Course Profile   Leadership and Peer Support, Grade 11, Open, Catholic

 

Unit 2:  Interpersonal Knowledge and Skills

Time:  21 hours

 

Activity 1 | Activity 2 | Activity 3 | Activity 4 | Activity 5 | Activity 6 | Activity 7 | Activity 8 | Activity 9

Unit Description

Students will demonstrate an understanding of positive and healthy interpersonal relationships. Through group work and self-assessment activities they will identify and reflect on the relationships in their lives. The unit also provides the student with role-playing activities to allow for opportunities to demonstrate conflict resolution skills. Oral presentations and group work activities also will be used to have the student use communication skills and demonstrate the skills required to work with others effectively.

The student also will examine selected leadership styles and strategies and assess how they affect group interactions. The student will participate in team building activities which will allow him/her to demonstrate an understanding of the theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics.

The student will practise making community contacts by asking community members to discuss diversity and social justice issues with the class. The student will demonstrate an understanding of how community diversity and individual rights and responsibilities affect leadership and peer support roles by presenting to the class his/her conclusions on his/her research about social justice and contemporary social problems.

In conclusion, the focus of this unit is to give the student an understanding of how he/she fits as a Christian leader and peer supporter in his/her diverse community. This unit is designed so that the student has numerous opportunities to adopt the life roles of discerning believer, effective communicator, reflective and creative thinker, self-directed, responsible, life long learner, collaborative contributor, caring family member, and responsible citizen.

Unit Synopsis Chart

Activity

Time

Expectations

Assessment

Focus

1. Positive Healthy Relationships

420 min

IKV.01, IKV.03, PKV.01, PKV.02, IKI.01, IK1.02, IKI.03, IKI.04, IKI.05, IKI.06, IK4.03, IK4.04, CGE1d, CGE1j, CGE3c, CGE4a, CGE4b, CGE4d, CGE4e, CGE4g, CGE5a, CGE5c, CGE5e, CGE5f, CGE7c, CGE7e, CGE7f

Application Communication Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry

Identify and assess Role playing
Group work Checklists
Self-reflection Brainstorming
Note taking
Case studies

2. Communication Skills

300 min

IKV.02, PKV.04, PKV.05, IK2.01, IK2.02, IK2.03, IK2.04, CGE2a, CGE2b, CGE2c, CGE4c, CGE4d, CGE4f, CGE5e

Thinking/Inquiry Application Communication Knowledge/ Understanding

Note taking
Group work
Case studies
Oral presentation Research
Active learning exercises

3. Group Dynamics

240 min

IKV.01, IKV.03, IK3.01, IK3.02, IK3.03, IK3.04, IK3.05, IK3.06, IK4.03, CGE1d, CGC1i, CGE2a, CGE2b, CGE2c, CGE3b, CGE3e, CGE5a, CGE5c, CGC5f, CGE7e

Thinking/Inquiry Application Knowledge/ Understanding Communication

Group work Cooperative learning activities
Checklists
Goal-setting exercises Inventories Developing a contract
Active learning

4. Connecting with the community

300 min

IKV.01, IKV.03, EOV.01, IKI.05, IK3.01, IK3.04, IK3.05, IK4.01, IK4.03, IK4.04, IK4.05, PK2.03, EO2.02, CGE1d, CGE1h, CGE2c, CGE3e, CGE5a, CGC4a, CGC5a, CGC5e, CGE7e, CGE7f, CGE7j

Knowledge/ Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication

Research
Oral presentations Active learning Analyse and synthesize information
Group work
Making community contacts

 

Activity 1:  Understanding the Characteristics of Positive Relationships

Time:  140 minutes

Description

The student will gain an understanding of the components of a healthy positive relationship by examining and assessing some of the relationships that exist in his/her life. Through class discussion and group work the student will understand the early signs of an abusive relationship. Relationships with friends, parents or guardians, teachers, coaches, and employers will be specifically examined.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

PKV.02 - identify criteria for assessing the effectiveness of individuals in leadership and peer support roles and use these criteria to assess their own leadership and peer support capabilities.

Specific Expectations

IK1.01 - demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of positive relationships and of the early signs of an abusive relationship;

IK2.03 - describe the elements of effective interpersonal relations (e.g., respect for differences, flexibility, honesty, integrity) and demonstrate their use in selected leadership and peer support roles in the school or community;

IK3.06 - identify the types and sources of pressure on adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, family tensions) describe the behaviours that may result, and identify appropriate strategies to deal with pressure;

IK4.04 - explain how power can be used positively or misused in work, family, and peer contexts and identify strategies to deal with situations where power is misused (e.g., gang aggression, child abuse, workplace harassment).

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1j - recognizes that “sin, human weakness, conflict and forgiveness are part of the human journey” and that the cross the ultimate sign of forgiveness is at the heart of redemption (Witness to Faith);

CGE2a - listens actively and critically to understand and learn in light of gospel values;

CGE2b - reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

CGE2c - presents information and ideas clearly and honestly and with sensitivity to others;

CGE3c - thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE3d - makes decisions in light of gospel values with an informed moral conscience;

CGE4e - respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others;

CGE6a - relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner;

CGE7a - acts morally and legally as a person formed in Catholic traditions.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Characteristics of positive healthy relationships

Planning Notes

·         The teacher should try to contact someone from the community to be a guest speaker about early signs of abusive relationships, e.g., school chaplain, local priest, a lawyer, a counsellor from a women’s shelter or sexual assault crisis centre, guidance counsellors, youth worker, etc.

·         The teacher must be aware of the Catholic Church’s teachings on positive healthy relationships.

·         The website provided at the end of this activity has great resources on topics of healthy relationships.

·         The teacher needs to be sensitive to the fact that students in the class may have been affected by abusive relationships. Awareness of support services which are available will be important.

·         The teacher should prepare a unit overview to hand out to the class at the beginning of this activity.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will introduce this activity by explaining that it will begin with the student examining interpersonal relationships and then outline the components of the rest of the unit.

2.   The teacher will ask students to list and brainstorm as a class all the relationships that they know (e.g., friend to friend, parent to child, teacher to student, sibling to sibling, cousin to cousin, employer to employee, etc.). The teacher will ask the student to pick three important relationships in his/her life and assess these relationships by asking the student to list the likes and dislikes in these relationships. Students will be asked to share their likes and dislikes with the class. The teacher will stress that only students who are comfortable sharing with the class need do so.

3.   The teacher will have a discussion with the class about the characteristics of positive and abusive relationships. The class will produce a list of characteristics which students will copy into their notebooks and be asked to reflect on throughout this activity, e.g.,

Characteristics of Positive Relationships

Characteristics of Abusive Relationships

·         Supporting each other

·         Controlling one another

·         Respecting each other

·         Being disrespectful to one another

·         Trusting each other

·         Lying and manipulating one another

·         Being loving and caring

·         Hurting each other physically and/or psychologically

4.   If community resources are available, the teacher may contact someone from a women’s shelter or a sexual assault crisis centre, or their school chaplain or local priest to come and talk to the class about early signs of abusive relationships.

5.   The teacher will ask students to examine the relationships in their lives and assess if they fall into the category of positive or abusive. This assessment and reflection could occur in journal form. Students will begin by looking at the relationships with their friends by trying to design a “Perfect Friend.” Students will be given a sheet with a silhouette of a male and female head. Students will be asked to write the qualities of a perfect friend around the silhouette. The teacher will ask students to share their qualities with the class and will produce a class list of the qualities of a perfect friend. The teacher encourages the class to discuss how they feel about the qualities that are being identified. Students will then reflect on the qualities and circle the qualities that they possess and highlight the qualities that they believe their own best friend possesses.

