Overview

Estimated Time: 2 Class Periods
Unit: High School In Focus
Lesson: 4.2
Theme: Imagining Your High School Graduation

Students begin envisioning their future by exploring what high school graduation represents and the accomplishments that lead to that milestone. Through the creation of a personalized graduation stole and graduation card, students reflect on the goals they hope to achieve during high school and beyond while learning about Indiana's diploma options. By connecting their aspirations to tangible graduation traditions, students develop a clearer understanding of how today's choices contribute to future educational and career success.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson students will:

Identify personal goals related to high school achievement and postsecondary plans.
Explain the different Indiana diploma options and determine which diploma currently aligns with their goals.
Design a personalized graduation stole that represents accomplishments they hope to achieve before and after high school graduation.
Present their graduation stole and graduation card while communicating their current educational and career aspirations.

Indiana Standards

PCC-4.3 – Create and revise career-related materials that communicate personal strengths, interests, and goals.

PCC-5.1 – Develop an educational plan aligned with personal interests and career aspirations.

PCC-5.2 – Demonstrate the ability to locate, interpret, and apply information from career and educational resources.

PCC-5.4 – Use educational planning resources to make informed academic and career decisions.

Before You Begin:

Student Materials

Device with internet access
High school course guide
"My Graduation Stole" sheet
"Graduation Card" sheet
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Writing materials (pen or pencil)

Teacher Preparation

Print copies of the "My Graduation Stole" sheet and "Graduation Card" sheet.
Gather colored pencils, crayons, or markers for students to design their graduation stoles.
Review the graduation regalia examples and prepare images of graduation stoles, cords, and other graduation attire to introduce the lesson.
Review the diploma options outlined in your school's high school course guide and be prepared to discuss the requirements for each.
Prepare materials (rubber bands, ribbon, or string) for rolling and storing completed graduation stoles before student presentations.

Lesson Flow

Hook / Warm-Up (Graduation Regalia Discussion)
Mini Lesson: Understanding Diploma Options
Designing My Graduation Stole
Completing the Graduation Card
Graduation Presentations and Reflection

Student Work Products

Students will complete:

"My Graduation Stole" sheet
"Graduation Card" sheet
Graduation stole presentation

External Resources

High school course guide
Graduation regalia examples

Teacher Tips

Emphasize that this activity is about envisioning a possible future, not making permanent decisions. Encourage students to think about what they hope to accomplish during high school and the opportunities they would like to pursue after graduation, while reminding them that goals and plans often evolve over time. As students design their graduation stoles, celebrate creativity and personal meaning rather than artistic ability, and reinforce that there are many successful pathways after high school.

Lesson 4.2 - Imagining Your Graduation