MEFA Pathway Mega-Stage | Curriculum

Grade 6 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Creating My MEFA Pathway Profile	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Create their MEFA Pathway Account Learn about the features available in MEFA Pathway to support college and career exploration Update their Profile Details within MEFA Pathway	45 minutes
Developing My Study Skills	Academic Skills	Evaluate their current study habits Learn strategies to improve study skills Make a plan to improve their study habits for academic and future success	45 minutes
Creating Personal and Academic Goals	Academic Skills Social Emotional Learning	Learn about SMART goals and how to write them Understand the difference between academic and personal goal Create strategies to help them achieve their goals	45 minutes
Matching Interests to Careers	College & Career Exploration Social Emotional Learning	Explore the connection between interests and careers Connect their favorite school subjects to related careers Learn how to evaluate careers based on their core interests	75 minutes
Developing Decision-Making Skills	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about the importance of decisions and the impact they can make Understand the steps to making responsible decisions Reflect on how to make the best decisions	45 minutes

Grade 7 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Updating My MEFA Pathway Profile	Academic Skills, College & Career Exploration	Learn about the features on a resume Update their Profile Details within MEFA Pathway Make connections between their Profile Details and their plans for the future	30 minutes
Creating Career Goals	Social Emotional Learning, Academic Skills	Learn about SMART goals and how to write them Connect their career interests to future goals Create strategies to help them achieve their goals	30 minutes
Developing Career Interests	College & Career Exploration	Exploring careers based on subjects or activities they enjoy Identify on-the-job tasks related to specific work environments Identify education level & areas of knowledge needed for potential careers Identify a career category of interest	45 minutes
Growth Mindset	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about growth mindsets and fixed mindsets Compare the differences between the two mindsets Reflect on a time when they succeeded by having a growth mindset	45 minutes
Developing Healthy Relationships revised	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships Define key aspects of effective communication Identify communication skills that they can improve upon	60 minutes
Exploring Career Categories	College & Career Exploration	Learn about career categories and how they can use them to prepare for a career Connect their top interests and values to career categories Evaluate the career categories they’ve researched and choose one career that isthe most appealing Create an advertisement promoting the career they’ve researched	90 minutes
Discovering My Learning Style	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about the three learning styles Identify how they learn and remember information best Explore how their learning style can help them in school and on the job	45 minutes

Grade 8 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Updating My MEFA Pathway Profile	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Learn about the features on a resume Update their Profile Details within MEFA Pathway Make connections between their Profile Details and their plans for the future	30 minutes
Discovering the Discovery Zone	College & Career Exploration	Explore the Discovery Zone activities Learn about potential careers Understand the education level and areas of knowledge needed for potential careers Identify a career category of interest	45 minutes
Saving Careers to My Career List	College & Career Exploration	Discover the skills and education needed to perform a wide range of jobs Search for careers by keyword or category Create a balanced career list Formulate a plan for what they might study in the future	45 minutes
Creating a High School Road Map	College & Career Exploration Academic Skills	Learn how courses align with graduation requirements and post-high school plans Learn about CTE programs and determine if they will go to a vocational or technical high school Learn about MassCore requirements Review their favorite subjects Start to develop their course schedule based on graduation requirements and post-high school plans	45 minutes
Discovering Jobs and Employers	College & Career Exploration	Explore ways to find jobs Understand the different strategies to find a job Research potential employers within their community	60 minutes
Developing Financial Skills	Financial Literacy	Learn about the importance of saving and determine a personal savings plan Investigatedentify and evaluate money management skills Create financial goals	45 minutes
Preparing for the Transition to High School	Social Emotional Learning Academic Skills	Investigate courses that align with their favorite subjects, talents, and interests Identify questions and concerns they have about entering high school Explore clubs, activities, and other resources to help handle the transition to high school	45 minutes
Developing Self-Advocacy Skills	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about the concept of self-advocacy Identify situations in which they may need to advocate for themselves Develop strategies to effectively advocate for themselves	90 minutes