6.   The teacher then will explain to students that they will be performing the same type of process with other relationships. The teacher will divide the class into four groups and each group will try to identify the perfect qualities of a specific type of relationship. One group will examine the relationship of parent and child, another the relationship of student and teacher, another the relationship of student and coach, and another the relationship of employee and employer. In groups, the teacher will ask students to complete the following tasks:

(i)   list all of the characteristics of a perfect parent, teacher, coach, or employer

(ii)  circle the characteristics that your perfect parent, teacher, coach, or employer has

(iii) identify the top three characteristics that your group considers to be the most important

(iv) demonstrate how these top three qualities are used effectively in a leadership or peer support role by performing a role-play for the class. After each role-play the class will have a short discussion expressing their feelings about the presentation. This will be an opportunity for others in the class to provide input into the types of relationships that they were not working on.

7.   The teacher will conclude this activity by asking students to write a reflection paper explaining how they feel power can be used positively or misused in a variety of relationships with family, at work, and/or school with peer contexts and identifying strategies to deal with situations where power is misused (e.g., gang aggression, child abuse, workplace harassment).

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         The rubric for Written Work may be used to assess students’ critical thinking and application skills. (see Appendix F)

Accommodations

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations.

·         Provide additional structure for the reflection paper or give more time to complete it.

·         The student will be put into a group where he/she will find peer support.

Resources

Community guest speakers

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catechism of The Catholic Church. Publication Service, 1994. ISBN: 0-88997-281-8

St. Mary’s Press www.smp.org

Toner Rizzo, Patricia. Relationships and Communication Activities. Just for the Health of It! Health Curriculum Activities Library, The Centre For Applied Research In Education, 1993.
ISBN 0-87628-847-6

“Youth Updates” monthly articles from St. Anthony’s Messenger.

– www.americancatholic.org

Appendix

Appendix F – Rubric for Written Work

Activity 2:  Good Mental Health

Time:  140 minutes

Description

Students will work individually or with partners to complete inventory lists and have discussions which will allow students to demonstrate an understanding of the elements of good mental health. The student will identify the stressors and the symptoms of stress in his/her life and will focus on the positive ways of dealing with stress. The teacher will focus the discussion on the importance of positive self-esteem to good mental health and the class will do a variety of group activities in which the student will use feedback effectively and appropriately to help others identify his/her strengths and areas needing improvement.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

PKV.01 - explain how their aspirations, competencies, talents, temperaments and characteristics may affect their interaction with others.

Specific Expectations

IK1.02 - demonstrate an understanding of the elements of good mental health;

IK2.01 - explain the benefits and pitfalls of expressing emotions and demonstrate appropriate ways of managing their own emotions and responding to others’ expressions of emotions.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE2a - listens actively and critically to understand and learn in light of gospel values;

CGE2b - reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

CGE2c - presents information and ideas clearly and honestly and with sensitivity to others;

CGE3c - thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE3d - makes decisions in light of gospel values with an informed moral conscience;

CGE4e - respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others;

CGE4g - examines and reflects on one’s personal values, abilities and aspirations influencing life’s choices and opportunities.

Planning Notes

·         The teacher should create a number of handouts for the student to complete the activities.

·         The teacher needs to create a sheet with example situations of factors that may make the student feel uncomfortable. Some examples are provided in the teaching and learning strategies.

·         The teacher may need to research the symptoms of stress and prepare an information sheet or overhead.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher has a class discussion about the different comfort zones that individuals have and the need to respect these differences. The teacher should point out that some relationships may put people out of their comfort zone and make them feel vulnerable. The teacher may ask students to identify their own comfort zone by asking them to identify things that make them feel uncomfortable and vulnerable and explain why this occurs. The teacher may choose rather to give students a handout with examples of specific situations and ask students to place a “Y” beside the situations that they would feel comfortable doing, an “N” if the situation would cause a little discomfort and an “X” if it takes students out of their comfort zone. The teacher will ask students to add any other situations that take students out of their comfort zone to the sheet provided. The following are sample situations that can be used:

·         Introduce yourself to a stranger

·         Try out for a sports team

·         Audition for a play

·         Tell your friend that they have body odour

·         Sit at a lunch table with people you do not know if no other seats are available

·         Break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend

·         Make a speech in front of the student body

·         Sell items for a fund raiser

2.   The teacher will conclude with the class that some of these situations are very stressful and cause people to lose their composure. The teacher also will discuss that it is important to identify the stressors in order to learn how to lessen their effect. The teacher will ask the class to work in pairs and identify what things cause them to lose their composure. The teacher may choose to give out a handout using some of the following factors. Students will be asked to place a check mark next to each factor that causes them stress. Students are encouraged to add to the list any other factors not mentioned.

·         being late

·         not being prepared

·         not enough time given

·         not being believed

·         your siblings’ demands

·         no date for a dance

·         family disagreements

·         no money

 

3.   The teacher will provide the students with a handout which identifies the symptoms of stress. It should include physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms. Students will be asked to check all of the symptoms that have applied or currently apply to them. The teacher will ask students to discuss this chart with a partner in the class and to answer the following questions:

(i)   Do you and your partner have any similar symptoms of stress?

(ii)  How much stress do you believe you are currently under?

(iii) Discuss ways that each of you could eliminate some of the stressors that cause these symptoms.

4.   The teacher will follow-up this activity with a class discussion on healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with stress. One healthy way would be to exercise and an unhealthy way would be to use drugs and/or alcohol. The teacher will continue the class discussion by explaining the importance of having positive self-esteem with regard to good mental health, and will ask the class to identify things that make them feel good about themselves and explain why they do these things.

5.   The teacher will ask students to pair up and interview each other. The focus of the interview will be to find out positive characteristics about each other and then to share with the class how your partner can use these positive characteristics in a leadership and peer support role. The teacher will explain to students that receiving and giving compliments can build a person’s self-esteem. Students will practise giving and receiving compliments by doing the following activity. Each student will put their name on a blank sheet and then everyone in the class will write at least one positive comment on every, or every other person’s sheet. The teacher will emphasize that only positive comments must be used. When students return to their desks they will read the positive comments about themselves. A class discussion should follow on how this made everyone feel.

6.   The teacher may want to close this activity with a discussion on how to give sincere compliments and model for students. One example would be to change your compliment from an “I” statement to a “you” statement. Here is one example. “I really like your pink sweater” vs. “You have made a very good choice in selecting that pink sweater; the colour suits you well.” The teacher will explain that the last statement makes the compliment focus on the person being complimented rather than the person doing the complimenting and that will make the compliment more effective. The teacher will ask students to always try to build up self-esteem in others in everything that they do, but especially in leadership and peer support roles.

Accommodations

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations

·         The student will be put into a group where they will find peer support

Resources

Toner Rizzo, Patricia. Stress Management and Self-Esteem Activities. Just for the Health of It! Health Curriculum Activities Library, The Centre For Applied Research In Education, 1993.
ISBN 0-87628-874

The community

“Youth Updates” monthly articles from St. Anthony’s Messenger

www.americancatholic.org

 

Activity 3:  Conflict Resolution

Time:  140 minutes

Description

Student will describe a conflict resolution model and demonstrate its use to reduce conflict and reach mutually agreeable solutions in a variety of role-playing activities and games.

