LAUNCH GRADE 11: TAKE ACTION! lesson 4: overcoming barriers outcome: Students explain how planning to take action can help overcome barriers. OBJECTIVES * Discuss barriers to high school and postsecondary success. * prioritize barriers by importance. * Explain how planning to take action can help you overcome barriers. * take a personal inventory of barriers and strengths. ASSESSMENT * My Barriers and plans chart * reflection MATERIALS NEEDED * Chart paper and markers * Large blank note cards or sticky notes * Colored dot stickers or sticky notes * "overcoming Barriers" handout PREPARATION * Ask your principal or school counselor for the high school graduation statistics for your school. If your school does not know these statistics, that is a problem that you can discuss with your students. you can also use national statistics for your student demographic. According to the US Census Bureau, nationally on average, 11.2% of students drop out of high school before receiving a diploma. Data can be retrieved here: http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p20-559.pdf. lesson outline 1. Motivation barriers brainstorm (10-20 minutes) 2. Direct Instruction categorizing barriers (10 minutes) 3. Collaborative Activity planning ahead (10-20 minutes) 4. Whole Group Discussion debrief (5-10 minutes) 5. Independent Practice my barriers and plans (10-20 minutes) 6. Summary supporting our plans (5 minutes) 28 LESSon 4: oVErCoMInG BArrIErShttp://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p20-559.pdf