Manufacturing Bridge Semester 1
Career Field: Technical
Adult Career Pathway: Manufacturing
Type: Bridge
Prepares students for: attainment of NRS level 4 in reading, writing, language, listening and speaking, i.e., the 9th grade or ASE reading level on the TABE; progressing into Manufacturing Bridge Semester 2; fully articulating a personalized training and employment plan in the manufacturing field.
Target Student Population: ABE and ESL students with TABE reading scores of 6.0-8.9 and TABE math scores of 5.0-8.9 (high intermediate)
Access Curriculum: Go to https://womenemployed.org/lesson-plans/ and complete the request form to get immediate access to downloadable curriculum in PDF format
Course Description: Students improve their basic reading and writing skills using materials related to the Manufacturing industry. Learning is interactive, including group activities, giving and getting peer feedback, and utilizing evaluation and editing processes to turn rough drafts into improved rewritten drafts. Students gain experience using computers and develop key employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, dependability, problem-solving, and technology skills. Exploration of manufacturing career options is incorporated into personalized career plans. Test-taking skills are emphasized to prepare for TABE tests, HSE tests, and the college entrance exam.
Duration: 16 weeks, 20 hours/week = 320 total instructional hours
Curriculum description: One comprehensive PDF document (400 pages). Each lesson includes detailed teaching guide, all materials and web-based resources, as well as a list of associated standards. The course includes several multi-week thematic units. A variety of readings are used to build literacy skills. The writing workshop method is incorporated throughout. Digital literacy skills are built through online research projects and presentations.
Curriculum pluses: Clearly laid out. Includes all materials required to teach the course. Based on ABE best practices and aligned with NRS (National Reporting System for Adult Education Programs) standards. Many lessons include technology components that help students develop digital literacy skills. Transition skills are integrated throughout.
Curriculum drawbacks: Lessons were written for a City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) context, so some materials specific to the career pathway will not fit a MN local context; and the materials are in PDF format, so not easily modified. CCC references will need to be identified and changed throughout.
Author: Developed by Stephanie Sommers – a collaborative project between City Colleges of Chicago and Women Employed
Published: 2018
Contact person: For questions about the design of the bridge program or customization of the lessons:
Christina Warden, Senior Program Manager
Women Employed
312-782-3902 ext. 228 / [email protected]