Strand(s) and Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

PKV.01 - explain how their aspirations, competencies, talents, temperaments, and characteristics may affect their interactions with others;

PKV.02 - identify criteria for assessing the effectiveness of individuals in leadership and peer support roles and use these criteria to assess their own leadership and peer support capabilities;

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

IKV.03 - demonstrate an understanding of theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics and use these to help individuals and diverse groups achieve their goals.

Specific Expectations

IKI.01 - demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of positive relationships and of the early signs of an abusive relationship;

IKI.04 - describe a conflict resolution model and demonstrate its use in a variety of situations to reduce conflict and reach mutually agreeable solutions;

IK3.04 - describe a variety of team-building strategies and explain how they facilitate positive interaction and improve group and individual results;

IK4.03 - identify how their rights and responsibilities and those of others influences the ways they perform various leadership and peer support roles;

IK4.04 - explain how power can be used positively or misused in work, family, and peer contexts and identify strategies to deal with situations where power is misused (e.g., gang aggression, child abuse, workplace harassment).

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1d - develops attitudes, and values founded in Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE1j - recognizes that “sin, human weakness, conflict and forgiveness are part of the human journey” and that the cross, the ultimate sign of forgiveness is at the heart of redemption (Witnesses to Faith);

CGE3c - thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE4a - demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others;

CGE4b - demonstrates flexibility and adaptability;

CGE4d - responds to, manages and constructively influences change in a discerning manner;

CGE5a - works effectively as an interdependent team member;

CGE5e - respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others;

CGE5f - exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals;

CGE7c - seeks and grants forgiveness;

CGE7e - witnesses to Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society;

CGE7j - contributes to the common good.

Planning Notes

·         The teacher must be prepared to handle certain discussions with a sensitivity to individual differences and rights, e.g., socio-economic level, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

·         The teacher needs to purchase enough chocolate kisses for everyone in the class.

·         The teacher should be familiar with a conflict resolution model to utilize with the class in this unit; an example is provided in the teaching and learning strategies.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will ask students to think of a recent conflict he/she has experienced, and to answer the following questions.

(i)   Who was involved in the conflict?

(ii)  What was the conflict about?

(iii) How did you feel about the conflict?

(iv) How did you express yourself?

(v)  How did the other party express him/herself?

(iv) Did you resolve the conflict? If so, how?

The teacher will ask students to brainstorm ideas of how they believe people deal with conflict. The teacher will write the list on the board and ask students to copy it into their notes. The list should include these ways: avoid, compromise, collaborate, confront or compete, and accommodate.

The teacher will ask students to pair up and discuss with a partner, a personal situation in which one of the examples mentioned on their list was used to deal with conflict. Students will be asked to assess if it was a successful way to resolve the conflict.

2.   The teacher will have a class discussion with students on the steps involved in resolving conflict. The teacher will provide the class with this information via an overhead, a note on the board, or a handout. The steps to conflict resolution are:

(i)   State the problem

(ii)  Define the scope of the problem

(iii) Brainstorm possible solutions

(iv) Identify the consequences of each possible solution

(v)  Choose a solution

The teacher will ask students to use the steps to conflict resolution in a role-play situation. Students will be asked to work with a partner. The teacher will provide the class with role-play situations or they can make up their own. Some sample role-play situations are:

(i)   Two students of different races confront each other by calling out racial slurs.

(ii)  Your sister or brother borrowed an expensive sweater from you. When you planned to wear the sweater, it was not available and when it was returned you noticed a stain on the sweater.

(iii) A teacher confronts a student with an accusation that a research paper written by that student was plagiarized.

(iv) You have discovered that your boyfriend/girlfriend went on a date with one of your good friends.

(v)  You want to go to a movie with your friend but your friend has his/her heart set on going ice skating and would like you to go with her/him.

The teacher will reinforce the idea of working towards a win-win solution when possible. The teacher will ask the class to assess each role-play for effective conflict resolution. The teacher will then ask students to outline some possible conflict situations that they may encounter in leadership or peer support roles and identify ways of resolving these conflicts by using the conflict resolution model. If time allows, students may role-play these situations.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         Summative evaluation by having the student analyse specific case studies and assessing student knowledge and understanding of the conflict resolution model and the ability of the student to apply this knowledge to specific case studies.

·         The rubric for role-play may be used to assess student knowledge and application skills.

Accommodations

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations.

·         The student will be put into a group where he/she will find peer support.

·         The student who is not comfortable role-playing may be the script writer or videotape him/herself in a role-play.

Resources

Jackson, Tom and Patricia Rizzo Toner. Activities That Teach 60 Hands-On Activities Covering Problem Solving, Values, Working Together, Communication, Self Esteem, Goal Setting, Decision Making. Just for the Health of It! Health Curriculum Activities Library, The Centre For Applied Research In Education, 1993. ISBN 0-9664633-1-5

Toner Rizzo, Patricia. Stress Management and Self-Esteem Activities. Just for the Health of It! Health Curriculum Activities Library, The Centre For Applied Research In Education, 1993. ISBN 0-87628-874

Appendix

Appendix C – Role-Play Rubric

 

Activity 4:  Interpersonal Relations Influenced by Social,

Peer and Family Influences

Time:  140 minutes

Description

The student will examine barriers that prevent individuals from being successful and create imbalances in their lives and community (e.g., substance abuse, poverty, and violence). The student will also examine the types of pressures that may confront many adolescents, and strategies to deal with these pressures effectively

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

IKV.04 - demonstrate an understanding of how community diversity and individual rights and responsibilities affect leadership and peer support roles.

Specific Expectations

IK1.02 - demonstrate an understanding of the elements of good mental health;

IK1.05 - define and explain concepts (e.g., bias, stereotyping, prejudice) and contemporary social problems (e.g., substance abuse, poverty, violence) that denote barriers to individual success, and identify strategies to address these barriers;

IK1.06 - identify the types and source of pressure on adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, family tensions, media influence), describe the behaviours that may result, and identify appropriate strategies to deal with pressure;

IK3.01 - explain how cultural background may affect communication, interpersonal relations, and leadership styles.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE3c - thinks, reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE4h - participates in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and healthy lifestyle;

CGE7f - respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the worlds’ peoples and cultures;

CGE7g - respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today’s contemporary society.

Planning Notes

·         Review Activity 1 for examples of positive relationships.

·         The following resources will be required; magazines, scissors, glue, construction paper, white paper, string, one coat hanger for each student, and cardboard.

·         The teacher will need a copy of The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss to read to the class for this activity.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will lead the class in a discussion about bias, stereotyping, and prejudice, as well as social issues such as poverty, violence, and substance abuse. Students will brainstorm ideas as to how to deal with these issues and the types of problems created by them. The teacher will provide the class with a note after the discussion. The teacher may assign the definitions as a task for research.

