Resume Roots Slides Resume Roots
Your Story on Paper
If you had one piece of paper to convince someone to hire you...
What would you write on it?
What is a Resume?
A resume is a one-page document that summarizes your skills, education, and experiences.
It acts like a professional commercial for YOU.
It shows a boss why you are the best person for the job.
It must be clean, organized, and honest .
Experience Goes Here
But I don't have a job yet!
Responsibilities
Chores, caring for siblings, walking pets, yard work.
Extracurriculars
Sports teams, band, choir, scouting, dance classes.
School Roles
Safety patrol, student council, classroom helper, tutor.
Volunteerism
Helping at a food bank, community clean-ups, church help.
Experience Hunt!
You have 5 minutes to list everything you've done in the last year that shows you are responsible, hardworking, or creative.
05:00
Experience Detective Worksheet Experience Detective
Uncovering Your Secret Skills
Name: __________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
The Case
A resume isn't just about jobs that pay money. For a 5th grader, a resume is about responsibilities and commitments . Your mission is to find at least 5 things you do that prove you are reliable, hardworking, or helpful.
Home & Family
Level 1
Examples: Caring for a pet, washing dishes, babysitting a sibling, mowing the lawn, organizing the pantry.
Responsibility #1:
Responsibility #2:
School & Clubs
Level 2
Examples: Safety patrol, student council, band, choir, robot club, being a peer tutor, library helper.
Responsibility #3:
Responsibility #4:
Community & Sports
Level 3
Examples: Soccer team captain, church volunteer, scouting, dance classes, summer camp attendee, park clean-ups.
Responsibility #5:
Bonus Find:
The Expert's Insight
Look at your list above. Which one are you most proud of, and why?
Resume Basics Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Resume Roots
Lesson 1 of 5
Duration: 45-60 min
Learning Objectives
Define the purpose of a resume in a professional context.
Identify current personal experiences that demonstrate responsibility.
Categorize activities into Home, School, and Community themes.
Essential Question
How can I document my current skills and set achievable goals to prepare for my future career?
Materials Needed
Resume Roots Slides
Experience Detective Worksheet
Timer for "Experience Hunt"
Instructional Steps
1
The Hook (10 min)
Open with the "One Piece of Paper" prompt from the slide deck. Allow students to turn-and-talk before sharing with the class. Common 5th-grade answers might include grades, sports trophies, or "being a good friend." Use this to transition into the formal definition of a resume.
2
Concept Introduction (15 min)
Use the Resume Roots Slides to define a resume. Focus heavily on the "5th Grade Experience" categories. Students often think they have "no experience" because they haven't been paid. Challenge this by defining experience as commitment and responsibility .
3
Experience Detective Activity (20 min)
Distribute the Experience Detective Worksheet . Set a timer for 5-7 minutes of silent "hunting" before allowing students to brainstorm in small groups.
Teacher Tip: Circulate and help students who are stuck. Ask: "What do you do every single morning?" or "What's something your teacher trusts you to do?"
4
Wrap Up & Reflection (5-10 min)
Have students complete the reflection section on their worksheet. Collect worksheets to review for Lesson 2, where they will begin drafting their formal "Experience Sheets."
Discussion Questions
Why do you think a resume needs to be only one page long?
What is the difference between a "hobby" and an "experience"?
If you were hiring someone to watch your puppy, what kind of experience would you look for on their resume?
Resume Power Slides Resume Power
From Plain to Professional
The Power of Action Verbs
Plain Speak
"I walk the neighbor's dog every day."
Resume Speak
"Managed daily animal care and exercise routines."
Notice the difference? One sounds like a chore, the other sounds like a job .
Professional Action Starters
Leadership
Led
Guided
Directed
Organized
Work
Created
Produced
Built
Drafted
Helping
Assisted
Supported
Served
Contributed
The Rules of the Resume
No long paragraphs! Use bullet points .
Check your spelling twice (then ask a friend).
Use white space so it's easy to read.
Ready to Draft?
Use your Experience Detective worksheet to fill in your 5th Grade Experience Sheet .
Draft Review Final
Experience Sheet Template Student Name
5th Grade Professional Experience Sheet
City, State • School: ____________________
Professional Summary
Dedicated 5th-grade student with a focus on ____________________ and ____________________. Known for being ____________________ and having strong ____________________ skills.
Experience & Responsibilities
Role Title: __________________________________
Dates: __________
Location/Club/Family Context: __________________________________
Role Title: __________________________________
Dates: __________
Location/Club/Family Context: __________________________________
Technical Skills
Awards & Honors
"Your Experience Sheet is a living document. Update it as you learn new things!"
