Unit 8
Jobs for American Graduates

reading and Writing Workshop

Resources

Unit Theme and Plan

Remaining Safe and Professional in the Workplace
Students will complete the attached file for this unit 
​Unit 8 Workbook

Activities

Teaching with E.L.O.N.  (Enriched Learning Opportunity Nexus) that seamlessly integrates AI 

Unit 8: Workplace Success, Safety & Professional Conduct
 
Unit Overview
In this unit, students learn the expectations of real workplaces, including workplace safety, time management, reliability, communication, and problem-solving. Students examine workplace policies, understand how to respond to feedback, and practice resolving workplace challenges. The unit emphasizes personal responsibility, conflict resolution, safety awareness, and professionalism on the job.
Students also learn about worker rights, workplace safety rules, and how to report concerns respectfully and responsibly.
Unit Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

1. Explain key behaviors that lead to success on the job
2. Identify and practice positive workplace communication
3. Demonstrate problem-solving and conflict-resolution strategies
4. Understand workplace safety and employee responsibilities
5. Describe worker rights and how to report safety issues
6. Create a workplace success plan and complete job scenarios

Key Concepts & Vocabulary

• Workplace professionalism
• Time management & attendance
• Reliability & initiative
• Chain of command
• Constructive feedback
• Conflict resolution
• Workplace etiquette
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) basics
• Reporting concerns / safety protocols
• Employee rights & responsibilities

Learning Activities
Lesson 1: What Makes Employees Successful?

• Brainstorm qualities of successful workers
• Class creates “Top 10 Workplace Success Rules” poster

Lesson 2: Time Management & Reliability

• Bellringer: “What does being reliable mean?”
• Tools & tips: schedules, reminders, planners
• Practice scenario: “You overslept — what do you do?”

Lesson 3: Workplace Communication

• Types of communication (face-to-face, email, phone, text
• Practice polite phrases & conflict-neutral language
• Role-play: asking supervisors for help or clarification

Lesson 4: Conflict-Resolution Strategies

• Mini lesson: Remain calm • Focus on solution • Use “I” language
• Students analyze conflict situations and script solutions
• Practice: “Coworker disagreement” + “Customer complaint”

Lesson 5: Introduction to Workplace Safety

• What safety means & why companies require training
• Students review safety posters and hazard symbols
• OSHA basics for youth workers

Lesson 6: Workplace Safety Scenarios
Students rotate through job safety stations:

• restaurant
• warehouse
• office
• childcare
• retail
• construction basics

“Identify the hazard + propose safe action”
Lesson 7: Handling Feedback

• Discussion: why feedback isn’t criticism
• Practice receiving feedback with a positive tone
• Students write a short thank-you and improvement plan

Lesson 8: Reporting Concerns & Employee Rights

• When to report unsafe or unfair treatment
• Who to talk to (chain of command)
• Practice respectful reporting scripts
• Students complete “If this happened…” situation cards

Assessment & Evidence of Learning

• Participation in workplace role-plays
• Completed safety scenario worksheets
• Conflict-resolution practice and written solutions
• Workplace success plan
• Reporting scripts and reflection

Rubric Categories

• Professional communication
• Critical thinking & judgment
• Safety awareness
• Responsibility & initiative
• Reflection & improvement

Portfolio Components
Artifact
Workplace success pledge/plan
Safety scenario worksheet
Conflict-resolution script
Feedback reflection

Category
Work Preparedness
Safety Awareness
Communication Skills
Professional Growth Evidence
 
Teacher Notes & Tips

• Reinforce that first jobs are learning environments
• Praise effort and growth mindset
• Keep examples youth-friendly and relatable
• Optional: host guest speaker (HR, union rep, safety trainer)
• Tie into real job postings students have reviewed

Optional Extensions

• OSHA Youth Safety training module
• Worksite field trip or virtual tour
• Student-created workplace training video
• Case studies: customer service scenarios
• Mini-badge system for teamwork, reliability, and safety

