Freshman Leadership Homework Page

Community Service Volunteer Hours

We post these hours on your Skyward page as we receive them.  At any time you can see what we show as having been received from you.  There is no need for any surprises.  The earlier you complete, document and submit them, the earlier you'll see on your grade page that you're all set (or not!).  When you wait until the last minute to get concerned about them, there is generally unnecessary, unwanted chaos involved.

And NO, we do not need another 1 page proposal paper if you're continuing on something that's already been approved. By this point in the year, if you're jumping to a different project, write me a short email proposal and I'll get back to you about approving it ASAP.

For the record (AGAIN) you are to pick up your forms AND turn them in my room in the 'Magic' basket (NOWHERE ELSE).  Building is open all during school hours whether or not Miss E or myself are present - plus, you see us EVERY DAY. DO NOT ADD A LAYER OF INEFFICIENCY to this process by taking forms to the office.  Also, most of you are bringing forms to me to sign AFTER you've already done the hours - this totally disregards the process, and could conceivably result in your not getting credit for having volunteered at an unapproved site.

Terrible Ten - 5 - Tuesday, 1/11

Know the quotes from:

Bob Moawad (most people...), Einstein, Augustine, Richard Bach, H. Jackson Browne, what you think about...

Also be aware of the lists of people who accomplished things in 5 years (or less) and people who accomplished things at amazing ages. And have some clue about the various treatments of the amount of time allotted to us. Study well. Let's get Chick-fil-A

Terrible Ten - The Ultimate Gift - Thursday, 12/16

Viewing guide #1 paragraphs #s: 1, 5, 6, 13 (second page); viewing guide #2 paragraphs #s: 6, 12, 13, 16; viewing guide #3 paragraphs #s: 6, 7, 9, 10. And be sure you know the 12 gifts. I made up a mnemonic device you may find helpful (or not): I was DAY DREAMing about FRIENDS and FAMILY at Christmas with lots of GIVNG and GRATITUDE, as well as LAUGHTER, some LEARNING and LOVE. Now we just have the MONEY PROBLEMS of paying it off with a lot of hard WORK.  

there will NOT be a Terrible Ten on Wed. 12/15

It will be on Thursday, 12/16. Wednesday we will be meeting in the Hope Computer Lab. Your Ultimate Gift viewing guides will be due on Thursday before we take the Terrible Ten. The keys for the viewing guides have been posted to your google classroom. Access them and get your guides completed.

Terrible Ten - Think Win-Win - Fri 11/12

go to our google classroom and do the assignment:

TT Review - Habit #4

Use the appropriate link

(due tomorrow morning at 7:30)

to prepare for the Terrible Ten

Terrible Ten - First Things First, Thursday 10/14

Be sure you know the 'label' (from the tree, overview diagram) for the first 3 habits. Be prepared to label the 4 quadrants of the matrix about urgent vs important and know at least two activities in each of two of the quadrants. Also you'll want to know the advice from the summary matrix (the response to those things - do it now, drop it, etc.) Know the Prioritized Daily Task List and how/when we review them (for how much time). Know the three phases to creating the list. Know the key words for the A, B, and C priorities (they were written in green on the right hand half of an example PDTL). Know the quotes from Goethe, Edward Young and Benjamin Franklin.  Study well. Let's break the barrier and get some Chick-fil-A (you know, by putting first things first!!)

Assignment - The Life I Imagine

Write three paragraphs for me about: where you will be, what you will be doing, what your life will be like in 2 years, in 5 years and in 10 years (one paragraph for each). Identify what will be the driving force in your life, where you wil be living, what will occupy your time and efforts. (Hint: in 2 years most of you will be driving, maybe have a job?, be juniors in HS. In 5 years presumably you will be 19, 1+ years out of high school - college? 'real' job? moved out?, and in 10 years some of you will be married, maybe kids, beginning career, etc.) Give this some good thought and do your best to flesh out how you imagine your life will be in these future intervals. This will be due at the beginning of class, Friday, 10/1. 

Terrible Ten - Be Proactive Tuesday, 9/28

Know the two things that being proactive involves taking... and that pro, infers BEFORE. Be able to finish this statement, "You, and only you have the <5 blanks here>". Be able to explain how it is that proactive people manage not to be controlled by their physical environment. On the contrasting reactive and proactive language chart, be prepared to give me 4 of the 6 right hand expressions (entirely, no blanks to fill in). Be familiar with the Frankl statement that between (blank) and (blank) man has the (blank) to (blank), and be able to name at least 2 of the tools we use to do so. Be prepared to fill in the blanks on 3 of the 4 lines of the contrast chart of reactive and proactive ACTION (make excuses/accomplish things, etc.).Be able to label the 2 circles and give me 2 examples from each. Know the Elaine Maxwell quote about being the force. Be familiar with the contrast chart of Can-Do and No-Can-Do people. Study well and let's get some Chick-fil-A!  

