explorer Game (20 minutes)

1. Four Corners Activity: Label four corners of the classroom with:

   • Arts & Humanities
   • Science & Technology
   • Business & Commerce
   • Trades & Industry

2. Read out career-related statements (e.g., “This job often involves working with numbers and people.”). Students move to the corner they think best applies.

3. Discuss why they made their choices. This activity helps students begin identifying where their interests fit in various career pathways.

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4. Reflection & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Students turn back to their brainstorm maps. Are there any new careers they learned about that fit their interests?
• Discuss as a class:
  • “What surprised you?”
  • “Did you discover a career you hadn’t thought of before?”
• Introduce the Ki hea rā? posters (if available) to show NZ-specific pathways connected to school subjects.

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5. Wrap-Up & Homework Task (5 minutes)

Exit Ticket:
On a sticky note, students write:

• One career they might want to research.
• One skill they think they need for the future.

Homework Task:
Students interview a family member about their job and how they got into it. They will share findings in the next lesson.

Teacher Note:
Encourage students to talk to different whānau members—this could highlight unexpected pathways, including those in Māori enterprises, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades.

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Assessment & Next Steps

• Informal assessment through participation in discussions and activities.
• Review sticky note responses to gauge student interests.
• In next lesson, students will dive deeper into specific industries and how NZ’s economy influences job opportunities.

This lesson sets the stage for further career exploration, connecting student strengths with real-world opportunities. 🚀