Exploring Futures Activities & Curriculum
6-8 Grade Curriculum Scope & Sequence 🍁
6th and 7th Grade Lesson Plans
(Each lesson plan requires 60 mins to complete)
Unit 1: Introduction to Exploring Futures
Unit 2: Early Career Exploration: Hats and Ladders
Digital First– Best for sites with reliable WiFi and individual devices
Paper Only– Best for sites that do not have technology access
Coaches can choose between Digital First and Paper Only lessons depending on their Climbers’ needs and the availability of technology.
3) Digital First: Which Me Am I? Paper Only: Top Values
4) Digital First: What is Work? Paper Only: What is Work?
5) Digital First: Explore Hats Paper Only: Explore Hats
6) Digital First: Financial Literacy 101 Paper Only: Financial Literacy 101
7) Digital First: Time Management 101 Paper Only: Own Your Story: Personal Branding 101
8) Digital First: From Hello to Hired Paper Only: My Career Growth
Unit 3: My Industry-Focused Pathways
In this unit, educators collaborate with students to select a pathway-focused unit on either STEM, Education, or Entrepreneurship.
9) Pathways Session 1
10) Pathways Session 2
11) Pathways Session 3
12) Pathways Session 4
13) Pathways Session 5
Unit 4: My Next Step
14) Exposure Event: Community Walk, Career Panel, or Field Trip
15) My Next Step: Showcase, Celebration and Reflection
8th Grade Lesson Plans
(Each lesson plan requires 60 mins to complete)
Unit 1: Introduction to Exploring Futures
Unit 2: Exploring My High School Choices
This unit supports 8th graders in the high school application process. Please note that computer use is needed for lessons 2-5.
These lessons require fall implementation. There will be different lessons posted for spring implementation of the 8th grade curriculum.
Unit 3: Financial Literacy
9) Digital First: Financial Literacy 101
Paper-Based: Financial Literacy 101
10) Financial Literacy: Your Future Life
11) Financial Literacy: Comparison Shopping
12) Financial Literacy: Why Saving is Important
13) Financial Literacy Let’s Make a Budget
Unit 4: My Next Step
14) Exposure Event: Community Walk, Career Panel, or Field Trip
15) My Next Step: Showcase, Celebration and Reflection
*If you need support accessing the Hats and Ladders platform, please send a ticket to the Hats and Ladders Help Desk and include your name, role, CBO, and site.
If additional time is available in the classroom, the following lesson is also available for implementation:
- Digital First: NYC Works Career Quest
Going on a career-connected field trip? Check out these activities!
- Before the field trip: Pre-Visit Connections
- During the field trip: Lesson Student-Led Interview and Lesson Student-Led Interview, or Lesson Scavenger Hunt
- After the field trip: Post-Visit Connections