Professional Phrasing Handout Resume Cheat Sheet
Translating Your Life into Resume Speak
Use this guide to help you find the right words for your Experience Sheet. Instead of saying what you did, use these strong action verbs to show what you accomplished.
Leadership & School
If you were safety patrol...
Monitored student safety
during arrivals and departures.
If you helped a teacher...
Organized classroom materials
and assisted with daily preparations.
If you were on student council...
Represented student interests
and helped plan school-wide events.
Chores & Home
If you babysit...
Supervised children
and ensured a safe environment.
If you walk dogs...
Managed pet care routines
including exercise and feeding schedules.
If you mow the lawn...
Maintained outdoor spaces
through weekly lawn care and upkeep.
Sports & Teams
If you play a sport...
Collaborated with teammates
to achieve seasonal goals.
If you were a captain...
Directed team activities
and motivated peers during practice.
Creative & Tech
If you make videos...
Produced digital content
using video editing software.
If you play an instrument...
Performed musical pieces
and practiced advanced techniques.
Power Words Word Bank
Achieved Build Cooperated Designed Executed Improved Launched Participated Solved Volunteered
Resume Builder Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Resume Builder
Lesson 2 of 5
Duration: 60 min
Learning Objectives
Translate everyday tasks into professional action statements.
Apply professional formatting (bullet points, summaries) to a document.
Provide and receive constructive feedback on professional writing.
Materials Needed
Resume Power Slides
Experience Sheet Template
Professional Phrasing Handout
Instructional Steps
1
Review & Hook (10 min)
Briefly review the experiences students found yesterday. Introduce the idea of "Professional Translation." Use the Resume Power Slides to show the "Magic Trick" (turning dog walking into animal care).
2
The Power Phrasing Workshop (15 min)
Distribute the Professional Phrasing Handout . Walk through the examples. Choose a common student task (e.g., "Cleaning my room") and brainstorm as a class how to make it sound professional (e.g., "Managed personal organization and inventory upkeep").
3
Independent Drafting (25 min)
Students use the Experience Sheet Template and their notes from Lesson 1 to draft their resume. Encourage students to use at least one strong action verb for every bullet point.
Differentiation: For students who struggle with writing, provide "sentence starters" like: "I helped by..." or "I showed responsibility when I..."
4
Peer Polish (10 min)
Students swap papers. They aren't looking for "grading"—they are looking for clarity . Ask: "Does this sound like a leader wrote it?" and "Are there any spelling mistakes?"
What to look for:
Action Verbs: Are they starting bullets with verbs rather than "I did..."?Cleanliness: Is the handwriting neat (or typing aligned)?Specifics: Instead of "helped out," did they say "helped 20 students"? Elevator Pitch Slides Network Navigator
The Art of the Introduction
The 30-Second Challenge
You just stepped into an elevator with the Principal (or your favorite celebrity). You have 30 seconds to tell them who you are and what you're great at.
Go!
Networking is...
Making Connections
Meeting people who share your interests.
Building Relationships
Helping others so they might help you later.
Being Professional
Using clear language and good manners.
The "Pitch" Recipe
1. The Who
"Hi, I'm [Name], a 5th grader at [School]."
2. The What
"I'm really interested in [Interest/Career]."
3. The Why
"I'm great at [Skill] and love to [Action]."
4. The Ask
"It's nice to meet you! How did you start your career?"
It's Not Just What You Say...
Eye Contact
A Smile
Clear Voice
Posture
Pitch Perfect Planner Pitch Perfect
Your 30-Second Story
Name: __________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
An Elevator Pitch is a short summary that introduces you and your interests in the time it takes to ride an elevator (about 30 seconds). Use the recipe below to draft yours!
1
The Introduction (The "Who")
Draft: "Hi, my name is..."
2
The Interest (The "What")
Draft: "I am passionate about..." or "I'm really interested in..."
3
The Skill (The "Why")
Draft: "I have experience with..." or "I'm great at..."
4
The Connection (The "Ask")
Draft: "It's a pleasure to meet you. What do you like best about your job?"
Your Full Script
Peer Review Check:
Eye Contact?
Clear Voice?
20-30 Seconds?
Teacher Check: Handshake Hero Cards Handshake Hero Cards
Networking Roleplay Scenarios
Scenario 1
The School Principal
You are in the hallway and the Principal asks what you've been working on in Career Exploration.
Goal: Sound professional and share one specific skill you are proud of.
Scenario 2
The New Neighbor
Your new neighbor just moved in. They look like they might need help with their yard or a pet walker.
Goal: Introduce yourself as a responsible neighbor and mention your experience.
Scenario 3
Career Day Guest
A guest speaker (a Vet or an Engineer) just finished their talk. You go up to meet them.
