Making Your Parents ProudWhy, Grades 8-11

In the video Making Your Parents Proud, Lola explains how her decision to go to college will help her whole family—now and in the future. Use this

lesson, and the accompanying video discussion guide, to help students understand that achieving a college education can have

far-reaching effects on them and their families.

1. Making Your Parents Proud Video and Discussion

Prior to showing the Making Your Parents Proud video, ask students to complete the attached quiz designed to prompt students to consider their own attitudes regarding the topics to be discussed in the video.

Introduce the video. As they watch, ask students to keep track of the reasons Lola wants to go to college and complete the first five questions on the attached quiz. Show the video Making Your Parents Proud.

Ask students to review their answers on the quiz. Allow students to share their ideas about what they hope a college education will do for their own future and for their family’s future. Did Lola’s points make them change their mind about any of the answers? If students would like more information about any of the sections of the video or if there is more time for discussion, refer to the attached information sheet for presenters.

After discussion is complete, ask students to write a few brief points about their vision for the future and how they will make their parents proud. Ask that they sign and date it and encourage them to display it at home to prompt discussion with their family.

2. Learning from Others

If time allows, let students explore the other resources in Own Your Own Future or the college.gov “Why Go” site (www.college.gov/whygo). Both contain information about how a college education can be beneficial to students and their families and videos of students discussing their decisions.

Journal

Ask students to select one

of the topics covered in the

video or brought up through

discussion and write a letter

to their parents about why they

want to make them proud by

getting a college degree.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Making Your Parents Proud

Suggested Activities

OWN ITHere is my vision for my future and how I plan to make my parents proud:

Signed: Date:

Making your parents proudQuiz

Before you watch Making Your Parents Proud, take a few minutes to read the statements below and then select the statements that describe your outlook. After you watch the video, think about the difference (if any) between your attitude and Lola’s. Finally, write a brief vision statement for yourself and date it. Make a copy and put it on your refrigerator at home for your family. Discuss your answers and

your vision statement with your family and consider their responses.

1. A college degree equals higher earning potential.

I say:___ I’m not interested in making more money.___ I want to find a job that only requires a high

school diploma.___ I want a degree and I want the choices a

college education gives me.

2. College graduates have more choices among more types of jobs.

I say:___ I’m not sure what I want to do, so I’ll just wait

for something to come along. ___ I want to build a career, not just do a job.___ I’m interested in going to college and then

returning to my town to open a business here.

3. College helps you to meet different types of people and exposes you to new ideas.

I say:___ I’m open to learning about other people and

other places.___ I don’t really want to leave my high school

friends.___ I’m happy living at home, but I might go to

school nearby.

4. Going to college will help you set an example for your siblings and friends.

I say:___ I really want to pave the way for my brothers

and sisters to go to college, too.___ I think a college degree will only help me

because I did all the work. ___ I want to help them without going to college.

5. A college degree benefits future generations.I say:___ I don’t want to worry about that right now.___ I really want my own children to have a better

life and go to college, too.___ I’m not interested in that.

Did Lola make you change your mind about any of your answers?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Making Your Parents Proud

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Making Your Parents Proud

Making your parents proudVideo Discussion Guide

Make bigger bucks Points covered in video: A college degree equals higher earning potential.• How much do you think a high school graduate can

expect to earn in one year? Approximately $18,000-$25,000.

• How much do you think a person with a college degree will earn in one year? Approximately $45,000-$93,000

• What is the difference in earnings over a lifetime?A Bachelor’s degree recipient will earn about $1 million more over a recipient of a high school degree. A Master’s degree means $2.5 million more over a lifetime.

• How much money do you think that an engineer makes each year? A chemist? A registered nurse? Engineer: $77,000-$98,000Chemist: $68,000Registered Nurse: $63,000

• How would greater earnings on your part help your parents?Possible answers may include:

o Greater earnings might help siblings go to college

o You would be put in a position to help your parents with living expenses in later years.

o You can provide a more secure future for your own family.

• (Optional) Do you know what the earning potential is for your dream job? Option One: Send students to the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop at www.careerinfonet.org/Occupations for more information.

Option Two: The presenter may select a few jobs prior to the presentation and research earnings through CareerOneStop or to the Texas Workforce Commission’s Wage Information Network at http://www.texasindustryprofiles.com/apps/win/.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Making Your Parents Proud

Get your dream job Points covered in video: College graduates have more choices among more types of jobs.• What are the education requirements for your dream job?

If you don’t know what you want to do, you can use the Own Your Own Future Finder (www.ownyourownfuture.org/future-finder), AchieveTexas resources (www.achievetexas.org) or CareerOneStop (www.careerinfonet.org/Occupations/).

• How will a degree help pave the way for that job someday?Possible answer: Many jobs are not attainable without some postsecondary education. Some require a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or other advanced degree.

• Why would your parents be happy about your job prospects with a college education? Possible answers may include:o They know you would be able to make career choices.o They would feel they had helped you on your way to a secure future.o They would feel confident about your ability to take care of your own future.

Making your parents proudVideo Discussion Guide

Start a new family traditionPoints covered in the video: Going to college will help you set an example for your siblings and friends. • How could your decision to go to college help your siblings?

Possible answers include:o You can help them through the college admissions process.o You can give them a personal tour of the college campus.o You can serve as a role model and show them that they can achieve.o You can assist your parents in encouraging them to do well in school and go to college.

• How could your decision to go to college help your friends?Possible answers include:o You can help your friends through the college admissions process.o You can support their decision and help them stay focused. o You can barriers you encounter and work together to overcome them.

ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP Making Your Parents Proud

Broaden your horizonsPoints covered in the video: College helps you to meet different types of people and exposes you to new ideas.• What can a college education teach you about other people and places?

Possible answers may include:o College will allow you to meet new people who are not from your own community.o College will offer opportunities to travel to and live in new places, especially through study abroad programs.o College can help expand your interests and form new ones.

• What opportunities would this provide for you and your family?Possible answers may include:o Parents and siblings would have the opportunity to travel to visit you in college.o Your parents or siblings might meet new people through your connections.o You could pursue employment around the world.

Better life for the next generationPoints covered in the video: A college degree benefits future generations... • Having a college education makes it much more likely that your own children will also pursue one! How would this

make your parents proud?Possible answer: Parents want to know that their grandchildren will have a secure future, too.

*Earnings information based on Texas data available through the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop: Pathways to Career Success system (www.careerinfonet.org).