Grade 9 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
My Learning Style	Social Emotional Learning	Explore visual, auditory, and tactile learning styles Identify their preferred learning style Use their learning style to create an academic goal to support high school success	60 minutes
Making Goals and Action Plans	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about SMART goals and how to write them Connect what they’ve learned about SMART goals with their lives Evaluate the goal that they’ve written in order to determine if it is actually a SMART goal Create a plan of strategies that allows them to take steps that will keep them on target for achieving their goal	30 minutes
Applying Skills to a Career Category	Academic Skills	Learn about the difference between skills and technology skills Complete the What are Your Skills assessment Use their What are Your Skills assessment results to explore careers and identify a career category suited for them	45 minutes
My High School Resume	College & Career Exploration Academic Skills	Learn about the typical format and sections necessary for writing a resume Connect information from their own lives to the sections needed for their resume Learn why resumes are an important part of postsecondary planning Create a resume using the Resume Builder within MEFA Pathway	45 minutes
Exploring Options for After High School	College & Career Exploration	Identify and compare several postsecondary options Choose a postsecondary option based on their criteria that fits with their interests, experiences, and needs Develop criteria for analyzing postsecondary options Discuss criteria needed for making educational decisions	45 minutes
Applying Interests & Values to a Career Category	College & Career Exploration	Complete the What are Your Interests and What are Your Values assessments in MEFA Pathway Discover and learn about the results of their Interests and Values assessments Use the results of the assessments to explore career categories that are best suited for them	45 minutes
Demonstrate Awareness of Talents	Social Emotional Learning	Identify past accomplishments Identify the skills and talents used to achieve each past accomplishment Identify possible careers that utilize their skills and talents	45 minutes
Discovering the Importance of Career Fairs	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Learn about career fairs Determine which career fairs they are interested in attending Register for two onsite and/or virtual career fairs	45 minutes
Getting Work Experience	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Learn about the different types of work-experience Explore different ways they can get work experience while still in school Assess which type of work experience is best suited for their career interests and goals Generate a list of school offerings, including courses or specialized programs, that provide an opportunity to gain work-related experience	45 minutes
Securing a Financial Future	Financial Literacy	Identify their financial values Discover the importance of establishing a budget Learn how to create financial goals	45 minutes
Creating a Course Plan	Academic Skills	Identify what courses must be taken Create a course plan that meets graduation and MassCore requirements Add to the course plan throughout high school to stay on track Explore AP and Dual Enrollment options	60 minutes
What College Factors Are Important to You	College and Career Exploration	Identify college factors to consider Explore and discover factors that are important Search for colleges based upon preferences Save colleges to My College List to research further	45 minutes

Grade 10 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Finding Satisfying and Rewarding Jobs	College & Career Exploration	Complete the What are your Work Values assessment Contemplate if they agree with the results of the assessment Search for careers based on the results of the assessment	30 minutes
Making Goals and Action Plans	Social Emotional Learning Academic Skills	Learn about SMART goals and how to write them Connect what they’ve learned about SMART goals with their lives in three areas, academic, personal, and career in order to write one SMART goal for each area Evaluate the goals that they’ve written in order to determine if they are actually SMART goals Create a plan of strategies that allows them to take steps that will keep them on target for achieving their goals	45 minutes
Writing a Resume	College & Career Exploration	Learn about the typical format and sections necessary for writing a resume Connect information from their own lives to the sections needed for their resume Evaluate the information that they’ve gathered in order to organize and prioritize what will be included on their resume Create a resume using the Resume Builder within MEFA Pathway	45 minutes
Connecting Courses to Post-High School Plans	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Learn how courses align with graduation requirements and post-high school plans Develop a course schedule based on their goals	45 minutes
Learn About Standardized Tests & Customized Test Prep	Academic Skills College & Career Exploration	Learn about the two major standardized tests used by colleges during the admissions process Evaluate which test(s) they plan to take and their preparedness for the test by taking practice tests Create a plan for preparing for and taking the standardized test	45 minutes
Importance of College Fairs, Rep Visits, and College Tours	College & Career Exploration	Learn about college fairs, rep visits, and college tours Utilize MEFA Pathway’s Search Colleges section to create a list of colleges in which they are interested Take virtual tours and interact with college reps through colleges’ webpages Learn about the importance of interacting with colleges to show demonstrated interest	45 minutes
Workplace Skills and Values	Social Emotional Learning College & Career Exploration	Explore skills and behaviors employers look for and expect in their employees Explain why these employability skills are important Assess students own employability skills	60 minutes
Exploring Trending Careers	College & Career Exploration	Explore career categories and in demand careers Identify top skills required for corresponding career categories Explore top companies hiring for specific career categories	90 minutes
Exploring Options for After High Schoo l	College & Career Exploration Academic Skills	Learn about the various postsecondary pathways available Understand the differences between postsecondary programs Explore career options related to different types of postsecondary programs Evaluate their desired postsecondary pathway based on their interests,skills,and goals	45 minutes
Growth Mindset	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about growth mindsets and fixed mindsets Compare the differences between the two mindsets Reflect on a time when they succeeded by having a growth mindset	45 minutes