Terrible Ten - Paradigm Tuesday 9/21

Be able to say what a paradigm is ( the way you... a model of how you...). Be able to cite 2 of the top ten all time stupid quotes, make the correct attribution and tell me why the paradigm is/was bad. I gave you 4 examples of some of our bad paradigms; be able to fill in the blanks on 3 of them (be familiar with them). Give me 3 of the 4 problems with paradigms. Be prepared to identify 3 paradigm shifts from the video, "Molder of Dreams". Know about the most important lessons you learn. Know why Guy's favorite teachers were his favs. Be familiar with the questions Kent Soderman's classmates asked him and how he responded. Be prepared to summarize the two paradigm shift stories I read to you as an introduction to the unit.  Study well and let's get some Chick-fil-A!!

Terrible Ten - Getting Off on the Right Foot

Thursday, 9/9

Be sure you know the name of this unit - it will not appear on any of the test slides tomorrow. Know what we say about it predetermining the likelihood of success, no guarantee, etc. Know the 3 ways we do or don't get off on the right foot. Know everything on the slide about first impressions. Know the importance of eye contact, confidence and a good handshake when meeting people. Know the 3 keys we gave about starting anything. Know the quote from Dr. Buchholz (what others do for us, and what we need). Know the quote about honesty and the Marcus Aureilus quote. And know my recommendations about your morning routine. LET'S GO!!

Terrible Ten - Carpe Diem

Thursday 9/2

Be sure you know the poem they read in the hallway. Know how Mr. Keating described both his boys and the current activity of the ones pictured in the trophy case. Know how Mr. Keating exhorts the boys after telling them to seize the day (make...). Know the Lincoln quote. Know what Mr. Keating tells them can change the world. Know what Mr. Keating says about poetry, beauty, romance, and love. Know what he told them not to let their poetry be. Know the shorter Thoreau quote (most men...). Know what I said seizing the day involves (two 'i' words). And know the Nick Saban quote about mediocre people and their opposites. Study well, let's get some chick fil-A!

Terrible Ten - Service/Creed

Wednesday, 8/25

Know the first 6 stanzas of the Creed word perfect! Be familiar with the Thomas Jefferson quote, and what comes with our rights and freedoms. Know the two things service involves. Know the quote about self preservation and self sacrifice. Know the Edward Everett Hale quote. Know what we said service was about, especially for leaders. Be familiar with our culture's perspective on servanthood. Know the quote about if serving is beneath you. Know Yoakum's law. Study well, let's get some chicken biscuits!

Terrible Ten - Attitude is Everything/ Creed

Thursday, 8/19

Know the first four stanzas of the Legacy Creed. Know the name of the unit. Know the William James quote about the greatest discovery. Be familiar with the attitude thermostat and what it means (why we used that metaphor). Know about the IMPACT of your attitude and that it is contagious! Know 4 of the 8 ways a PMA can help you. Be familiar with the things coach Taylor said a) to the team - aroma of your heart, b) to Brock when he said he was about out of strength, c) to Brock in the end zone. Know what Patrick Henry Hughes had to say about his disabilities and his comment about being blind and unable to walk. Study well. Is your attitude like the aroma of chick-fil-A? 

Terrible Ten - House Rules and Legacy Creed

Friday 8/13

Your two Creed stanzas (first two only) end up being the FIRST TWO questions, not the last two like I said in class. After that you're going to need to know the First 2 (of 3) Class rules (these are the 3 En s and what to do on your own time). You'll need to know the 3 Be s, and what you must do since class materials are not in a book, but only presented. You'll need to know what to use, and what not to be When Writing for Class. Know the guiding principle for class, know how I captioned the cartoon picture on the first slide in the 'How to Sit in a chair' portion of the lecture. Know the Wayne Dyer quote (posted over a picture of colored pencils). There will be a couple of bonus questions for each class where I reward you if you were paying especially close attention, but I don't reveal what those are ahead of time. Study well, let's all begin with A s! Roll Tide y'all!

