SUSTAINABILITY
PREP FOR LIFE TASK AND LEAD PROGRAMS ARE REQUIRED COURSES for High School students at Marburn. These courses support executive function and life skills inside and outside of the school. From learning to balance a checkbook to planning for the ACT, students are introduced to tools and strategies that are designed to benefit them for life.
TASK: TRANSITION AND APPLICATION OF STUDENT SKILLS
LEAD: LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE AND APPRENTICESHIP DESIGN
TASK is a course for direct instruction in executive functioning skills. Students learn about the resources available to them to support their individual executive function needs. Students are also exposed to and encouraged to explore different types of post-secondary and career options.
Junior LEAD focuses on strengthening students’ self-understanding and using strategies to help manage more challenging coursework.
In this course, students: u Create a four-year plan for a successful high school career and build college readiness skills u Develop research, writing, and presentation skills through a variety of activities TASK 1 curriculum includes study skills, note-taking, test-taking, public speaking, goal setting, tips for success, organizational skills and projects, time management, financial literacy, and college/career exploration. TASK 2 curriculum builds on the learning gained in the TASK 1 course and adds lessons on multiple intelligences, financial responsibility, public speaking, and self-awareness. To ensure success in both courses, students are provided with opportunities to work independently, with partners, and in teacher-led collaborative groups.
In this course, students: u Learn about financial literacy through observing the stock market, identify personal wealth tools, and gain proficiency in how the federal income tax process works u Evaluate the college search process by learning about financial aid, researching post-secondary options, staging a formal interview, analyzing Common App essays, and presenting research findings u Study for the PSAT and ACT Highlights from the 2019-2020 school year included: a class visit to the University of Cincinnati, watching a group of students take a virtual $1MM and turn it into a virtual $18MM through a simulated stock market exercise, and the writing of amazing narratives crafted by students to share the many facets of the young adults they are growing up to be. Senior LEAD, also known as LEAD 2, is the final course in the Marburn
Mrs. Dunlevy works with 9th and 10th grade students during a LEAD class on understanding finances, balancing a checkbook, and calculating credit card interest.
TASK/LEAD program. The course focuses on practical life skills development, in conjunction with the college admissions/post-secondary options process, with the goal of preparing students for a successful life after Marburn. In this course, students: u Identify interpersonal skills through the study of What Color is Your Parachute? For Teens, a book designed to help high
Through Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s (NCH) mentoring partnership with Columbus City Schools, NCH staff is evaluating ways to support students in managing executive functions—mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self control. Their visit to Marburn’s TASK class provided the opportunity for them to observe how Mar-
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school and college students zero in on aptitude and skills to find their perfect major or career u Cultivate skills related to the requirements for post-secondary education planning, including Common App completion, recommendation letters, resume writing, communication skills (conflict management with roommates, speaking with professors and supervisors, interviewing, etc.), and senior speeches
burn helps students overcome their own executive function challenges. “Seeing the TASK class in action was a great experience that provided insight into ways to strengthen relationships and ensure productive student-mentoring sessions through my organization’s mentoring program,” said Katie Higgins of the Community Wellness Division at
