IN THE CLASSROOM:

Cecilia Ordaz’s class is full of college-bound students.

Some, like Maddie Baldikoski, are looking at UC Berkeley to prepare for a career in business. Others are looking at OCC, UC San Diego and other colleges before they take on the world.

One catch: These kids are only in the first grade.

“It’s really important to plant a seed,” Ordaz said. “Just to plant an idea that this is a possibility.”

Ordaz, who has two college children of her own, got the idea from them to teach her first-grade class at Woodland Elementary about the progression of school — with the ultimate goal being college and beyond.

The assignment starts with helping the children understand why they are in school. It evolves into a technical endeavor, where students are asked to use computer coloring programs to illustrate various schools they learn about.

Then students are required to discuss the experiences of their parents going to college and/or working after high school.

“They talk about the real things,” Ordaz said.

Finally, students begin to think about future careers based on their hobbies and interests.

“I want to make ice cream and have an ice cream store,” 7-year-old Maddie said. “It looks fun.”

Ordaz incorporates the parents into the assignment to help instill the goal of college. Having the learning take place in the home and then supplemented in the classroom can help plant the “seed” for the future, she said.

Students such as Maddie enjoy the assignment. The drawing and art keeps their creativity alive and allows them to get invested in the assignment that is working on goals that are 10 or 11 years away.

“It’s a long time to go to school,” Maddie said. “But it’s fun to go to school.”

Ordaz has been teaching goal-orientated learning for about 30 years. She began working at Woodland with Spanish-speaking students and would often work with their parents on their children’s goals. Those classrooms no longer exist, but she has applied that philosophy to her current students to prepare them for college.

“They are leaning that [college] exists,” Ordaz said. “We use all areas of the curriculum to develop this theme.”

KIDS TALK BACK

What do you want to do when you grow up?

“Teacher. I want to teach people to do English and Spanish and other languages.”

Jane Bradbury

6, Costa Mesa

“A veterinarian. I want to take care of animals.”

Sarai Alarcon

7, Costa Mesa

“An inventor because I think it would be cool to invent stuff and make new things.”

April Clark

7, Costa Mesa

“A music instructor or scientist. I started drumming when I was 2 and as a scientist you never know when you might invent something new.”

Bryce Mitchell

7, Costa Mesa

“A doctor because I can take care of people.”

Naomi Julian

6, Costa Mesa

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.