2.   The student will work individually on an activity to demonstrate how substance abuse creates imbalance in his/her life. The student will cut out from magazines pictures of activities in which he/she likes to participate, and places he/she would like to visit. He/she will glue these pictures onto a piece of construction paper so that both the picture and construction paper are even. Next, the student will attach strings to the bottom part of the coat hanger to make a mobile. The student will draw a poster a little larger than his/her photos, showing some kind of drug (Students may adapt this poster to be a picture of poverty, stereotyping, violence, or bias). This should be drawn on white paper and glued to the cardboard. The student will tie the poster to the end of the coat hanger so the mobile is off balance and tilts towards the larger picture. After discussion they can remove the larger poster from the mobile and mount it on the wall with an X through it. This symbolizes the return to balance in one’s life when the negative influence is removed.

3.   When the activity has been completed the teacher facilitates a discussion about the types of pictures students chose for their mobile and how drugs (or stereotyping, bias, prejudice, etc.) create an unbalanced life. The students will brainstorm possible solutions to create balance in their lives or community.

4.   The teacher reads the story “Sneetches” to the class to demonstrate the pressure adolescents experience and how it affects their behaviour. The class will brainstorm about the various groups that are presented in the story and the teacher will provide a list of the groups as a note.

5.   The teacher will facilitate a discussion to elicit responses from the class regarding the treatment of the various groups and the lessons that were learned by each group in the story. The teacher also may choose to discuss the story The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and discuss the reasons why the Grinch was ostracized. The student will work in a group setting and discuss the following issues: i) What groups are considered in or out? ii) What happens in society when groups think they are better than others? iii) How do people feel if they are labelled in or out? iv) Does the student know anyone who was part of the in or out groups without naming specific individuals? v) What role does the media or family play in developing self image? A student in the group will act as a scribe and write down the group’s responses; each of the group’s responses will be shared with the class.

6.   Students will discuss current examples where ostracism has led to a tragic consequence in a school as a result of bias, status, prejudice, media influence, violence, or substance abuse, and how these tragedies could have been avoided.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         The teacher may use the mobile rubric to assess students’ inquiry skills and application of concepts. A sample rubric is provided in the appendix.

·         The student will complete a quiz to assess the knowledge and understanding of the various concepts and definitions introduced.

Accommodations

·         Groups may be assigned based on learning strengths and weaknesses.

·         The student may have his/her notes or test scribed.

·         Oral testing or taped responses may be used, if indicated on the IEP

·         The student may be challenged further to research a particular person who experienced adversity due to prejudice, stereotyping, substance abuse, or poverty. The student may also research the role of the media and its influence on society’s views regarding these issues.

·         See IEP for specific accommodation

Resources

Jackson, Tom. More Activities That Teach Over 80 Hands-on Learning Activities for Today That Make a Difference for Tomorrow. Just for the Health of It! Health Curriculum Activities Library, The Centre for Applied Research in Education, 1995.

Dr. Seuss. The Sneetches and Other Stories. Random House

Dr. Seuss. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Random House

Appendix

Appendix E – Collage/Poster/Mobile Rubric

 

Activity 5:  Communication Skills

Time:  280 minutes

Description

The student will identify the elements of effective communication and demonstrate his/her skill in selected leadership and peer support roles. The student will have the opportunity to practise effective listening skills and the use of effective feedback when working with peers.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.02 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to effective communication;

PKV.04 - demonstrate an understanding of effective learning strategies for use in tutoring and mentoring roles;

PKV.05 - demonstrate an understanding of barriers to effective learning and of school and community resources available to address these barriers.

Specific Expectations

IK2.01 - explain the benefits and pitfalls of expressing emotions and demonstrate appropriate ways of managing their own emotions and responding to others’ expressions of emotions;

IK2.02 - describe the elements of effective communication (e.g., active listening, non-judgmental statements, paraphrasing) and demonstrate their use in selected leadership and peer support roles in the school or community (e.g., tutoring, mentoring, coaching, mediating, assisting with school or community projects);

IK2.03 - use feedback effectively and appropriately to help others identify their strengths and areas needing improvement;

IK2.04 - demonstrate an understanding of how to respond appropriately to peers’ disclosures of serious personal matter (e.g., health problems, physical and emotional abuse, family issues, harassment, substance abuse).

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE2a - listens actively and critically to understand and learn in light of gospel values;

CGE2b - reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

CGE2c - presents information and ideas clearly and honestly and with sensitivity to others;

CGE4c - takes initiative and demonstrates Christian leadership;

CGE4d - responds to, manages and constructively influences change in a discerning manner;

CGE4f - applies effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving, time and resource management skills;

CGE5e - respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others.

Planning Notes

·         The teacher should prepare a list of “hot topics” on cue cards that will be used in an active listening exercise.

·         Role-play scenarios should be prepared on cue cards (see Teaching Learning Strategies).

·         Teacher may wish to invite students who have tutored effectively in the past to attend the seminar on tutoring and mentoring techniques. Experienced tutors/mentors may share their leadership experiences with their peers. The teacher may have to contact the student service department to identify the students who have been effective peer tutors.

Teaching Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will break the class into diads and give each pair a “hot topic” for discussion. (e.g., abortion, capital punishment, superiority of males in sports over females, lowering the drinking age, etc.) One partner will draw the topic and try to persuade the other person to believe he/she is right about the topic (approx. 45 seconds.). The listener must face the speaker and repeat by paraphrasing what the speaker has said. The speaker must agree on what the partner has heard before the two switch roles. After the diads have completed the exercise, the teacher will conduct a class discussion on the process. Possible questions could include:

·         How did you feel when you were unable to summarize the speaker’s remarks?

·         Did it help your understanding of his/her point of view?

·         Was communication enhanced in this process?

·         Would using this process make conflict resolution easier or more difficult?

·         What have you learned from this activity that you could apply as a student leader?

2.   The teacher will lead a class discussion with an opening question such as “Have you ever tried to talk to someone who you knew was not listening to you? How did it make you feel? What can you do to let someone know you are listening to them?” The teacher will list the following ways to listen actively which students will copy into their notebook

·         lean forward/nod

·         eye contact

·         ask questions

·         don’t interrupt

·         give verbal encouragement

·         agree with the speaker

·         paraphrase the speaker’s ideas

3.   To demonstrate an understanding of active listening techniques, the class will be divided into two even groups and form two concentric circles (one inside the other). The class should pair up and face each other. The teacher will explain to the class that a topic will be called out and that one partner (inside circle) will talk about it and then call out an active listening skill (e.g., ask questions) that the other partner (outside circle) will practise. Allow 35-45 seconds to talk and respond. Next have students in the inside circle move one person to the left. The teacher will then call out the next topic that one partner (the outside circle this time) will talk about, and a listening skill that the other partner (the inside circle) will practise. Repeat as time allows. The teacher will review active listening techniques and emphasize that good listening skills are an essential quality of successful leaders and an important aspect of good communication skills.

4.   The teacher will create a variety of role-play scenarios on cue cards. It is suggested that the role-play scenarios be reflective of the peer support roles that student leaders are involved in. In pairs, the student will role-play the characters paying particular attention to effective communication skills by the student in the peer support role of the role-play scenarios.

(a)  Bill is a student who needs extra help in math. The teacher asks John (the peer tutor for the class) to work one-on-one with Bill in the library. On the way to the library Bill says to John, “The only reason you are helping me is because you get a credit for peer tutoring! You could care less about me!”

(b)  Betty is a member of student council who worked very hard in the first semester but has faltered considerably early in semester two. Lately she has been missing meetings and rarely does her share of the work. Susan, a fellow student council member, feels it is not fair to the rest of the group that Betty is doing less and decides to confront Betty privately to discuss the issue.

