K-5 Career Staff Resources

About the Role

This collection of resources introduces students to Michigan's Six Career Zones and foundational career readiness vocabulary, helping educators connect core academics with career awareness.

Resources

• Career Zones PowerPoint Presentation

  Introduces students to Michigan's Six Career Zones and career readiness vocabulary to build connections between academics and career preparation.

• Career Zones: Identifying the 6 Different Zones (Accessible Document)

  A multi-page document detailing Michigan's Six Career Zones. Available for download or online viewing.

• Common Career Development Vocabulary (Accessible Document)

  A multi-page document outlining key career readiness terms. Available for download or online viewing.

• Grades K-2: Reading Recommendations (Careers)

  Recommended books for career awareness, ideal for March Reading Month or integrating career topics with core academics.

  • Discussion Questions:
    • Through our reading, did you learn about any careers that are new to you? What did you learn about this career?
    • What are some careers people in your family have?
    • If you could have any career, what would it be?
  • Book Titles:
    • All Through the Night: Important Jobs That Get Done at Night – Polly Faber, Harriet Hobday
    • Career Day – Dr. Tia Palmer, Autumn Mahoney-McGilbra
    • What Do Grown-Ups Do All Day? – Virginia Morgand
    • There's a Hat for That!: Exploring Careers That Fit Your Best – Dr. Kevin J. Fleming, Iskar
    • What Do People Do All Day? – Richard Scarry
    • On the Farm, At the Market – G. Brian Karas
    • Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do – Kathryn Heling & Deborah Hembrook, Andy Robert Davies
    • All About Things People Do – Melanie & Chris Rice, Lesley Smith
    • Someone Builds a Dream – Lisa Wheeler, Loren Long
    • What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A-Z – Tiffani Teachey
• Grades 3-5: Reading Recommendations (Careers)

  Recommended books for career awareness, ideal for March Reading Month or integrating career topics with core academics.

  • Discussion Questions:
    • What are some of the careers or skills we read about? Why are they important?
    • What kind of workers do you see on a daily basis? What kind of tasks do they complete?
    • What is your dream career? Would you like to do any of the careers we read about?
  • Book Titles:
    • The Big Book of Jobs – Hana Mokrosova & Helena Harastova, Elena Pokaleva
    • Jobs of the Future – Sofia E. Rossi & Carlo Canepa, Luca Poll
    • STEM Careers from A-Z – Peyton Hoffman
    • Life Skills – Keilly Swift
    • Be Your Best Self: Life Skills for Unstoppable Kids – Danielle Brown & Nathan Kai
    • A-Z for Me: Life Skills for Kids – Mitzi Adams, Lindsey Jaeger
    • Resolving Conflict (Building Character) – Penelope S. Nelson
    • My Mixed Emotions – D.K. with Maureen Healy
    • Communication is More Than Words – Caylin N. Hunault, Sarah C. Dane
    • Extreme Science Careers – Ann O. Squire
• Activities
  • Family Tree: Explore the careers of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
  • Career Day Packet: A 33-page resource including:
    • A letter to parents
    • An art activity about chosen careers
    • Show and Tell
    • A word search
    • A graphic organizer for career research
  • Career Units Grades K-5: Various career readiness activities, including graphic organizers, literature, and games to enhance career awareness.
  • Career Awareness Resource List: An extensive list of resources and activities, including friendly competitions to earn Career Readiness funds.
• Activity Resources
  • Career Family Tree Worksheet
  • Career Day Activity Pack
  • Career Awareness Resources K-5
  • K-5 Activity Resources - Career Units