Legacy Creed

All Leadership students will be required to memorize the Legacy Creed. We will begin testing on it by the end of the 1st week of school. The 10 stanza (each a separate line) creed follows:

We are Legacy High School and we are proudly distinctive; different than most.

I am responsible for my own performance, so I am always prepared and make no excuses.  I am in control of myself.

No one can make me feel inferior without my consent.

My standards are high; mediocrity is not an option.

My character matters; I will be honest in all my dealings, industrious, and cheerfully embrace the Legacy way of life.

I will treat everyone the way I wish to be treated, with love and respect.

I will add value wherever I am.

When life is not fair, I will not complain.  I choose a positive outlook.

What I am to be, I am now becoming.

The future belongs to me because I am seizing the day.

Syllabus

Leadership Class for Freshmen

Legacy High School

Mr. Yoakum 2021 – 2022

Term Grades are assembled as follow:

10% participation/attitude – Outstanding attitude and participation will automatically boost your grade. Conversely, poor participation or attendance could result in the reduction of your grade by an entire letter grade.

15% Community Service Volunteer Hours – Timely and appropriate submission of the appropriate number of volunteer hours will also boost your grade, while late, or non submission of the requisite number of community service hours will result in a prorated deduction to your grade.

75% Terrible Ten grades – each week (unit) you are likely to have a quiz grade. I call my quizzes Terrible Tens. This is the heart and soul of your leadership grade. Your average on these quizzes will make or break your success. If you do not miss any Terrible Tens during a quarter, I automatically drop your lowest Terrible Ten grade, further boosting your average (don’t miss my class!).

*Parents and Students are urged to check Skyward regularly for grade/service hours updates.

NO ONE NEEDS TO BE SURPRISED AT THE END OF A GRADING PERIOD

Grading Scale:

100%-90%=A

89%-80%=B

79%-70%=C

69%-60%=D

59% or below=F

Missed Work:

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up any work missed.  For each day that you are absent and excused, you will have one day to make up the missed work.  For example, if you miss two days of school, you have two days to work on and turn in the missing work.  *Extenuating circumstances may be considered. 

Teacher Contact Information:

Email: mike.yoakum@hopecharter.org

Phone number:  407-656-4673

The things listed below here are from previous academic years and I'm storing them for future reference; you may disregard them for now. I ALWAYS put the newest things on the TOP of the Homework page.

Freshmen Leadership Writing Assignment

Pick someone who confronted injustice; Research their battle; write a one page paper due on Friday, 1/31 (double spaced, Times New Roman 12 font, reverse name in upper right hand corner, otherwise NO MLA format - especially no wasted space on header and also no citiations). Tell me about what injustice they confronted. How did they confront/fight the injustice?

Share any amazing details and/or courageous stands they took (or were forced into). What was the outcome of their confronting this injustice? Here is my rubric for scoring this paper (SO KEEP THIS IN MIND WHILE YOU COMPOSE AND WRITE THIS PAPER!): Research quality demonstrated (this one is a DEAL BREAKER) 3 pts. Identification of injustice 2 pts. Depth of information 1 pont Discussion of relevant battles and challenges 1 point Quality of writing & effort 3 pts. THIS IS A TERRIBLE TEN GRADE and will not be dropped as a lowest test grade. Don't take this lightly!

Freshman Leadership Begin With the End in Mind Assignment: Due beginning of class Thursday

Interview Both Your Parents

Ask them about what they dreamt of becoming when they were your age and how it shaped their path in life.  At some point feature the question, "Is this the life you imagined for yourself?" follow up with questions like How so? or Why not? Have them talk to you about how they got where they presently are AND if they still have as yet unmet aspirations. You might want to ask what their best decision and worst decisions were.  Finish up by asking them for whatever advice they might have for you concerning realizing your dreams (you'll need to share them with your parents if you haven't already). If need be, you can conduct this interview over the phone, wherever your parents are.

Special Note:

If you have step parents I'd like you to interview them too.  Be sensitive to what your parents may not feel comfortable revealing to you. But if you're honestly seeking their wisdom, I would imagine they will be forthright with you about whatever snags they may have hit along the way (and how you might avoid them!). The point of this isn't for you to be nosey, but to be gleaning all the wisdom you can as you BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

Style and Format requirements: You should write a page for each parent and/or step parent and it should be typewritten and printed. Double space in Times New Roman font, size 12. DO NOT give me a 1/3 page header. Just reverse your name in the upper right hand corner and begin writing. No title or heading is necessary.

