Ready, set, GO!

We can now check off Christmas party on our activity list! Woohoo!!!!
It went splendidly. The food drive was a success. Did you see the boxes filled to the brim? The talent show proved to be a stepping stone to Broadway for so many of the entrants! And the announcing was second to none. (Even without the helium!). And the white elephant gift exchange left at least one child in tears (that's the sign of a successful white elephant;))! And the snowflakes!!!!! Superb atmosphere! I almost thought I was in a winter wonderland (one filled with chaos and spills.). Overall, WELL DONE!
Thank you so much. Everyone was always asking for duties and pitching in wherever they could. Great, great sign of a leader. I hope you felt this activity ran so much smoother than Halloween. I truly did! You all really stepped up! Thank you!

So now YOU have your activity assignments! For the next three weeks I want you to brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm!
The power and control is in your hands. YOU get to shape this activity. Just keep in mind the "why" of the activity, whom it is geared for, what is available, etc, etc.
But also during your brainstorming, don't limit yourself, THINK BIG! Think HUGE!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Here are the activity assignments:

Valentine's Exchange- Morgan and Katie

Scholar Activity- Logan

Shakespeare fundraiser - Morgan and Katie

Field Day- Adam

Scholar Retreat- Trey, Eric, Jared

-Also, speech writers, be ready with your complete speeches, and "fancy" them up!

-And don't forget to bring in a leadership quote or experience!

-And start working on your leadership presentations. Eric, you're up the second week we get back from break.

Have a fantastic break! We'll see you next year.

Sent from my iPhone

Conclusions and Deconstruction of a Leader

Good morning, Leaders!

I don't think we thank you enough for doing such a great job!  I really appreciate your willingness to step up and lead activities, share ideas, announce the activities during lunch, give book reports, lead the news discussions, provide feedback, etc, etc....  You have been an incredible group to work with.  I have especially noticed a change in how our class communicates and relates to each other.  I LOVE  it!  GREAT JOB!!  We are all growing as leaders. THANK YOU!

Last Thursday, during third hour, Logan and Morgan handed in a rough draft of their speeches.  We were able to talk through issues and hopefully build stronger arguments.  We then worked on outlining the steps of writing a conclusion.

Teacher Genne gave us some great info.  Here is what I jotted down:

V. Re-state/re-tell thesis statement (optional)

    -summarize points

    -KNOW, FEEL, DO - challenge the audience, exhort them, ask a thought provoking question, repeat your most significant point and why

    -Final Clincher -

        -dramatic ending

        -return to beginning

        -answer first question you  asked in the intro

        -  quote

        - command

*DON'T LET THE AUDIENCE FORGET YOUR SPEECH!!

So for homework: write the conclusion to your speech!

In fourth hour, Jared gave a great interpretation of the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.  He used great examples in his presentation and pulled out three great and useful lessons for us all.  Remember, don't use criticism!  (I'm going to work on that!)

Jared's presentation draws to close our book report portion of our class.  I hope you each took some valuable lessons and information from your own book presentations and each other's.

Next, we are going to deconstruct a leader.  I gave each of you a set of questions to use in this process.  Pick one of your favorite leaders, or one of your least favorites.  Make sure you address all the questions on the handout.   I guarantee it will be fascinating to discover what really makes your leader tick.  Then be ready to give a 10-15 minute presentation on your findings to the class.  I really can't wait!!

Here is what the presentation schedule looks like:

Jan 14 - Eric (sorry, Eric!  This is what happens when you miss class. : ))

Jan 21 - Logan Miller - John Quincy Adams

Jan 28 - Katie Dial

February 4 - Adam Blanchard

February 11 - Morgan Miller

February 18 - Trey Miller

February 25 - Jared Peterson

And finally, the Christmas party is THIS WEEK!!!  I really hope that you have enjoyed having the POWER and CONTROL in our FILA activities.  It is one of the upsides to being a leader.   I hope these REAL -LIFE "simulations" have prepared you to head up your own activity next semester. 

So FINISH up your to-do lists for your committees!  Send out those reminder emails!  And be ready to spread some enthusiasm on Thursday!

In class, we will be debriefing this amazing event, CHOOSING your  activity to lead next semester, and brainstorming! Hopefully, we also get a chance to send you off to Christmas break with some bad puns!

Eric, we missed you!!!!