Course Pacing Guides

The Soaring to New Heights curriculum is divided into the four following units, and utilizes aspects of both Guided Inquiry and Strategic Instruction as part of the instructional methodology.

Unit 1: Discovering my Wings
Guiding Question:  “What does it mean to be “SELF-Determined” and how can I begin to understand myself in those terms?”

GETTING ACQUAINTED…………………………………….………5 Class Sessions*
Lesson 1 Ice Breaker
Lesson 2 Course Overview;  *VR Counselor Intro

IDENTIFY STRENGTHS & GOALS………………………………..5 Class Sessions*
Lesson 3       IEP Conversation
                    Life at a Glance
                    Circle of Support
Lesson 4       Documenting Strengths
Lesson 5       Assessing Goals

ECONOMIC CASE FOR WORK………………………………………1 Class Session*
Lesson 6     Establishing the financial benefit of work; *Intro to VR Services

IEP EXPLORATION/ACCOMMODATIONS & ADVOCACY…..2 Class Sessions*
Lesson 7       IEP Scavenger Hunt/Roadmap
Lesson 8       Accommodations and Advocacy

DISABILITY AWARENESS……………………………………….….4 Class Sessions*
Lesson 9       ADA & IDEA Awareness
Lesson 10     Bill of Rights

ESTABLISHING LEARNING RITUALS……………………………2 Class Sessions*
Lesson 11     Effective Communication
Lesson 12     FACTS

PERSONAL SUCCESS………………………………………………5-6 Class Sessions*
Lesson 13     4 Steps to Personal Success
Lesson 14     V.R. Services and Students’ Transition - *VR Counselor
Lesson 15     Team Building

LEARNING ABOUT MYSELF……………………………………..4-5 Class Sessions*
Lesson 16       Vocational Skills and Interests/Kansas Career Pipeline
Lesson 17       Portfolio Development

Unit 2: Charting my Course
Guiding Question:  “Where do I want to go in life and what steps can I take that will help me get there?”

REFLECTING ON PROGRESS: (Floating lesson).....................One Day*
Floating Lesson   Classroom Field Trip         Place any day in Unit 2

DISABILITY HERITAGE & PRIDE….........................2 Class Sessions*
Lesson 1 KYEA presentation or
          Disability Heritage and Pride DVD
          **Follow up with V.R. Counselor

UNIT 2 OVERVIEW & VALUES….................................1 Class Session*
Lesson 2 Course Map, Unit 2 Organizer
          Identifying Life Values

MISSION STATEMENTS….......................................1 Class Session*
Lesson 3 Focus on Your Trip
          Soaring to New Heights Mission Statement
          Identifying your Roles

NARROWING TARGETED GOALS…............................1 Class Session*
Lesson 4 Soaring to New Heights Mission Statement
          Future Accomplishments

CRAFTING A MISSION STATEMENT…...................1-3 Class Sessions*
Lesson 5 Creating a Mission Statement
          Personal Mission Statement Review

SIGNIFICANCE OF GOAL SETTING…......................2-3 Class Sessions*
Lesson 6 Do It Goals
          Goal Setting Guidelines
          Goal Setting with “Rudy”

MAKING GOALS EFFECTIVE…................................1-2 Class Sessions*
Lesson 7 Roadblock/Obstacle Examples
          Goal Statement Exercise/Long Term Life Goal
          Obstacle Course

TIME MANAGEMENT….............................................1-2 Class Sessions*
Lesson 8 Making it Fit
          Prioritizing Time Scenarios
          Time Management Plan

Unit 3: Taking Flight
Guiding Question: “How can I share information about myself and build a team to support me in reaching my goals?”

CLASS FIELD TRIP (Floating Lesson)...........................................1 Day*
Floating Lesson   Classroom Field Trip           Place any day in Unit 3

COURSE REVIEW AND PREVIEW….........................1 Class Session
Lesson 1 Course and Unit Organizers including Vocabulary Review
          Class Culture Revisited and Bill of Rights [Guided Inquiry]

BUILDING MY RESUME…................................1-2 Class Sessions
Lesson 2 Resume Components
          Building My Resume

JOB INTERVIEWS….............................................4 Class Sessions
Lesson 3 Artifact Presentations
Lesson 4 Interviewing Tips
          Who would you rather hire?
Lesson 5 Practice Interviews
Lesson 6 Tough Personal Questions
          Room Language

APPLYING FOR A JOB….................................3-4 Class Sessions
Lesson 7 Filling out Job Applications
Lesson 8 Networking
          Transportation
Lesson 9 Workforce center and other on-line applications

CREATING MY TRANSITION PLAN…...................3 Class Sessions
Lesson 10 Becoming a Self Advocate
          Transition Planning
Lesson 11 Writing New Transition Plan
Lesson 12 Unit Wrap Up and Addition of Unit 3 Portfolio Items

Unit 4: Reaching My Destination
Guiding Question: “How can I get and keep the job I want and stay on track toward my goals?”

REFLECTING ON MY PAST & DREAMING ABOUT MY FUTURE……....1 Class
Lesson 1 Reflecting on Learning       Session
          My Accomplishments
          My Dream Job

JOB SEARCH ESSENTIALS……………………………………...1-2 Class Sessions
Lesson 2 Reading Want Ads
Lesson 3 Using the Internet to Find a Job

CIRCLE OF SUPPORT AND DISABILITY DISCLOSURE……….1 Class Session
Lesson 4 Circle of Support
          My Accommodations
          Types of Accommodations

RESEARCHING COMPANIES & COLLEGES…………………..1-2 Class Sessions
Lesson 5 Internet Research on a Company
          Internet Research on a College
          Fact-Finding Interview

STAYING ON TRACK………………………………………………..1-3 Class Sessions
Lesson 6 Company, College or Independent Living Field Trip
Lesson 7 My 5-Year Plan
Lesson 8 Portfolio Completion and Assembly

CELEBRATING SUCCESS………………………..………………..1-2 Class Sessions
Lesson 9 Post-assessments
Lesson 10 Completion of Course Celebration