Leadership Syllabus

Syllabus

Leadership

Instructor: Ms. Paget Thomas

Office Phone: 918-366-2201 ext.2758

Email: pthomas@bixbyps.org

Lesson Plans - Lesson plans will be available each week at my website through Bixby Public Schools; www.bixbyps.org (Middle School/Teacher & Staff Sites/English/Paget Thomas).

Participation - Students will actively generate ideas for streamlining processes, boosting morale, increasing academic growth, improving social inclusion, and beautification of our environment.

Journals – Students will write reflective pieces, create goals, and develop detailed organizational maps.

Special Projects – Students will be required to fulfill five service hours during the semester, some of which will take place outside of school hours. Students will also analyze one leader in depth and write a report detailing the character traits, leadership style, habits, and circumstances surrounding his/her path to influence. Projects will vary throughout the semester.

Goals, Impacts, Gratitude, and Reflections (Daily) – Students will practice skills reaching long-term goals, helping others, and focusing on the positive aspects of life. Students who are also in my English class will complete Focus Goals during Leadership.

Beautification Thursdays – Students will identify and complete beautification projects around our school.

Supplies Needed:

  • 2 Composition Notebooks (one black pattern, one of your choice)
  • 1 Spiral Notebook (at least 70 count)
  • Pencils

♦If you are unable to purchase these supplies for personal reasons, please contact me confidentially.♦

Curriculum: This year our learning focus will cover, but is not limited to, these essential elements:

Informational Texts: Students will be required to read one book, approved by me, dealing with the development of leadership. Students will also review relevant articles and analyze.

Writing: emphasis on diction, analytical responses connected to assigned readings, journals, multi-level paragraph development

Presentation: well-developed oral interpretations, constructive suggestions to improve conveyance of meaning, positive reinforcement of mastered skills

Research: MLA formatting, documentation, citation, presentation in various modes (digital, oral, visual)

Assignments may be added or discarded as students generate and prioritize projects.

Classroom Procedures:

Make-up work: It is the student's responsibility to find out what they missed. Students have the same number of days they are absent to make up work.

Late-work: Assignments turned in late will receive 50% credit; students may earn up to 75% credit on late work by attending Zero hour or 7th hour (must be assigned by Ms. Thomas). Repeat offenders will be assigned Saturday School. Please contact me if you have had a family emergency.

Prearranged Absences: Any student who knows in advance that he/she will be absent (this includes study trips and athletic events) is required to collect work for the missed day(s) prior to being absent. The work is due the day the student returns.

Discipline: Disruptive behavior will first be handled between the student and myself. If the behavior continues, parental contact will be made. If the problem persists, the student will be sent to the office. Please refer to the Bixby Middle School student handbook for school rules and discipline guidelines.

Plagiarism - Plagiarism is cheating and will not be accepted. Students are given ample time and support to complete assignments. If a student plagiarizes, he/she will receive a zero. Students may have the option, at my discretion, to attend Saturday School to complete the assignment for half credit.

Cell Phones: All cell phones must be turned off and put away. If I see/hear them (without permission), they will be confiscated and turned into the office.

Grades: Daily Goals, Journals, Participation, Classwork/Homework, Quizzes, Tests, Written Reports/Papers, Projects. All grade will be weighted equally.