(c)  Patrick is a Grade 12 student who volunteers his time as a coach for the elementary basketball league. A parent of one of the players accuses Patrick of favouring the better players with more court time. The parents set up a meeting with Patrick and the Athletic Director to discuss Patrick’s coaching abilities and techniques.

(d)  Phyllis, a grade 9 student confides to Samantha (a peer mentor) that her step-father has hit her on more then one occasion. Phyllis pleads with Samantha to keep her secret.

Upon completion of each role play the teacher should lead a class discussion on the effective use of communication skills in each scenario and the effectiveness of the student in the peer support role.

Possible discussion questions

(a)  How effective was the student in the leadership role?

(b)  What did you like or dislike in their responses?

(c)  What would you have done differently?

(d)  What other ways could the situation have been handled?

(e)  Is there always a “right way” to handle every situation?

(f)  Whom could either individual turn to for help?

Note: It is important that scenario d) be given appropriate attention. Students must know that there are limits to peer confidentiality when a person is in danger or may place another person in danger.

5.   The teacher will conduct a class seminar on the effective use of peer tutoring and mentoring techniques

(a)  Students will identify the qualities of a favourite teacher. What makes a good teacher? Students can refer to Activity 1 where qualities of a good teacher were identified.

(b)  List responses on the board. Common answers will include: friendly, outgoing, positive outlook, caring, well organized, good discipline techniques, good motivator, and consistent witness to Gospel values.

(c)  Are the traits of a good teacher learned or are they innate?

(d)  The class will construct a list of strategies to help students in a peer support role to “learn” the qualities that make successful teachers and student leaders.

6.   The teacher will lead a large group discussion and outline on the board the skills and strategies necessary to be effective in leadership and peer support roles. The teacher will encourage students to brainstorm the methods that seem to work in the classroom based on his/her personal experiences. The class as a whole will construct a peer tutor “tip sheet” that outlines effective peer tutoring techniques. The class will be expected to record effective tutoring experiences on an ongoing basis using a journal.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         An oral communication rubric may be used to assess the student’s communication skills in both the large and small group settings.

·         A rubric for written work may be used to assess the student’s journal for critical thinking and application skills.

Accommodations

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations.

·         Students will be partnered with peers who can provide support for small group activities.

·         The teacher may provide additional structure for group work.

·         The student may tape their journal entries if indicated on the IEP.

Resources

Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors. CASAA Leadership Handbook Lessons for Students Resources for Advisors. Copyright 1998. Publication Rep. Dave Conlon Glenview Park S.S 55 Mckay St. Cambridge, On N1R 4G6 fax (519) 621-5860

NASSP. Leadership Lessons Lesson To Lead By 50 Lesson Plans for Teaching Leadership Concepts and Skills. 1998. ISBN 0-88201-328-8

Appendices

Appendix B – Oral Communication Rubric

Appendix F – Rubric for Written Work

 

Activity 6:  Leadership Styles

Time:  70 minutes

Description

The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate various types of leadership styles and the role that cultural background plays in influencing leadership styles and interpersonal relations. This is a short activity to introduce the concept that each individual has a unique leadership style. The activity then leads into a discussion of cultural influences on the individual’s leadership style and how it affects interpersonal relationships and roles within the group.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

IKV.03 - demonstrate an understanding of theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics and use these to help individuals and diverse groups achieve their goals.

Specific Expectations

PK2.02 - identify and describe the leadership style that is best suited to their personality profile;

PK3.01 - identify the personal management skills and personal characteristics that are needed to be effective in leadership and peer support roles;

IK3.01 - explain how cultural background may affect communication, interpersonal relations, and leadership styles;

IK3.02 - demonstrate the skills required to help others define and achieve their goals (e.g., action planning, coaching);

IK3.03 - describe theories of group dynamics (e.g., theories describing stages of group development, roles of group members) and produce an analysis of the dynamics of groups in which they participate;

IK3.05 - explain how selected leadership styles and strategies affect group interaction and results;

IK4.03 - identify how their rights and responsibilities and those of others influence the ways they perform various leadership and peer support roles.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1i - integrates faith with life;

CGE1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE2a - reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

CGE3b - creates, adapts, and evaluates new ideas in light of the common good;

CGE3c - thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems;

CGE7e - witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         An understanding of the terms autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire

Planning Notes

·         The following materials will be required: balloons, toothpicks or straws, and masking tape.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will ask students to put their hands out in front of them and clasp them together. Students will then separate their hands and then do this exercise again. The teacher will ask students to notice which thumb is on top and point out to students that this is their natural position. The teacher will ask students to clasp their hands together again with the other thumb on top. Students will realize from this activity that they have a natural tendency. The teacher will discuss with the class that natural tendencies often influence the leadership styles that one exhibits. The teacher facilitates a discussion asking students to compare how it felt to switch positions. Students will be asked to reflect on why it was difficult to clasp their hands in another way and why the process was not a natural one. The key here is to develop an understanding of what influenced the manner in which the student clasped their hands and how this can be related to the development of different leadership styles.

2.   The class will be divided into groups to construct a structure using straws, balloons, toothpicks, etc., and masking tape. Each group will be given a handout with the description of one specific leadership style. The group will be given a specific time frame in which to complete the construction task using the specific leadership style. Suggested leadership styles: autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic.) The teacher will ask students to evaluate each leadership style by identifying and explaining which type of leadership style they believed to be most effective and how each style affected the members of each of the groups.

The teacher and the class will produce a list of the characteristics of each of the leadership styles and will identify when the specific styles are effective and when they are ineffective (for example autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic). Students to copy this note into their notebook.

Accommodations

·         The student may have his/her notes scribed or photocopied.

·         Groups may be assigned based on their learning strengths and weakness.

·         See individual IEPs for specific accommodations.

Resources

Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors. CASAA Leadership Handbook Lessons for Students Resources for Advisors. Copyright 1998. Publication Rep. Dave Conlon Glenview Park S.S 55 Mckay St. Cambridge, On N1R 4G6 fax (519) 621-5860

 

Activity 7:  Team Building

Time:  70 minutes

Description

The main focus of this activity is to help the student to develop an understanding of what a team is and how it is developed. The student will also develop an understanding of the order in which a group develops and how each of the members’ contribution is important to the success of the group.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.03 - demonstrate an understanding of theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics and use these to help individuals and diverse groups achieve their goals.

Specific Expectations

IK3.03 - describe theories of group dynamics (e.g., theories describing stages of group development, roles of group members) and produce an analysis of the dynamics of groups in which they participate;

IK3.04 - describe a variety of team-building strategies and explain how they facilitate positive interaction and improve group and individual results;

IK3.06 - identify skills of effective leadership (e.g., building consensus, identifying and using strengths of group members) and demonstrate their use in classroom groups and in planning school or community events.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE5a - works effectively as an interdependent team member;

CGE5c - develops one’s God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society;

CGE5f - exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals.

Planning Notes

·         When discussing students’ lists of qualities that make up a team it is important to note the similarities between the various group lists since recurring items are usually essential to the notion of a team.

·         Materials required: felt tip marker for each group, chart paper and masking tape.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will divide the class into groups. Each group is given a marker and a piece of chart paper. One student is chosen to act as a scribe. The group will be given 10-15 minutes to brainstorm a list of things that they consider are qualities that characterize a group of people as a team. The characteristics are written on chart paper and put up on the wall for discussion. A spokesperson for each team explains the items that the team has listed. The teacher facilitates a discussion with the class to prioritize the list. The class produces a new list when a consensus has been reached. The teacher will have a discussion with the class about what happens to group teamwork when some of the qualities listed are not present. The class is given a copy of the list of elements of a group.

