Check out Goggle Lit Trips and Lit2Go...

I took class with Jerome Berg called "Goggling with Jerome."  I learned how to do much better goggle searches and also many other ways Goggle can help me as a teacher.  I also found out about Jerome's project Google Lit Trips.  Google Lit Trips uses literature books like the Grapes of Wrath, Night, Frankenstein, Anne Frank,  Into the Wild, the Kite Runner and Google Maps

I recently visited the Goggle Lit Trips web site and found out that Jerome has a CUE (Computer Using Educator's) Outstanding Teacher Award and is a Apple Distinguished Educator.  :)

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How to Write your First Resume and Cover Letter Lesson

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

Vineyard High School

Job Applications, Resumes, and Cover Letters

Course #87001

Student______________________________________________       Student Number________________________ Certification:  To the best of my knowledge this report has been kept as required by law and in accordance with the instruction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Final Grade ____________                      Credits Earned ____1______   Date ___________________________ Teacher Signature__________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives:  

1.  to explore and then compare two job search websites

2.  to interview an adult who has a job that you would like to learn more about

3.  to practice writing a resume with a cover letter and filling out a sample job application

These 8 assignments are due at your first meeting with your teacher in August.

assignment	completed	Teacher’s Initials
1. comparison of 2 job websites
2. paragraph explaining the most helpful website
3. informational interview questions (typed)
4. informational interview answers
5. paragraph about interview
6. your resume (typed)
7. your cover letter  (typed)
8. your job application

1.  Job websites

Explore at least two job search websites such as snagajob.com, craigslist.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, etc.  See what help, advice and jobs these websites have to offer.  Compare these websites by listing at least five features that are similar and at least two features that are different.  Make a list of these similarities and differences on a separate sheet of paper.  Write these similarities and differences in complete sentences not just phrases.   Your list can be organized in a chart like this:

name of website:	name of website:
5 similarities of two job web sites	2 differences between two job websites

2. Write a paragraph explaining which website you think is more helpful to you and why.

3.  Informational interview questions

Type up at least ten informational interview questions to guide you when you interview an adult who has a job that you want to know more about.  Some sample questions are:  

1. What are the skills and requirements needed to do your job?  

2. What are the personality traits needed to be successful in your job?  

4. Informational interview answers

Set up a time to interview the adult and ask that person the questions you have prepared.  Make sure you say thank you at the end of the interview.  

5.  Paragraph about interview

Write a minimum of one paragraph explaining what you learned from the person.

6.  Your resume

Look at the two sample resumes that follow.   There is a lot of information in books and online about how to write a resume.  These samples are included here because they show what a high school student’s resume could look like.  

If you don’t have volunteer or paid work experience, research two jobs that a high school student may have.  For example, Courtesy Clerk at Safeway, Barista at Starbucks, Food Server at Burger King, Sales Associate at Kohl’s. Find out what skills are needed to do these jobs and use these to type a sample resume.  See the two sample resumes that follow on pages 5 and 6 to give to ideas.

• Under work experience you can include volunteer work you have done.  Below the job and volunteer titles and dates, write the duties and accomplishments as active, interesting phrases.  Usually people write these phrases starting with verbs like  sold, managed, assisted, etc.    
• Include skills you learned in school too.  See the two sample resumes that follow on pages 5 and 6.
• Since your resume is shorter than an adult’s resume, include your references at the bottom of the page.  Ask three people who are familiar with your work if they would be willing to be a reference.  Don’t include relatives.  
• Type your resume and then ask an adult for feedback.  Make any changes that you need to make.  

7.   Your cover letter

Look at the sample cover letter and type a cover letter for a job you would like to have someday.   See the sample cover letter below.  It is a good idea to look at other samples in books or online as well.  Usually cover letters are three short paragraphs.  

• The first paragraph states which job the person is applying for.  

• The second paragraph explains how the person’s skills, background and education fit into the job.  

• The third paragraph is usually:  “I have enclosed a copy of my resume.  Please let me know if you need additional information.”

Type and show the cover letter to an adult.  Have that person make corrections and give you feedback.  Make any changes that you need to make.

Date

Name, manager

Company

address

City, State  zip code

re:  food server job opening

Dear Mr. or Mrs. Name

I am applying to be a food server in your restaurant.

I have learned how to operate a cash register, keep work spaces clean, organized and stocked.  I know how to take food orders quickly and accurately, and I work well both alone and as part of a team.

I have enclosed a copy of my resume.  Let me know if you need additional information.

Sincerely,

Name

address

City, State  zip code

phone number

email address

8.  Sample job application

Fill out a sample job application by getting a sample online by searching for “sample job applications.”  You can also get a sample on the Vineyard High School website or get a real application from a place that you are interested in working at.  Write your answers on binder paper first so the job application will be neat.  Fill out the job application in blue or black ink.  

