Welcome students! Today, you become college detectives investigating the mysterious world of college applications. Get them excited about the theme before revealing the title.

Read each objective aloud and explain briefly why it matters. Emphasize that these skills build a foundation for their future.

Set the scene: “Imagine you’re elite detectives on a new case: The Application Mystery!” Use dramatic tone to engage.

Distribute the case file handout. Ask students to predict what they’ll find. Jot down volunteer answers on the board.

Hand out vocabulary cards. Observe pairs matching terms. Circulate to clarify any confusion.

Guide pairs as they analyze the case file. Encourage them to think about why each component is important.

Invite pairs to share their findings aloud. Write key terms on the board and highlight connections.

Distribute sticky notes. Encourage honest, specific goals. Emphasize that small steps lead to big achievements.

Congratulate students on their detective work. Remind them that understanding these components now will help them later.