Unit Culminating Task
Workplace Success & Safety Showcase
Students complete and submit:

• Workplace success plan
• Conflict-resolution script
• Safety scenario notes
• Reflection on how they will succeed in their first job

Uploaded to portfolio under:
Workplace Success & Responsibility

AI-Integrated Activities for Unit 8
AI-Integrated INDIVIDUAL Activities
1) Workplace Professionalism Coach
Tool: ChatGPT or Google Gemini (text or voice)**
Purpose: Help students reflect on workplace expectations
Student Prompt
I am learning workplace professionalism.
Ask me 5 questions that help me think about being reliable, on time, and respectful.
Do NOT give me answers — only questions to help me reflect.
Student Output

• Self-written professionalism goals
• Reflection paragraph for portfolio

2) Time-Management Planner Helper
Tool: Notion AI / ChatGPT**
Task: Student creates schedule; AI only guides
Prompt
Help me plan a daily routine for school and work by asking questions.
Do NOT make the schedule — I will create it.
Output

• Student-created daily schedule
• Screenshot of AI questions

3) Workplace Email Tone Checker
Tool: Grammarly AI / ChatGPT tone checker**
Task: Students write a workplace email and use AI to review tone
Prompt
I wrote a professional workplace email.
Give feedback ONLY on tone and clarity — do not rewrite it.
My message: “______”
Output

• Original email + revised student version
• Tone reflection sentence

4) Safety Awareness Scenario Guide
Tool: ChatGPT**
Prompt
Help me think through a safety situation.
Ask me 4 questions about the safest response.
Do NOT tell me what to do — I will decide.
Situation: _______
Output

• Student-written safety plan

5) Professional Communication Voice Practice
Tool: NaturalReader or Speechify (read aloud)**
Task: Practice speaking clearly for workplace communication
Steps:

1. Student writes a workplace request or voicemail script
2. AI reads it aloud
3. Student adjusts tone & clarity

Output

• Student script
• Notes on tone adjustments

AI-Integrated GROUP Activities
1) AI Workplace Scenario Generator + Role-Play
Tool: ChatGPT**
Group Prompt
Generate 6 workplace scenarios involving professionalism, safety, or conflict.
Do NOT give solutions — we will create them.
Group Task

• Pick 2 scenarios
• Create solutions
• Perform role-play

Output

• Role-play + notes sheet

2) “Fix the Workplace Tone” Challenge
Tool: ChatGPT / Grammarly Tone Detector**
Prompt
Provide 6 informal statements teens might say at work.
Do NOT rewrite — we will rewrite them professionally.
Task

• Group rewrites
• Creates a “Professional Phrases” poster

3) Safety Hazard Spotting via AI Images
Tool: Canva AI “Magic Media” image generator**
Prompt
Generate workplace images with possible hazards
(retail, food service, warehouse, office).
Group Task

• Spot hazards
• Write safe solutions

Outputs

• Labeled images
• Solutions sheet

4) Workplace Communication Simulation
Tool: ChatGPT Conversational Mode**
Prompt
Pretend you are a coworker.
Give us a workplace request politely.
We will respond professionally.
Do NOT tell us how — only play the coworker.
Task

• Students take turns responding
• Group analyzes tone & clarity

5) Professional Standards AI Debate Prep
Tool: Perplexity.ai**
Prompt
What are expectations for young workers in professional settings?
List bullet points and sources. Do NOT form opinions.
Task

• Group debates: “Which workplace skill matters most for youth workers?”
• Teacher chairs discussion

 Student Submission Requirements
Each student/group turns in:
Item
Purpose
AI screenshot or prompts used
Transparency
Student-written answers/reflections
Ownership
Tone / Safety / Professional scripts
Skill practice
Student Integrity Statement
I used AI only as a thinking partner.
All writing, decisions, and final answers are my own.
 Skills Strengthened

• Professional tone & communication
• Time management & reliability habits
• Safety decision-making
• Ethical AI use for workplace prep
• Reflection & self-manageme