This manual provides curriculum materials for implementing a career exploration class in business and office occupations within a Practical Arts Education program for middle/junior high school students. Introductory materials include the program master sequence, list of business and office occupations, and an overview of the competency-based instructional system for practical arts. A guide to learning activities is presented, which contains instructor's guide sheets for each task assignment sheet. Each guide sheet lists objectives, attitudes and values to be developed, one or more checkout activities, recommended references and audiovisuals, notes and suggestions for instruction, and references and necessary tools and equipment. Master copies of learning activities are included. Appendixes include lists of vocabulary, references appropriate for career exploration, practical arts videotapes, and ideas for addressing students with special needs. The 15 student task assignment sheets are also included. Each contains these components: an introduction, objectives, learning activities, checkout activities, vocabulary, instruction sheets, and a copy of the instructor's final checklist. Tasks are provided for six families of the business and office cluster: management/ownership, clerical, secretarial, word processing, accounting, and data processing. (YLB)