Daily Learning Contract
- Topic: Skilled-Trades Preparation
- Objective: Students will describe the work and preparation boundaries for four skilled-trades careers.
- TEKS: d(1)(C), d(2)(A)
- Demonstration of Learning: Four-career preparation record with two differences and one verification question.
Time: 50 minutes
TEKS: d(1)(C), d(2)(A)
Evidence: four-career preparation record
Before class
Default digital route: one Canvas-capable device per student. Paper route: print one three-page career packet per student, but do not print for students annotating in Canvas. Students work independently; pairs may rehearse the comparison. Every student submits one private Canvas route or one labeled paper packet.
Project this supplied model: Electrician is the occupation. A Registered Apprenticeship can be a training route. A Texas electrician license is a separate legal boundary. The card does not promise a DFW starting wage or admission. Do not depend on H&L, open search, or remembered apprenticeship lengths. Keep current MacArthur Welding/Construction labels bounded without promising admission, credentials, placement, or employment.
50-minute flow
- System warm-up — 5 min. Name one building system and the workers whose evidence must connect before it is safe to use.
- Current pathway boundary — 8 min. Separate high-school program, occupation, training route, state registration/license, and employer credential.
- Four fixed career cards — 22 min. Students record work, typical preparation, state boundary, May 2024 U.S. median, 2024–34 growth, and annual openings for Electrician, Plumber/Pipefitter/Steamfitter, HVAC Mechanic/Installer, and Welder.
- Compare preparation — 10 min. Students explain two important differences and write one question that must be checked with an official state or provider source.
- Exit — 5 min. Name one career, one accurate preparation fact, and one boundary the evidence does not prove.
Teacher key
- Electricians: high school typical; most learn through a four- or five-year apprenticeship; Texas license type and eligibility must be checked with TDLR.
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: high school typical; most learn through apprenticeship; Texas plumber licenses and apprentice registration are governed by TSBPE. Journeyman eligibility includes 8,000 hours plus the approved training/program condition and exam.
- HVAC mechanics/installers: postsecondary nondegree award typical plus long-term on-the-job training. Texas non-exempt technician work requires the relevant TDLR registration or certification under a licensed contractor; contractor licensure is a separate route.
- Welders: high school typical plus technical and on-the-job training. Do not invent one universal Texas welding license or require one named industry certification for every job.
Monitor, pivot, and trim
- Minute 13: Students can label occupation, route, license, and credential without using them as synonyms. If one-third mix the labels, project the Electrician model and underline each noun.
- Minute 30: All four career rows contain work and preparation/state-boundary evidence.
- Minute 43: Two real differences and one official-source question are present.
- Safe trim: Accept concise labeled bullets and one strong verification question. Protect all four career rows and both differences. Collect one response route, then close devices.
Access route
The packet is the complete independent route. Accept annotation, typed labeled responses, enlarged print, dictation, or paper. H&L browsing may be an early-finisher extension but no favorite or screenshot is required.