My Talents
My Talents
LESSON ONE
YEAR LEVEL
7
PURPOSE
• To explore student interests and talents
• To reflect on student values
RATIONALE
This lesson aims to have students identify their interests and
talents as a basis for considering future training options. At this
early stage of career development students need to spend some
time becoming more aware of the potential within themselves
as the basis for a successful learning and training plan.
TIMEFRAME
1 Hour
DELIVER Y MODE
TERMINOLOG Y CHECKLIST
You may wish to pre-teach
these words before the
lesson or refer to them
during the lesson. The
checklist is not exhaustive
and a list displaying these
words and their meanings
should be available to all
students during the lesson.
CONCEPTS TO COVER
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Classroom activity. Use of myfuture website
Goals - aims or tasks we set ourselves to help us achieve a set purpose
Short-term goals - tasks you would complete in three to six months
Medium-term goals – tasks you would complete in six months to
one year
Long-term goals – more than two years from now
Value - part of our belief system; an idea, action or item of personal
worth to us
Talent - something you are naturally good at and enjoy doing, like
drawing, singing, dancing or using technology
Quality - a characteristic you have, such as a good listener, talker, happy
Skill - the ability to do a particular task that comes from natural
aptitude, training or practice
• List of talents that students have developed which will assist them
when developing a Pathways Plan.
• List of student values to help them to underpin their career
development planning
• Identify student qualities that will help them become more aware
of their skills, talents and abilities
• Set short and long-term goals for students’ learning
Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 1 of 7
My Talents
BRAINSTORM ACTIVITY
20 M INUTES
CONCEPT QUESTIONS
10 M INUTES
ACTIVITY 1
20 M INUTES
FOLLOW UP TASK
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Using a mind mapping activity ask students to identify all the skills,
talents and qualities in the classroom. Students should be encouraged
to use positive reinforcement during this activity to highlight the
special skills, talents and qualities of all students, regardless of their
academic potential. This activity aims to match - where possible - the
skills, talents and personal attributes to a potential occupation
For example:
Skill - great at soccer; plays in school team
Talent - excellent physical coordination
Quality – good listener and communicator
Possible Career Option – lifestyle coach/personal trainer
This activity could be completed in pairs, with students asked to
identify future career options for their partners. If possible, aim for at
least one example for each Skill, Talent and Quality
•
•
•
•
•
What has been my learning journey so far?
What do l value in my life?
What would l like to change in my life?
What are some goals l would like to set for my life?
How will l achieve these goals?
• Students complete Handout 1 My Skills,Talents and
Qualities.
• Students complete Handout 2 My Life and What l
Value
Ask students to reflect on their findings from these activities. Using
the information from the handouts, students set three short-term
goals they would like to achieve before the end of Year 8 and three
long-term goals they would like to achieve in the next five to 10
years. These goals could be both school based and personal
Students use myfuture (http://www.myfuture.edu.au) to complete
an interest inventory of their interests, skills and talents. Students
will need to register their details to create a user account before
undertaking the interest test. Ask students to print out a list of
possible occupations that have been identified for them using this
tool. They will need to use the site’s My Guide section and the
“Identifying” link to develop their interest profile.
Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 2 of 7
My Talents
RESOURCES FOR
THIS LESSON
VELS APPLICATION
Level 5
Handouts 1 and 2
Access to MyFuture: http://www.myfuture.edu.au
STRAND
DOMAIN
DIMENSION
Physical, personal
and social learning
Personal learning
The individual learner
Managing personal learning
Discipline-based learning
The humanities - economics
Economic knowledge
and understanding
Interdisciplinary learning
Communication
Listening, viewing and
responding
Design, Creativity and
Technology
Analysing and evaluating
Information and
communications
technology
ICT for visualising thinking
Thinking processes
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Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 3 of 7
Reasoning processing
and inquiry
My Talents
Task 1
Look at the two lists on the following pages. Read down the list of skills and qualities and circle the
ones that apply to you. You might like to include some others that you feel are missing.
When you have finished, write down five things you think you have a natural talent in.
WHAT ARE YOUR SKILLS?
Circle ones that apply to you. Fill in the empty boxes with other skills you can identify in yourself
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALITIES?
Circle ones that apply to you. Fill in the empty boxes with other qualities you can identify in yourself
• Working with your hands
• Using the telephone
• Drawing
• Keeping records/CDs/magazines/books
in order
• Using numbers to solve problems
• Working in a group
• Budgeting
• Showing others how to do things
• Using computers
• Reading
• Fixing things
• Dancing
• Working with small instruments
• Neat and tidy
• Photography
• Manage time well
• Sport
• Getting things done
• Crafts, sewing, knitting
• Swimming
• Gardening
• Using equipment
• Following a pattern
• Learning a language
• Understanding graphs and diagrams
• Understanding written instructions
• Writing stories or poems
• Cooking and preparing meals
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Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 4 of 7
My Talents
• Understanding people’s feelings
• Being patient
• Talking easily to people you meet
• Being persistent
• Listening to people
• Being a good sport
• Thinking quickly
• Being energetic
• Encouraging others
• Keeping healthy
• Keeping to a regular routine
• Caring for animals
• Helping others to understand
• Caring for the environment
• Staying calm in an emergency
• Thinking ahead
• Standing up for yourself
• Expressing your feelings
• Helping other people
• Motivating yourself
• Working alone
• Motivating others
• Co-operating with others
• Being open minded
• Taking responsibility
• Being optimistic
• Taking a leading role
• Initiating something
• Persuading others
• Negotiating
• Amusing others
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 5 of 7
My Talents
Circle ones that apply to you. Fill in the empty boxes with other qualities you can identify in yourself
Five things I have a natural talent in...
MY BEST SKILLS
MY GOOD
SKILLS
SKILLS I NEED
SKILLS I AM
STILL LEARNING TO DEVELOP
SKILLS I DON’T
HAVE
MY BEST
QUALITIES
MY GOOD
QUALITIES
QUALITIES
I HAVE
SOMETIMES
QUALITIES I
DON’T HAVE
QUALITIES
I NEED TO
DEVELOP
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Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 6 of 7
My Talents
Below are two tables to fill in. Use the Skills and Qualities you have identified to help you fill in the
tables when you have finished share your answers with a friend.
WHAT I VALUE
WHAT THIS MEANS
Risk-taking
You are happy to have a go at most things
Quiet
You work and live best in a quiet place
Independence
You like to control your own choices
Challenge
You prefer new and/or exciting activities
Friendship
You enjoy the companionship of others
Money
You would like to be financially secure and independent.
Variety
You enjoy many activities every day
Routine
You enjoy the same activities every day
Organisation
You need a tidy and orderly place to live and work
Respect
You see need to give and receive respect in your work/life
Freedom
You enjoy being in control of your own destiny
Compassion
You can feel concern for others and for all living things
Teamwork
You enjoy working with a group rather than on your own
Recognition
You need to have others notice you and your work
Trust
You must have honesty in all you do
Helping others
You prefer to assist others who may need help
Security
You need to feel safe and secure
Confidence
You feel happy and capable with new tasks and activities
Responsibility
You feel that you must answer for your actions
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Year 7, Lesson 1: Page 7 of 7
RANK