Goal: Show your interest in their field and ask one thoughtful question.
Scenario 4
The "Elevator"
You are actually in an elevator with a local business owner you admire. 3 floors left!
Goal: Deliver your full 30-second pitch before the doors open.
Cut along the lines to create task cards for small groups
Network Navigator Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Network Navigator
Lesson 3 of 5
Duration: 45-60 min
Learning Objectives
Define networking as the process of making professional connections.
Compose and deliver a 30-second elevator pitch.
Demonstrate professional non-verbal communication (eye contact, posture).
Materials Needed
Elevator Pitch Slides
Pitch Perfect Planner
Handshake Hero Cards
Instructional Steps
1
The 30-Second Challenge (10 min)
Start with the "Principal in the Elevator" slide. Give students 30 seconds to try it with a neighbor with zero preparation. It will likely be messy and awkward—that's the point! Discuss what made it hard.
2
Pitch Recipe (15 min)
Show the Elevator Pitch Slides . Walk through the "Recipe" (Who, What, Why, Ask). Modeling is key here. Deliver a bad pitch (no eye contact, mumbling) vs. a good pitch to show the difference.
3
The Pitch Planner (15 min)
Students use the Pitch Perfect Planner to draft their scripts. Encourage them to refer to their resumes from Lesson 2 to find their "What" and "Why."
4
Networking Simulation (15-20 min)
Use the Handshake Hero Cards . Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One student acts as the "Professional" on the card, and the other delivers their pitch. Rotate roles and scenarios.
Social Etiquette Tips
Handshakes: If doing physical greetings, teach the "firm but not crushing" handshake. If not, teach a professional nod and wave.Listening: Emphasize that networking is 50% talking and 50% listening. The "Ask" part of the pitch is crucial.Confidence: It's okay to be nervous! Tell students that everyone (even adults) gets nervous introducing themselves. SMART Steps Slides Goal Architect
Building Your Future, One Step at a Time
Which is a Better Goal?
"I want to get better at math."
The Abstract Wish
"I will practice my math facts for 10 minutes every day this week."
The Concrete Plan
The SMART Framework
S
Specific
Clear and simple.
M
Measurable
How do you know you won?
A
Achievable
Can you actually do it?
R
Relevant
Does it actually matter?
T
Time-bound
When is the deadline?
Career Goals for 5th Grade
Academic Goal
Focus on a subject you need for your future career (like Science for a Vet).
Skill Goal
Practice a soft skill like organization, leadership, or public speaking.
Plan the Work. Work the Plan.
Use your Goal Getter worksheet to architect two SMART goals for your portfolio.
Goal Getter Worksheet Goal Getter
Architecting Your Future
Name: __________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Achievable
R
Relevant
T
Time-bound
1. My Academic Career Goal
Think about a subject that connects to your future career interests.
My SMART Goal Statement:
How will I measure it?
What is my deadline?
2. My Professional Skill Goal
Focus on a soft skill like leadership, organization, or public speaking.
My SMART Goal Statement:
How will I measure it?
What is my deadline?
My First 3 Steps: Target Practice Activity Target Practice
SMART Goal vs. Weak Wish
Professional goals need to be sharp and specific. For each pair of goals below, identify which one is a Weak Wish and which one is a SMART Goal . Explain WHY.
"I want to be better at reading."
"I will read 2 chapters of my book every night for 1 week."
Which is SMART?
Why is it better?
"I will turn in all my homework before 4:00 PM this week."
"I'm going to stop forgetting my work."
Which is SMART?
Why is it better?
"I'll practice my instrument more."
"I'll practice 20 mins on Mon, Wed, and Fri to learn my new song."
Which is SMART?
Why is it better?
Goal Architect Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Goal Architect
Lesson 4 of 5
Duration: 45-60 min
Learning Objectives
Identify the components of the SMART goal framework.
Distinguish between vague wishes and actionable SMART goals.
Create two career-connected SMART goals (Academic and Skill-based).
Materials Needed
SMART Steps Slides
Target Practice Activity
Goal Getter Worksheet
Instructional Steps
1
The "Better Goal" Hook (10 min)
Show the Hook slide comparing math goals. Ask students: "If you were the teacher, which student would you know how to help more?" Transition into the SMART acronym.
2
Target Practice Activity (15 min)
Distribute the Target Practice Activity . Have students work in pairs to identify the SMART goals. When reviewing, ask them to find the "M" (Measurable) and "T" (Time-bound) parts in each correct answer.
3
Goal Getting (20 min)
Students complete the Goal Getter Worksheet .
Guidance: Remind them that Goal #1 should be about a school subject, and Goal #2 should be a "soft skill" (like getting organized or speaking up more).