Reminder from my Teacher page: 

I seldom give overnight homework assignments (once every couple of weeks), but usually require real investment during each class period. There should be plenty of thinking and applying that is less objectively gradable as they leave the classroom. In most such cases, effort is considered heavily.

THIS YEAR I WILL REQUIRE ALL HOMEWORK WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS TO BE TYPED/PRINTED ACCORDING TO MLA STANDARDS as they are for English classes (minus the heading formatting that wastes a lot of space). Students failing to print them out and choosing to email them to me (not a good option) will be charged $1 per page for me to print them.

LEADERSHIP FINAL

Your final will be done during the regular class period on Monday, May 13th 

You will compose (in class) a paper detailing your Top Ten Takeaways from the year in Leadership.  You will want to review your notes and decide on which ten quotes or principles were the most meaningful (or at least memorable) from THIS YEAR's Leadership class.  You will let me know what each one is and explain to me why you chose it and how it has impacted your life (or how you see it impacting your life going forward).  You will need to do this from memory, so review them and be familiar with which ten are the TOP TEN,  You may use NO MORE THAN TWO from any one unit.  As always, Your papers will be graded on content, quality and effort.  Don't forget to be (over) equipped (no excuses!! lol) with paper and pen for that period.

The Power of Positive Summit - April 22 - 28

Sign on to the PowerOfPositiveSummit.com and register (free).  Watch at least 3 of the talks.  Write a one page paper as follows: A couple of sentences about each of the two talks you're NOT featuring and the remainder of the page about the (1) talk you most enjoyed.  You should tell me about each - who spoke, who they are and your application of the material presented.  Obviously you're going to give more details about the one talk you choose - what was unique, how it impacted you, any striking details.  Don't be lame - give this some thought and engage the materials.  Paper will be DUE Friday, May 3 at the beginning of class.

Teacher Appreciation

Assignment:  Write a letter of sincere appreciation to one of your teachers. This is an exercise in gratitude.  Discipline yourself to write a letter to one who is not necessarily your favorite. You will turn these in to me for delivery. Your letter will receive a Terrible Ten grade for quality and content. Do good work. These are due to be turned in at the beginning of class Tuesday, May 7^th.

Community Service Volunteer Hours

There are many misunderstandings currently surrounding the posting (or not) of your required Community Service Hours.  Soleil posts these hours on your ProgressBook page as she receives them.  At any time you can see what we show as having been received from you.  There is no need for any surprises.  The earlier you complete, document and submit them, the earlier you'll see on your grade page that you're all set (or not!).  When you wait until the last minute to get concerned about them, there is generally unnecessary, unwanted chaos involved.

And NO, we do not need another 1 page proposal paper if you're continuing on something that's already been approved. By this point in the year, if you're jumping to a different project, write me a paragraph about the NEW project and have me sign it to submit to Soleil (if you like, talk to me about it and transcribe our conversation - still to be signed and submitted).

For the record (AGAIN) you are to pick up your forms AND turn them in at Soleil's desk (NOWHERE ELSE).  Building is open all during school hours whether or not Soleil or myself are present - plus, you see us EVERY DAY. DO NOT ADD A LAYER OF INEFFICIENCY to this process by taking forms to the office - we've been collecting them directly since 4th quarter LAST YEAR.  Also, most of you are bringing forms to me to sign AFTER you've already done the hours - this totally disregards the process, and could conceivably result in your not getting credit for having volunteered at an unapproved site.

Please note what we posted earlier in the year (1st Quarter)

<< Community Service Volunteer Hours

Assessment of Community Needs paper due Wednesday, 9/12 at the beginning of class

One paragraph statement of your proposed community service involvement based on your assessment of needs.  This may be handwritten, but MUST BE IN INK!!

Be sure to pick up your community service documentation forms at Soleil's desk and bring them to me for me to sign, authorizing (in advance) your service at that site. Freshmen need 9, sophomores need 10, Juniors need 11 this quarter- must be turned in to Soleil by Friday, 10/5. >>

Welcome Back for a new Semester!

Here are some tips for improving your leadership grade this quarter.

1. Stay tuned-in during class presentations

2. Change where you sit/ by whom you are seated.

3. Refuse to be side-tracked by side discussions

4.Take more careful/thorough notes

5. Keep a good notebook

6. Get hours documented and turned in EARLY (which is on time)

7. Prepare more carefully for Terrible Tens

8. More faithful attendance ("Don't miss my class!")

9. Checking in on the homework page daily

10. Taking on some extra credit challenges