2.   As a practical application of the exercise the student who is active in leadership and peer support roles will chair a meeting of his/her leadership group and facilitate the development of a leadership contract which incorporates teamwork. This contract will be signed by all team members and posted in a common work place. This contract may evolve and/or change.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         Formative assessment of the contract may be done by using the Rubric for Written Work which is provided in Appendix F. This may be used to assess students’ understanding and application skills.

·         Peer and self-assessment of the development of the contract may be used to assess students’ communication, inquiry, and application skills.

Accommodations

·         The student may be paired within a group to complement the student’s skills and learning styles.

·         The student may be challenged to research Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how individual needs are met within a group.

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations.

Resources

Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisor. CASAA Leadership Handbook Lessons for

Students Resources for Advisors. Copyright 1998.

Appendix

Appendix F – Rubric for Written Work

 

Activity 8:  Building Consensus

Time:  70 minutes

Description

Students will develop an understanding of the difficulties of a group arriving at a consensus. Students will become aware of the individual influences of group members in arriving at a consensus and how various experiences and cultural backgrounds can influence decisions.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.03 - demonstrate an understanding of theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics and use these to help individuals and diverse groups achieve their goals.

Specific Expectations

IK3.01 - explain how cultural background may affect communication, interpersonal relations, and leadership styles;

IK3.06 - identify skills of effective leadership (e.g., building consensus, identifying and using strengths of group members) and demonstrate their use in classroom groups and in planning school or community events.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE5a - works effectively as an interdependent team member;

CGE5c - develops one’s God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society;

CGE5f - exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals.

Planning Notes

·         The teacher will need to provide a handout for each student with a list of twenty professions and a column for the student to check for individual ranking of the profession and a column for group ranking of the profession.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   Each student classifies the twenty professions according to how they view its prestige, from 1-20 (most prestigious to least prestigious), e.g., doctor, priest, truck driver, teacher, waitress, athlete, computer programmer, secretary, lawyer, custodian, athletic coach, Rabbi, stay at home parent, etc. The class is divided into groups to discuss the rankings and try to arrive at a consensus on a classification that everyone can agree on. The teacher facilitates a discussion to examine the individual influences exercised by each person in the group and its impact on the final decision. The teacher will ask students to indicate how his/her cultural background influenced his/her decisions. The class will evaluate why or why not a consensus was achieved.

2.   Journal: (Homework) From this activity explain why it is sometimes important as a group to come to a consensus on an issue. Do you think your group was successful in arriving at a consensus in your classroom activity? Why or why not? Explain how not arriving at a consensus could affect the planning of an activity or event that your group may be responsible for organizing.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         Assess the journal for knowledge and understanding and communication skills using the Rubric for Written Work.

Accommodations

The student may record the journal entries on tape if indicated on the IEP

See students’ IEP for specific accommodations.

Resources

Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors. CASAA Leadership Handbook Lessons for Students Resources for Advisors. Copyright 1993.

Appendices

Appendix F – Rubric for Written Work

 

Activity 9:  Diversity Within the Community

Time:  210 minutes

Description

Students will focus on the subject of diversity. Students will describe the dimensions of diversity within the community and gain an understanding of the value of diversity and why diversity in some cases could divide the community. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the profile of his/her school and in doing so better understand the diversity that exists in the school community.

Strand(s) & Learning Expectations

Overall Expectations

IKV.04 - demonstrate an understanding of how community diversity and individual rights and responsibilities affect leadership and peer support roles;

IKV.01 - demonstrate an understanding of and use theories and strategies related to positive and healthy interpersonal relationships;

IKV.03 - demonstrate an understanding of theories and strategies related to leadership and group dynamics and use these to help individuals and diverse groups achieve their goals;

EOV.01 - demonstrate the effective use of data-gathering techniques and print, electronic, and human resources to identify leadership and peer support opportunities in the school and the community.

Specific Expectations

IK4.02 - describe their rights and responsibilities as a part of a community whose members come from diverse backgrounds;

IK4.01 - describe the dimensions of diversity within their community (e.g., gender, culture, race, ability, age, religion, socio-economic level) and identify the value of diversity as well as the challenges it poses;

IK4.03 - identify how their rights and responsibilities and those of others influences the ways they perform various leadership and peer support roles;

IK4.04 - demonstrate on understanding of how community diversity and individual rights and responsibilities affect leadership and peer support roles;

IK4.05 - describe the causes and costs to individuals, families, and communities of discrimination, harassment, violence, and poverty, using appropriate documentation and statistical information;

IK3.01 - describe theories of group dynamics (e.g., theories describing stages of group development, roles of group members) and produce an analysis of the dynamics of groups in which they participate;

IK3.04 - describe a variety of team-building strategies and explain how they facilitate positive interaction and improve group and individual results;

IK1.05 - define and explain concepts (e.g., bias, stereotyping, prejudice) and contemporary social problems (e.g., substance abuse, poverty, violence) that denote barriers to individual success and identify strategies to address these barriers;

PK2.03 - explain how a variety of factors (e.g., culture, family background, personal experiences, the media) have influenced their motivation and skills related to support and leadership roles;

EO2.02 - demonstrate the ability to design and use a needs assessment questionnaire to identify the types of support needed in their school.

Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

CGE1d - develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good;

CGE1h - respects the faith traditions, world religions and the life-journeys of all people of good will;

CGE3e - adopts a holistic approach to life by integrating learning from various subject areas and experience;

CGE4a - demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others;

CGE5a - works effectively as an interdependent team member;

CGE5e - respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others;

CGE7e - witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just peaceful and compassionate society;

CGE7f - respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures;

CGE7j - contributes to the common good.

Prior Knowledge & Skills

·         Library/Resource Centre research skills

·         Computer skills

Planning Notes

·         The teacher must be prepared to handle certain discussions with a sensitivity to individual differences and rights, e.g., socio-economic level, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, learning disabilities, etc.

·         The teacher may wish to discuss a video or movie of someone who has overcome the obstacles or barriers that sometimes result from cultural diversity.

·         The teacher should be familiar with the cultural make-up of the class and encourage students to access guest speakers from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.

·         The teacher should book the Library/Resource Centre or computer lab and work closely with the library staff during the research project.

·         Magazines and newspapers should be available for the collage exercise.

·         The teacher should have sample copies of well-written questionnaires for the Diversity Survey exercise.

·         The teacher needs to have a class supply of lollipops of a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

1.   The teacher will print the letters spelling DIVERSITY on the board. Divide the class into groups of 2-5 participants and ask them to think of and write down as many words as possible for each letter that would help to define the concept of diversity. When the time is up, have each group share the words for each letter and record these words using a flip chart. Encourage the class to question each other’s responses and summarize by pointing out the variety of words used to define diversity, and that diversity is much more than race and gender. As an extension to the above activity, the student will create a collage that represents the concept of diversity. Encourage and challenge the student to go beyond race and gender in his/her collage to represent a broader understanding of the term, diversity, e.g., religion, music, language, interest, culture, etc.