Name

Street Address

City, Sate  zip code

email address

Work Experience

Sales Associate,  House of Fabics, Livermore, CA September 2010-current

assist customers with purchases

stock and organize fabric, craft and other items

operate cash register

Lifeguard,  Robert Livermore Community Center Pool June 2010-August 2010

teach swimming and water safety to children ages 2 - 10

communicate students’ progress to parents

keep accurate records for the Red Cross

Babysitter,   Livermore, CA   September 2009-current

responsible for two toddlers on a regular basis

plan meals, organize outings to the park, reading and nap time

Other Skills

knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

type 45 WPM

fluent in English and Spanish

Education

Vineyard High School, Livermore, CA 94550 Class of 2012

1401 Almond Avenue

925.606.4756

References

Name, Store Manager, House of Fabrics, phone number, email address

Name, high school teacher, phone number, email address

Name, neighbor, phone number, email address

Name

Phone: 925-XXX-XXX

Cell Phone: 925-XXX-XXXX

E-mail: FirstNameLastName@gmail.com

Education

Livermore High School, Class of 2011

GPA of 4.077, coursework included: Honors English 9 and 10, Honors World History, AP English Literature

Work Experience

Café Worker, Ofelia’s Kitchen                              June 2008 to current

Managed the café in Ofelia’s absence

Handled cleaning the shop and closing at the end of the day

Made sandwiches, restocked supplies, operated cash register, and attended to customers on the phone and in person

Administrative Assistant Intern, Unified Grocers June 2010 to August 2010

worked in the Advertising and Procurement Department in the Livermore office

proofed ads for member stores

arranged data into Excel spreadsheets, and completed clerical work.

       

Administrative Assistant, Pregnancy Resource Center Sept. 2009 to April 2010

Helped rewrite curriculum, created and arranged the layouts of brochures using programs on the computer

Tutor, East Avenue Middle School March 2010 to June 2010

Copied and compiled homework assignments for 8th grade history and English students

tutored an 8th grade class in Algebra

spoke to class about the importance of AP/Honors courses and doing one’s best in high school

Other Accomplishments

Writer and Proofreader for Livermore High School’s newspaper August 2010 to current

Attended Close Up Foundation educational trip to Washington D.C., May 2010

Girl Scouts member, 2009 to current

Ballet dancer at Livermore School of Dance, 2009 to current

Writer, “The Boy and the Ladybug” published in school’s literary magazine, June 2009

Recipient of Teacher Recognition Award from German Teacher, March 2009

Member of high school marching band and drumline, 2007-2008

Church band member and drummer, 2007 to current

Church dance team member/co-leader/choreographer, 2006 to current

Graduate of Youth Police Academy, Summer of 2004

Synchronized Swimming member, 2003-2008

References

First and Last Name, Human Resources Manager, Unified Grocers, 925-XXX-XXXX

Ofelia Gomez, Business Owner, Ofelia’s Kitchen, 925-449-5162

"Guide on the side or sage on the stage"

On of my favorite teacher friends, Claude, says he would rather be a "guide on the side than a sage of the stage."   I want to record (make at least one short educational video of him teaching an economics concept) because he is so good at drawing students in to contribute to the discussion.  Claude is like Socrates.  He also makes the students feel like they are smart, know stuff and can contribute.

Enchiladas by Lidl

I took this photo before baking.  I should post a photo of what it looks like after baking.

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion
olives
flour tortillas (we tried corn and it didn't work as well.  It became soupy and mushy and wasn't a great texture.
cheddar cheese
enchilada sauce
optional:  corn

Saute onion.  Add beef and brown the beef.  Add one can of olives, chopped or save the olives for later and putting on top of the cheese layer.  Take the tortillas and fill with the meat, the optional corn, onion, olives and 1/2 of the cheese.  Roll and place enchiladas side by side in a oven proof baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over all and top with grated cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Pros and Cons of Online Education

The journalist, David Brooks, wrote a column titled:  The Campus Tsunami.  Online education is a tsunami and "what happened to the newspaper and magazine business is about to happen to higher education: a rescrambling around the Web."

Studies show that gathering to discuss and study together keeps the students motivated.  It is easy to sign up for a class, but sticking with it is challenging.  People need people.  John Donne:  "No Man is an Island. "

Getting Vitamin N means spending time in Nature

I read an article that called spending time in nature Vitamin N.  Studies show that people are happier, heal faster, and have a better memory if they spend time in nature.

8 lessons from Jazz in America to use in a U.S. History classroom

I found an American Music workbook and CD at school and turned it into a 2.5 credit independent study high school elective class.  It makes me happy to see so many students taking the class I wrote. The teachers like it too.

This reminded me that I once heard about a U.S. History and Jazz Curriculum from T.S. Monk.  T.S. Monk told us teachers about it at a National Gallery of Art Summer Teacher Institute.  Monk came and talked to us and performed on the drums for us.  I recently looked up the Jazz in America curriculum that he was talking about and found out that there are 8 lessons (50 minutes or so long) for 5th grade, 8 lessons for 8th grade and 8 lessons for 11th grade.  They look great.  The audio snippets and photos make me want to try these lessons. I will let you know.  This is the current location of the lessons:

http://www.jazzinamerica.org/