Comparing and contrasting careers

This lesson for grade six will help students understand comparing and contrasting. Students will conduct career surveys with adults and will use the results to create Venn diagrams.

An activity for grade 6 English Language Arts

By Jennifer Brookshire and Julie McCann

Provided by CareerStart

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CareerStart lessons: Grade six

This collection of lessons aligns the sixth grade curriculum in math, science, English language arts, and social studies with potential career opportunities.

Page 1.9

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Related topics

• Learn more about Venn diagrams, careers, and compare and contrast.

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Learning outcomes

The students will learn how to compare and contrast different careers.

Teacher planning

Materials needed

• Student handouts:
  • Home career survey — copied with one copy of the survey on the front of a page and one on the back
  • “Occupational Venn Diagram”
• Pencil

Time required for lesson

Approximately 50 minutes
Homework time will be needed to complete the home career survey prior to the lesson and the paragraph reflection at the end.

Procedure

1. The day before, or several days before the lesson, assign the home career survey for homework. Go over instructions for the survey with the students. The students should complete two surveys, each with a different adult. The adults can be parents or others. Surveys should be returned on the day of the lesson. (homework)
2. Conduct a class discussion about careers based on the information students obtained in their surveys. Students should have their surveys with them to discuss. (10 minutes)
3. Pass out the “Occupational Venn Diagram.” Go over comparing and contrasting with students and make sure they know how to record the information on the graphic organizer. If students are not familiar with Venn Diagrams, you may want to make this handout into an overhead for instruction. (10 minutes)
4. Students will record the details from their home career surveys on the Venn Diagram individually. (10 minutes)
5. After students have completed the Venn diagram, conduct a class discussion about similarities and differences in the two jobs from their interviews. This can be done as a whole class, in groups, or with a partner. (10 minutes)
6. Students will pick one of the careers from their Venn diagram and write which one they would prefer to have and why. (10 minutes — This may be completed for homework.)