Grade 11 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Writing a Resume	College & Career Exploration	Learn about the typical format and sections necessary for writing a resume Connect information from their own lives to the sections needed for their resume Evaluate the information that they’ve gathered in order to organize and prioritize what will be included on their resume Create a resume using the Resume Builder on the website	45 minutes
Exploring Options for After High School	College & Career Exploration	Identify and compare several postsecondary options Choose a postsecondary option based on their criteria that fits with their interests, experiences, and needs Develop criteria for analyzing postsecondary options Discuss criteria needed for making educational decisions	45 minutes
Civic Participation	College & Career Exploration	Learn about community service. Connect their own interests to community service opportunities. Evaluate and complete any requirements associated with serving at the location of their choice. Create an entry in the My Profile and My Journal sections on the MEFA Pathway website	30 minutes
Standardized Test Preparation	Financial Literacy College & Career Exploration	Learn about the two major standardized tests used by colleges during the admissions process Research the standardized tests required by the colleges to which they intend to apply Evaluate which test(s) they plan to take and their preparedness for the test by taking practice tests Create a plan for preparing for and taking the standardized test	45 minutes
Scholarship Search	College & Career Exploration Financial Literacy	Learn the information that is needed to search for scholarships Connect their own culture, family background, interests, and activities to available scholarships Evaluate the scholarship opportunities that exist to help them achieve a post-secondary education	45 minutes
College Application Timeline	College & Career Exploration	Learn about the different steps of applying to college Hear other students’ experiences applying to college Develop an action plan for their senior year Determine the next steps to plan for their college and career	45 minutes
Letters of Recommendation	College & Career Exploration	Learn about letters of recommendation Evaluate who knows them well and would make good recommenders	30 minutes
Writing a Personal Essay	College & Career Exploration	Review the Common App essay prompts Review and reflect on sample essays Compose a draft essay for college admissions	30 minutes
Preparing to complete the FAFSA	Financial Literacy	Identify the colleges they are applying to and research each school’s financial aid requirements Learn about the FAFSA Learn how to create an FSA ID prior to completing the FAFSA	45 minutes
Learn about Types of Aid and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)	Financial Literacy	Learn how colleges and universities use the EFC to calculate the amount of financial aid a student is eligible to receive Use information from a sample student to practice calculating an EFC using the EFC Calculator Evaluate the EFC of the sample student and brainstorm ways the sample student could pay for college Research information required to complete their own EFC	45 minutes
What College Factors Are Important to You	College & Career Exploration	Identify college factors to consider Explore and discover factors that are important Search for colleges based upon preferences Save colleges to My College List to research further	45 minutes
Popular Places to Work	College & Career Exploration	Learn about factors that influence the labor market Explore areas of the United States with specific career concentrations Explore how demands for careers may shape their post-secondary plans	30 minutes
Learn How MassTransfer Can Help Save on the Cost of College	College & Career Exploration Financial Literacy	Learn about the cost-saving options of paying for college in Massachusetts Create a combination of a two-year and four-year college to determine a savings estimate Summarize their findings and share them with classmates	60 minutes
Career Back Up Plans	College & Career Exploration	Investigate careers related to those they have expressed interest in Learn about the importance of having a back-up plan Research career paths as a way to identify related careers	90 minutes
Writing a Cover Letter	College & Career Exploration Financial Literacy	Learn about cover letters Understand the basic structure of a cover letter Analyze what to include and exclude in a cover letter Create a cover letter	60 minutes
Making Goals and Action Plans	Social Emotional Learning	Learn about SMART goals and how to write them Connect what they’ve learned about SMART goals with their lives Evaluate the goal that they’ve written in order to determine if it is actually a SMART goal Create a plan of strategies that allows them to take steps that will keep them on target for achieving their goal	30 minutes
Building Your College List	College & Career Exploration	Learn to define Probable, Target, and Reach Schools Select colleges that fit into their Probable, Target, and Reach School lists Review the details of their favorite colleges Write a journal entry reflecting on their college list	45 minutes

