Dynamics of Leadership

Sprague High School

2010-2011
Mrs. Fisher

I want to welcome you to what will be an incredible year. This school year we will study student
leadership techniques and theory to better support the dynamics of a high school leader. This
course will provide students with opportunities to learn, practice and perform leadership
skills. Students will plan, perform, and evaluate events throughout the year.

Goals and Objectives

• To learn and perfect leadership skills.
• To plan and organize activities.
• To represent the student body at school and within the community.
• To become better leaders.

Course Description:

Dynamics of Leadership is a one year elective course (that can be repeated for credit) designed
for students who want to get involved in the planning and implementation of Sprague High
School activities and are seeking to enrich both school and community. Students enrolled in
leadership will learn the following leadership skills standards:

• project planning and implementation

• problem solving
• public speaking
• interpersonal communication
• team building
• working collaboratively
• critical thinking
• goal setting
• time management

Course Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

Course Methodology:

Leadership is designed to meet the needs of Sprague High School’s developing leaders. During
times of activities students can expect to promote events, help out with lunch time and after
school activities, and help to set up and in the clean up after events. Throughout the year
leadership skills will be reinforced through readings, discussions, videos, games, simulations,
group work and team-building activities.
Course Expectations:

Students will complete all assignments with their best effort- Students should expect to have
assignments that will serve to teach a specific leadership skill, or as a reflection of a school wide
activity. These assignments may be in the form of a writing activity, reading reflection, team-
building activity, video reflection, simulation, etc.

Students will participate in student sponsored activities- Students are expected to attend at
least one school wide activity per semester (this includes pep rallies, tailgate parties, powder puff
football, talent shows, homecoming, dances, etc.), and help in setting and cleaning up.

Students will display characteristics of a leader with attitude, behavior and work ethic-
Leadership students should exhibit an attitude and desire to participate in class/school activities
and show concern for an improved school climate. As your advisor, I am not looking for excuses
for non-participation or voices of negativity. I also need to be able to trust your leadership and
decision making skills. In leadership you are given a great deal of freedom. If you give me any
reason not to trust you or to question your leadership/decision making skills, you will not remain
in this class.

Students will be self-directed in completing tasks- Leadership students should not be in need
of constant nagging and prompting to complete a task or to make productive use of time.
Leadership students should be proactive in completing tasks, or getting clarification on what
needs to be accomplished.

Keys for success:

1. Materials: Students must bring all their materials EVERYDAY. Materials include any
textbooks being read. The materials required are: one 70-80 page spiral bound notebook (one
for each semester), 2 pens, 2 pencils, 2 highlighters, 2 glue sticks, and post –it notes.

2. If Absent: The student is expected to find out the work missed THE DAY THEY GET
BACK and the missed assignment is due the NEXT DAY. This work will be considered on
time. Late work drops the grade from what it originally would have earned each day that it is
late. Other than late work from an excused absence, I DO NOT ACCEPT late work Please
note that this is a strict policy. Students must be responsible and turn things in on time.

3. Attendance: Attendance is crucial to a student’s success. Students must be here to be

able to do well in this class. After 5 absences, excused or not, I will call home and let the
parent/guardian know that the students grade is being adversely affected by poor
attendance. After 8 absences (in a six week grading period), I will notify the parent/
guardian again and send an attendance referral to the office.
 4. Homework: Students can expect homework every night except for Fridays and major
breaks (Winter/Spring). Homework that is done poorly, where it is sloppy, illegible,
written in incomplete sentences, or not done in its entirety, will be returned to the student
to re-do for partial points. Please review the absence policy, as it contains important
information about turning in homework assignments if absent. Let me reiterate- I do not
accept late work and homework is expected to be completed and turned in on time.
Grading

Students are graded on a regular A-F grading scale (A = 90-100%, B= 80-89%, C= 70-79%, D=
60-69%, F= 59 or below)

40% Leadership Curriculum Work (Includes final portfolio)

20% Homework
20%Tests/Quizzes
10% Community Service
10% Organization

It's completely up to you how much or how little you achieve in this class. You will be expected
complete all assignments and be an active participant in this class. This is an elective course, if
you do not meet the requirements of this course you will be asked to drop the course.

You will find that in addition to these requirements outlined above, I expect you to expect the
most of yourself. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at
fisher_beth@salkeiz.k12.or.us. You can also keep up with our website
www.olygb.blogspot.com. Please also feel free to call anytime at 503-399-3261.

-Mrs. Fisher