2.   After discussing with the class the concept of diversity the following exercise promotes the concept of pluralism and that people belong to many groups simultaneously. The teacher will call out the name of a group to which students can identify. Students respond by raising their hand. The rest of the students will applaud. Examples of groups to be called: only child, visited another country, pierced ears, etc. Be creative with the categories and allow students to make up categories as well. After the last set of categories has been called out the teacher should ask the class the following questions:

·         What did this exercise show?

·         Would the exercise have been different if the categories were ethnicity, religion or geographical background?

Students will reach the conclusion that although each of us is unique, we also have many similarities and each one of us is a valuable part of the whole.

3.   The following activity illustrates the basic sameness of people despite the diversity that exists in the school community. The teacher will instruct students to sit in a circle. The teacher will have a large variety of coloured lollipops available. The teacher will “physically disable” some lollipops by bending the stick. The teacher will instruct students to hold the lollipop from the bottom of the stick. Students will be asked to check out each lollipop by passing them around the circle commenting on the similarities and differences. Students will be asked to make as many observations as possible about the lollipops, and to decide the differences that were noticed.

Answers will include size, shape, colour, condition (bent), etc. Students will see that the differences can be applied to humans as well. The teacher will continue the discussion by asking the questions: What is the best part of the lollipop? Students will suggest that the centre is the best. The class discussion should then focus on the fact that the “centre” is where all of the different lollipops are the same. The teacher will continue the discussion with the following questions:

(i)   How do we get past the wrapping, colour, and shape in our relationships with others?

(ii)  What does getting to the centre of a person mean?

(iii) How are we all the same in the centre?

(iv) Why are people with disabilities treated differently?

(v)  Is prejudice learned or genetic?

(vi) Why does it seem skin tones are more divisive than eye colour?

(vii) Why must leaders get past the wrapping?

(viii) How can you apply your experience from this activity to your role as a student leader?

4.   The teacher may wish to introduce the terms: exceptional student, learning disability, and intellectual exceptionality. The teacher will explain how these terms are related to the diversity of the student population. Peer tutors and peer mentors may work with some exceptional students and this is an excellent opportunity to introduce this information to them.

5.   The teacher will assign the following individual project. Students will be asked to research the life of an individual who has overcome one of the barriers that may result from diversity (gender, racism, religion, socio-economic status, etc.) Generate a list of possible candidates with the class, e.g., Gandhi, Jesus, Craig Kilberger, a saint, Casey Martin (handicapped golf professional), Oprah Winfrey, Pope John Paul, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King, Erin Brokavich, etc. Students will need at least one class period to do the necessary research for the completion of this assignment. The teacher should predetermine the nature of the final product, e.g., one-page essay, an oral presentation, or a bristol board display.

6.   Students will brainstorm a list of all the differences we enjoy as humans. The teacher will list all of the responses on the board (e.g., sex, religion, language, brothers/sisters, favourite subjects, sports, music). In groups of three to four students a diversity survey will be created using the categories the group feels will create a good profile of the student body. A copy of a sample diversity survey is included in the Appendix D. The teacher should closely monitor the appropriateness of the questions contained in the survey. It would be helpful if examples of effective surveys were available. Each group could present the survey to the class. The class as a whole could be asked to combine the best qualities and questions from all of the surveys and construct the “best of the best” diversity survey. This survey could then be administered to a volunteer sample of the student population and the class could analyse the results and compile a profile of the school community’s diversity. This information can be used to assess school needs for peer support and leadership roles.

7.   The teacher may choose to have the class discuss a clip of a movie that illustrates the concepts of diversity, discrimination, the power of a positive attitude, and team building through hard work. The movie can serve as a starting point for discussion on the above topics of diversity, discrimination, etc.

8.   The teacher will lead a class discussion outlining the effective protocol for bringing a guest speaker into their school. Students will be asked to invite a person to speak to the class on the subject of diversity. The class is encouraged to contact speakers from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. The teacher will determine if the students will do this activity individually or in groups. Students will be given a list of possible topics to be given to a guest speaker. The list may include cultural traditions, religious beliefs, holidays, and celebrations.

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

·         Formative assessment of the research project may occur by using the Rubric for Written Work to assess students’ knowledge, understanding, thinking, communication, and application skills.

·         The Collage Rubric may be used to assess students’ knowledge, understanding, communication, and application skills.

·         The Oral Communication Rubric may be used to assess communication skills in class discussions and group work.

Accommodations

·         The teacher may pair students to provide peer support

·         See students’ IEPs for specific accommodations

·         The teacher may provide additional structure for the research project

Resources

Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors. CASAA Leadership Handbook Lessons for Students Resources for Advisors. Copyright 1998. Publication Rep. Dave Conlon Glenview Park S.S 55 Mckay St. Cambridge, On N1R 4G6 fax (519) 621-5860

NASSP. Leadership Lessons Lesson to Lead by 50 Lesson Plans for Teaching Leadership Concepts and Skills. 1998. ISBN 0-88201-328-8

Stand and Deliver. 1998, video.

Community guest speakers

Appendices

Appendix D – Sample Diversity Survey

Appendix B – Oral Communication Rubric

Appendix E – Collage Rubric

 


Appendix B

Oral Communication Checklist and Rubric

Instructions

This rubric may be used to assess student’s communication in both large and small group discussions. The teacher may wish to place the student’s name and date at the top of the checklist and identify an achievement level in the grid below. Over time, a pattern of each student’s skill in oral communication will emerge. It is not necessary to assess every student every time. The teacher may predetermine whom he/she will be assessing in a given activity. No more than five students at a given time is recommended.

 

Student Name: ____________________                     Date: ______________

 

Checklist

1. Communicates information, ideas, experiences

 

 

 

 

2. Uses effective language

 

 

 

 

3. Listens actively

 

 

 

 

4. Participates

 

 

 

 

 

 

Achievement Category

Level 1
(50 - 59%)

Level 2
(60 - 69%)

Level 3
(70 - 79%)

Level 4
(80 - 100%)

Communication

Communicates information, ideas, experiences

- with limited clarity

- with some clarity

- with considerable clarity

- with a high degree of clarity and confidence

Uses effective language

- uses effective language rarely

- sometimes

- most of the time

- always

Listens actively

- rarely listens actively

- listens actively some of the time

- listens actively most of the time

- listens actively all of the time

Participates

- limited participation

- some participation

- considerable participation

- constant participation

Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.


Appendix C

Role-Play Rubric

Instructions

This rubric may be used to assess student’s knowledge, communication, and application skills. The teacher may wish to place the students’ name and date at the top and identify an achievement level on the grid below. It is not necessary to assess every student every time. The teacher may predetermine whom he/she will assess in a given role-play activity.

 

Name: _________________________                                   Date: ______________________

Topic: _____________________

 

Criteria

Level 1
(50 - 59%)

Level 2
(60 - 69%)

Level 3
(70 - 79%)

Level 4
(80 - 100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding

- student presented limited knowledge in their presentation

- some knowledge of facts/issues were presented

- considerable knowledge of issues/facts were presented

- thorough knowledge of facts/issues were presented

Communication (Oral)

- student communicated with limited effectiveness

- student communicated with some effectiveness

- student communicated with considerable effectiveness

- student communicated with a great deal of effectiveness

Communication (Visual) e.g., Costume/props

- visuals were used with limited effectiveness

- visuals were used with some effectiveness

- visuals were used with considerable effectiveness

- visuals were used in an effective manner which greatly enhanced the role

Application

- role was portrayed with limited believability

- role was portrayed in a somewhat believable manner

- role was portrayed in a believable manner

- role was portrayed in a highly believable manner

Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.


