Course Description: The focus of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective communication, leadership, and service to others in the school and community.
It will provide the student with a process for effective learning, which the learner can use throughout her/his life. The student will identify and effectively use personal management skills and demonstrate an understanding of effective learning strategies and barriers to effective learning that will help him/her to be successful in leadership and peer support roles.
Throughout this course students will develop attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and act to promote social responsibility, solidarity, and the common good. Students will also develop skills in team-building/climate building; organization; leadership; communication; academic support; personal development and learning to work with differing personalities and learning styles. This course offers the student the opportunity to provide assistance to others and to address the needs of the community by utilizing their talents and abilities and applying them to roles such as tutoring, mentoring,
Link Crew involvement, and other leadership positions within the greater community.
The course is designed so that students have numerous opportunities to adopt the life roles of effective communicator, reflective and creative thinker, self-directed responsible life-long learner, collaborative contributor, caring family member, and responsible citizen.
Course Curriculum: This course will be divided into seven conceptually organized units, and not taught in any particular order. Within each unity, there are a number of lessons that focus on one particular concept, while working on skill and knowledge development.
Students will be exposed to theory and practical applications that will use the 5-Question model of facilitating learning. Students will be required to prepare both written and oral presentations, both individually and in group settings. The academic standards expected in this course follow the overall expectations set out by the ministry document The Ontario Curriculum for Grades 11 and 12: Guidance
and Career Education.
Unit 1: Team Building – Climate Building
Unit 2: Organization
Unit 3: Leadership
Unit 4: Communication
Unit 5: Academic Follow-ups
Unit 6: Personal Development
Unit 7: Personality Profiling & Learning Styles
Students will be required to complete the culminating practical task. The culminating task will require participation in the school community, in either a leadership or peer support role. This CPT comprises
30% of the final mark.

Course Categories and Evaluation:
Weighting According to Achievement Chart Categories
Final Culminating Unit
Course Work
Thinking and Inquiry: tests* presentations group work projects essays conferencing
Communication: test answers* formal writing brainstorming projects essay oral presentations teacher observation interview questions
25 %
% Course Weighting
Application: questions tests* portfolio diary entries formal writing creative presentation reflection/self evaluation essay debates oral presentations media production
25 % culminating activity group discussions journal response written commentary creative presentation conferencing
Knowledge &
Understanding: tests* probing questions quizzes presentations debates checklists questions
25 % culminating activity visual aids projects portfolios written commentaries handouts questions handouts
30%
70%
25 % culminating activity homework check diary entries brainstorming interview
* Tests may involve a wide range of questions and tasks and is only one valid form of evaluation in each category.
Progressive Weighting: A student’s learning will improve as he/she is given opportunities to continually practice and master the desired expectations over the duration of a course. As a student begins to demonstrate his/her understanding of the expectations during the semester, the value of each assignment will also increase; therefore, the student’s ability to reach the desired expectation will be rewarded.
Submission of Assignments:
Timelines for submission of assignments are established to encourage students to manage their time and to take responsibility for their learning. Timelines are also established to allow teachers to effectively deliver curriculum and manage the evaluation of assignments. It is important, therefore, that students work towards completing all assignments on time.
Should a student be unable to meet a deadline s/he must speak to the teacher at least one week before the due date. All assignment due dates will be announced well in advance of the intended date of collection; it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is completed on time. If a student’s work is not submitted by the due date, a total mark deduction will not exceed 10% of the student’s grade for the assignment. Students may submit late work up to, but not including, the day on which the first graded assignment is returned to even ONE student in the class or course section.

Class Expectations:

Display respect for your teacher and peers at all times. (This includes any work that you do for the course outside of the classroom.)
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Attendance is mandatory. Students wishing to succeed in this course must be in class.
Documented proof will be required for each absence!
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Arrive to class on time and in complete uniform (refer to St. Augustine dress code in your student handbook)
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Homework assignments must be completed. A student can expect a short homework quiz any day of the week.
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Notebooks may be checked during the semester.
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Never be apprehensive about sharing your opinion or answering a question, after you have
raised your hand.
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Always bring the necessary materials to class (writing utensil, course texts, portfolio, etc.)
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Leave your coat, hat, P.E.D., etc. in your locker.
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Go to the washroom before class. Washroom use is only for emergencies.
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It is the responsibility of the student to make up missed tests, quizzes, or homework assignments.
It is also important not to be absent on days you have presentations.
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If you have any questions, concerns, or need help of any kind, please do not hesitate to come and see me.
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Finally… have a good semester.
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Parent Signature
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Student Signature