What are you doing to encourage your students to go to college?
Some teachers call their students “scholars” instead of students.
Some schools have graduation ceremonies for pre-k, kindergarten, or 5th grade. And while students may wear a cap and gown, do they really understand what it means to “graduate”?
It is important to start talking about college at a young age, so students KNOW this is an option for them.
Many students, especially those who come from lower-income areas, don’t think about or mentally consider college because they’ve heard of the costs. It’s important for students to know there are options! (Loans, scholarships, technical careers, etc…)
Yes! Even at this young age, you can talk to your students about financing college!
Help them remove the mental block that’s preventing them from dreaming of going to college!
Implementing a College Day in Elementary School
Get the whole school involved and have a college day!
Have teachers wear shirts (or colors) from the college they graduated from, and make a poster or hang a picture of the college outside of their classroom.
Teachers can spend a few minutes of their day telling their students about the college they attended and even can show them the school website.
Administrators can get in on the fun as well. They can spend a few minutes of their morning announcements talking about their college.
Activities for College Day
This unit is full of resources for both lower and upper grades students. It includes posters, mini books, vocabulary, and much more!
A “Road to College” poster will help your students see how their current actions can help keep them on the path!
Student-friendly vocabulary and definitions are provided to help students learn the lingo around college and graduation.
Picture vocabulary is provided for lower grades students, and definitions are provided for upper grades students.
Upper and lower grades versions of the books are included so you can teach your students about college on their level.
Create an anchor chart highlighting colleges near your school. Use this opportunity to introduce state schools, private schools, community colleges, and even technical schools. With older students, you can even discuss each school’s specialty and what careers they can lead to.