Appendix D

Diversity Survey

 

1.   I am                       o male o female

2.   I am                       o student o non-student

3.   I am                       o from 12-15 o from 16-19 o in the 20s o in the 30s o 40 or older

4.   I am                       o tall o average o short

5.   I am                       o overweight o average weight o underweight

6.   In order to see well I                       o need glasses o do not need glasses

7.   I have         o blonde hair o black hair o other o brown hair o red hair

8.   I am                       o right-handed o left-handed

9.   I like to listen to       o Rock o Country o Metal o R&B o Easy Listening o All kinds
                             
o Alternative o Rap o Jazz o Classical o Other

10.  I have a                  o dog o cat o fish o bird o no pets o all kinds

11.  Sibling ranking         o only child o middle child o youngest child o oldest child

12.  Language skills        o Speak English only o Bilingual o English as a second language

13.  I am                       o shy o outgoing o social

14.  My religious affiliation is      o Muslim o Jewish o Buddhist o Hindu o Christian
                                         
o Other

15.  I am active in clubs or organizations              o one o two o more than two o none

16.  I am living with                    o both birth parents o one step parent and one birth parent
                                         
o single mother o single father o other

17.  Brothers                 o one o two o three o more o none

18.  Step-Brothers          o one o two o three o more o none

19.  Sisters                    o one o two o three o more o none

20.  Step-Sisters                         o one o two o three o more o none

21.  I have a strong cultural identity with my ancestral culture                   o no o yes

22.  My cultural background is _________________________________________________________

23.  I keep the traditions of my ancestral culture              o yes o no

24.  Those traditions are important to me                         o yes o no

25.  We speak a language other than English in our home             o no o yes

26.  I am           o first generation Canadian o second generation Canadian
                 
o long time Canadian citizen o not a Canadian citizen

27.  My athletic ability is             o very good o average o not very good o not existent

28.  I exercise every day                        o yes o no

29.  I enjoy participating in organized sports         o yes o no


Appendix D  (Continued)

 

30.  I am physically challenged                o yes o no

31.  Our family income is                       o above average o average o below average

32.  I have a job                         o yes o no

33.  I am a         o sculptor o painter/sketch artist o potter o combination of fine art disciplines
                 
o none

34.  I learn best by         o listening o seeing o doing

35.  Getting good grades is          o easy o difficult o fairly easy o fairly hard o impossible

36.  Reading                  o I enjoy it and do it a lot o I enjoy it and do it a little o I don’t enjoy it
                             
o I find it difficult o I can’t

37.  My favourite kind of classroom experience is            o listening to lectures o working in groups
                                         
o working alone o watching ideas o participating in discussions

38.  I am creative                       o yes o no

39.  I am good in math                o yes o no

40.  I learn foreign languages easily         o yes o no

41.  I am good at taking tests                  o yes o no

42.  I intend to go on for more formal education after high school              o yes o no

43.  I am well informed about other cultures in this country                       o yes o no

44.  I complete and turn in all my homework assignments                         o yes o no

 


Appendix E

Collage/Poster/Mobile/Rubric

Instructions: This rubric may be used to assess the student’s, knowledge and understanding, thinking, communication, and application skills. The teacher may wish to assess the student, have the student do a self-assessment, or have a student peer do the assessment.

Topic: ____________________________      Student’s Name: ____________________________

Evaluator: Teacher: ______________________          Peer: _________________     Self: ___________

 

Criteria

Level 1
(50 - 59%)

Level 2
(60 - 69%)

Level 3
(70 - 79%)

Level 4
(80 - 100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding

·         Were key facts and terms included in the completed task?

- completed tasks demonstrated limited understanding of facts and terms

- completed task demonstrated some understanding of facts and terms

- completed task demonstrated considerable understanding of facts and terms

- completed task demonstrated thorough understanding of facts and terms

Thinking/Inquiry

·         Has the student thought about and completed the task in a creative manner?

- creative thinking skills have been utilized with limited effectiveness

- creative thinking skills have been utilized with moderate effectiveness

- creative thinking skills have been utilized with considerable effectiveness

- creative thinking skills have been utilized with a high degree of effectiveness

Communication

·         Were a title, symbols, visuals, and colour employed accurately and effectively?

·         Did the visual material accurately depict the theme?

- a title, symbols, visuals, and colour have been employed with limited accuracy and effectiveness

 

 

- visual material depicted the theme with limited accuracy

- a title, symbols, visuals, and colour have been employed, with some accuracy and effectiveness

 

 

- visual material depicted the theme with moderate accuracy

- a title, symbols, visuals, and colour have been employed with considerable accuracy and effectiveness

 

- visual material depicted the theme with considerable accuracy

- a title, symbols, visuals, and colour have been employed in a highly accurate and effective manner

 

- visual material depicted the theme in a thoroughly accurate manner

Application

·         Were concepts from prior work transferred to this new task?

- student has displayed limited ability in transferring concepts to a new context

- student has displayed moderate ability in transferring concepts to a new context

- student has displayed considerable ability in transferring concepts to a new context

- student has displayed a great degree of ability in transferring concepts to a new context

Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.


Appendix F

Rubric for Written Work (A framework which must be adapted for a specific task.)

This rubric may be used to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of key concepts and the relationships between concepts. It may be also used to assess thinking and inquiry, communication, and application skills. Over time a pattern for each student’s skills, and knowledge and understanding will emerge.

Name: ________________________             Date: ___________________

 

Achievement Category

Level 1
(50 -59%)

Level 2
(60 - 69%)

Level 3
(70 - 79%)

Level 4
(80 - 100%)

Knowledge/ Understanding

·         Understanding of concepts related to reflection topic

·         Understanding of relationships between concepts related to the reflection topic and others taught

- demonstrates limited understanding of concepts

 

 

- demonstrates limited understanding of relationships between concepts

- demonstrates some understanding of concepts

 

 

- demonstrates some understanding of relationships between concepts

- demonstrates considerable understanding of concepts

 

 

- demonstrates considerable understanding of relationships between concepts

- demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of concepts

 

- demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of relationships between concepts

Thinking/Inquiry

·         Uses critical and creative thinking skills to reflect

·         Uses inquiry skills to reflect

- uses critical and creative thinking skills with limited effectiveness

 

- applies few of the skills involved in an inquiry process

- uses critical and creative thinking skills with moderate effectiveness

- applies some of the skills involved in the inquiry process

- uses critical and creative thinking skills with considerable effectiveness

- applies most of the skills involved in the inquiry process

- uses critical and creative thinking skills with a high degree of effectiveness

- applies all or most all of the skills involved in the inquiry process

Communication

·         Communication of ideas and experiences

- communicates information, ideas, and experiences with limited clarity

- communicates information, ideas, and experiences with some clarity

- communicates information, ideas, and experiences with considerable clarity

- communicates information, ideas, and experiences with a high degrees of clarity and confidence

Application

·         Transfers ideas to new contexts

- transfers ideas and skills to new contexts with limited effectiveness

- transfers ideas and skills to new contexts with moderate effectiveness

- transfers ideas and skills to new contexts with considerable effectiveness

- transfers ideas and skills to new contexts with a high degree of effectiveness

Note: A student whose achievement is below level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.

 

 

 

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