4
The Action Plan (5 min)
The bottom of the worksheet asks for the "First 3 Steps." Emphasize that a goal without a plan is just a wish. Help them think of very small, immediate actions (e.g., "Ask my teacher for a practice book").
Troubleshooting Student Goals:
Too Big: "I will learn all of science by Friday." (Help them narrow it down).Not Measurable: "I will be nice." (Help them change to: "I will help 3 classmates each day").Not Time-bound: "I will learn to code." (Add: "...by the end of this month"). Portfolio Reveal Slides Portfolio Pro
Assembling Your Future
The Career Portfolio
You've gathered your experiences, translated your skills, practiced your pitch, and set your goals. Now, let's put it all together into a Professional Portfolio .
The Portfolio Ingredients
Experience Sheet
Your professional resume.
SMART Goals
Your plan for the future.
Elevator Pitch
Your written introduction.
The Cover Letter
NEW! The introduction to YOU.
The "Cover Letter"
"A cover letter is a friendly note that tells someone WHY they should look at your portfolio."
The "Hook, Line, & Sinker"
The Hook: Why are you interested in this career field?The Line: What is your biggest strength?The Sinker: A professional thank you and sign-off.
Mission Accomplished
This portfolio is your Career Time Capsule . Keep it safe, keep it updated, and remember how far you've come!
The Future is Yours
Career Capsule Checklist Portfolio Checklist
Is Your Career Capsule Ready?
Name: __________________________________
Check off each item once you have polished it and placed it in your physical or digital folder. This portfolio is a record of your potential!
1. Polished Experience Sheet
Includes your name, professional summary, and 2-3 responsibilities with action verbs.
2. SMART Goal Getter Worksheet
Includes one Academic goal and one Skill goal with deadlines.
3. Pitch Perfect Planner
Your written script for introducing yourself to others professionally.
4. Future Cover Letter
A personalized letter reflecting on your strengths and future aspirations.
5. Personal Brand Element
A personal logo, soft skill badge, or career interest inventory results (optional).
Portfolio Peer Review
Have a partner check your folder for neatness and completeness.
Reviewer Name:
One thing I liked:
Cover Letter Creative Formal Correspondence
Location: [Your School]
My Future Cover Letter
Imagine you are sending this portfolio to a future boss or a college admissions officer. Use the prompts below to tell your story.
Dear Future Self and Mentors,
The Hook (Your Interests)
I am writing to share my Career Portfolio because I am deeply interested in ____________________________________________________________________________________. I have always wanted to explore this field because ____________________________________________________________________________________.
The Line (Your Strengths)
One of my greatest strengths is ____________________________________________________________________________________. I demonstrated this skill when I ____________________________________________________________________________________. Inside this portfolio, you will see evidence of my work and my dedication to ____________________________________________________________________________________.
The Sinker (Your Goals & Closing)
My current goal is to ____________________________________________________________________________________. Thank you for taking the time to review my accomplishments and my plans for the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature Above]
Draw Your Personal Brand Logo Here
Portfolio Quote:
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker
Portfolio Pro Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Portfolio Pro
Lesson 5 of 5
Duration: 60-90 min
Learning Objectives
Assemble professional artifacts into a cohesive career portfolio.
Reflect on personal strengths and future career aspirations through formal writing.
Practice self-assessment and peer-review for professional presentation.
Materials Needed
Portfolio Reveal Slides
Career Capsule Checklist
Cover Letter Creative
Folders (physical or digital)
Instructional Steps
1
The "Career Capsule" Intro (10 min)
Use the Portfolio Reveal Slides to explain the concept of a "Time Capsule" for their professional potential. Review the components they've already created (Resume, Goals, Pitch).
2
The Guided Cover Letter (20-30 min)
Distribute the Cover Letter Creative activity. This serves as the "Sitter" or the introduction to the portfolio. Encourage students to think about their "Future Self."
Teacher Tip: This is a great time for quiet, reflective writing. Play some calm music and circulate to help students find the right words for their "strengths."
3
Portfolio Assembly (15 min)
Distribute folders and the Career Capsule Checklist . Students organize their materials in the following order: 1. Cover Letter, 2. Experience Sheet, 3. Goal Getter Worksheet, 4. Pitch Planner.
4
The Gallery Walk (15 min)
Allow students to display their portfolios on their desks. Conduct a brief Gallery Walk where students can leave positive "Soft Skill Badges" (post-it notes) on each other's work (e.g., "Great Organization!" or "Strong Leadership Skills!").
A Note to Teachers
This unit is designed to plant a seed. For many 5th graders, this is the first time they've seen their life experiences as "professional." Encourage them to keep this folder and add to it as they enter middle school—it becomes a powerful reminder of their growth and potential.
