1. Career and Technical Education
Giving Students the Edge

2. Identifying Abilities Talents
CTE Introduction
Career Development Activity
Identifying Abilities Talents

3. Giraffes Don’t Dance

4. Read “The Crayon Box That Talked” by: Shane DeRolf
Optional Activity
Read “The Crayon Box That Talked” by: Shane DeRolf
If you buy this book you can scan the pages. Check copyright.

5. Definitions
Ability - What one is able to do, the power to perform a specific task.
Talent - Superior, apparently natural ability in the arts, sciences, or in the learning or doing of anything.
Have students write the definitions for ability and talent in their workbooks.

6. Activity
Have students match the definitions with the pictures and rank themselves as you facilitate the discussion. Remind them that no one will be high or low in every category. Encourage them to be thoughtful and realistic with their answers.

7. Definition
Skill: Expertness which is developed through training or practice.
1. Have five students use posters to introduce the equation known as the Arithmetic of Success.
2. Have students stand in the order they think the equation should look.

8. Arithmetic of Success
Ability or Talent +
Training / Practice =
Skill

9. (Varies with the individual)
Arithmetic of Success
Ability of Talent
(Varies with the individual) +
Training / Practice =
SKILL

10. Arithmetic of Success Soccer + Join community team Practice =
School Team

11. Better at drawing Cartoons
Arithmetic of Success
Draw Cartoons +
Take a drawing class
Practice drawing =
Better at drawing Cartoons

12. Arithmetic of Success Mechanic + Take auto classes Work weekends with=
Certified Mechanic

13. Arithmetic of Success Play the Piano + Take piano lessons Practice
Recitals =
Better at Piano

14. Arithmetic of Success
1. Select a talent you want to work on.
2. Complete the Arithmetic of Success worksheet.

15. The Pound Theory Developing Skills Why everyone is special
This video is purposely designed to be silly and it sets a great tone for the activity. Have fun introducing it by saying something like, “This is probably the corniest video that you’ll see in school this year, but I guarantee that you’ll enjoy it and remember the ideas it teaches.