Grade 12 Curriculum

Lessons	Domains	Objectives	Duration
Understanding Loans	Financial Literacy	Learn the difference between federal and private loans and how they are different from other forms of financial aid Review the details of federal loans and find a private loan Evaluate the differences between the federal and private loans they’ve researched Create a comparison chart that details the differences in the loans and write a reflection about the one they find most suitable for their situation	45 minutes
Building Your College List	College & Career Exploration	Learn to define Probable, Target, and Reach schools Select colleges that fit into their Probable, Target, and Reach School lists Review the details of their favorite colleges Write a journal entry reflecting on their college list	45 minutes
Writing a Personal Essay	College & Career Exploration	Review the Common App essay prompts Review and reflect on sample essays Compose a draft essay for college admissions	30 minutes
Senior Year College Planning Checklist	College & Career Exploration	Review the senior year timeline Learn the steps of applying for college Learn about deadlines and guidelines Listen to peers’ experiences applying to college	45 minutes
Applying Personal Criteria to the Scholarship Search	College & Career Exploration	Learn how to collect information about their culture, family background, interests, and activities Connect their own culture, family background, interests, and activities to available scholarships Evaluate the opportunities that exist to help them achieve a post-secondary education Create a presentation that demonstrates an understanding of their own background and scholarships available	30 minutes
Preparing for Interviews	College & Career Exploration Financial Literacy	Learn about the different types of interviews Explore ways to prepare for an interview Practice answering common interview questions	90 minutes
Career Back Up Plans	College & Career Exploration	Investigate careers related to their goals Identify alternate career paths	90 minutes
Writing a Cover Letter	College & Career Exploration	Learn about cover letters Find out the basic structure of a cover letter Analyze what to include and exclude in a cover letter Create a cover letter	45 minutes
Transition to College	College & Career Exploration Social Emotional Learning	Students will learn about what they need to do after making their final college decision in preparing for the transition to college Students will learn about organizing and managing deadlines	45 minutes
Practicing Interview Questions	College & Career Exploration	Students will be introduced to 6 commonly asked interview questions Students will practice answering interview questions to be better prepared for real-world interviews	45 minutes
Building Your Personal Brand	Social Emotional Learning College & Career Exploration	Students will learn about a personal brand and how to market oneself for college, career, and the future Students will review the My Profile details in MEFA Pathway Students will update the 12th grade resume Students will learn about how to create a cover letter or a LinkedIn Profile	45 minutes
Applying to College with MEFA Pathway	College & Career Exploration	Students learn how to connect with MP and Common App accounts Students will learn how to request letters of rec. in MP	30 minutes
Comparing Financial Aid Offers to Help Make a Final Decision	College & Career Exploration Financial Literacy	Learn about different types of financial aid to help comprehend financial aid offers Utilize MEFA Pathway’s College Cost Calculator and Loan Cost Estimator to calculate a personalized cost gap at each college they were accepted to	45 minutes