Week 20 — Reflection, Transition, Legacy
Unit 4: Lead in Community • Domain IV
Essential Question: What did I become, and what's next?
Key Performance: Final Portfolio Defense (5 min + 3 min Q&A) + Leadership Letter to next year's class.
Day 1 — Impact Memo
Objective: SWBAT write a 1-page impact memo (what changed, by how much, for whom).
Do-Now (5): "Numbers. Stories. Quotes. What do we have?" • Circle (5): Single word. • Mini-Lesson (10): Impact memo anatomy — outcomes vs outputs. • Practice (25): Teams draft memo; pair-edit. • Close (5): Submit + send to partner with thank-you.
Day 2 — Personal Reflection: 20 Weeks
Objective: SWBAT compare Week-1 and Week-20 selves with evidence.
Do-Now (5): Re-read Week-1 self-assessment + goal. Honest reaction. • Circle (5): Roses/thorns. • Mini-Lesson (10): Reflection prompt set — competencies, moments, costs, surprises, what's next. • Practice (25): Silent drafting of final reflection (1–2 pages). • Close (5): Save to portfolio.
Day 3 — Leadership Letter
Objective: SWBAT write a letter to next year's Leadership students.
Do-Now (5): "If you could send Week-1 you one sentence, what would it be?" • Circle (5): Check-in. • Mini-Lesson (10): Mentor texts from past students (Year 2+) or teacher's own letter. • Practice (25): Draft Leadership Letter (500–800 words). • Close (5): Submit to portfolio + class archive.
Day 4 — Portfolio Defense (Round 1)
Objective: SWBAT present 5-min portfolio defense + answer 3 min Q&A.
Do-Now (5): Final prep. • Circle (5): Brave check-in. • Practice (40): Half the class defends; panel = teacher + 1 peer + 1 outside adult (admin, alum, partner). Rubric-scored. • Close (5): Reflection on the experience.
Day 5 — Portfolio Defense Round 2 + Closing Ceremony
Do-Now (5): Final prep. • Practice (25): Second half defends. • Closing Ceremony (20): Full class circle. Each student reads one line from their Leadership Letter. Teacher names final Leader of the Week + presents Leadership Cords / certificates (district award if available). Each student receives a printed copy of one classmate's shout-out collection. • Close (5): Final shout-outs. End with the original Class Compact read aloud by 4 students.
Assessment
- Final RLP Self-Rating + teacher rating (compare to Week-1 baseline).
- Portfolio Defense Rubric (out of 20): clarity, evidence of growth, ownership of voice, response to Q&A, connection to next chapter.
- Leadership Letter (4-pt rubric: honesty, usefulness to a stranger, voice, hope).
Differentiation
ML/EL — defense may include a bilingual segment. Foundational — defense may use slides + scripted intro. Stretch — defense may be open to invited family/community.
Sub Plan
Do not run this week with a sub. If teacher absent, postpone defenses.
Family Engagement
Family invited to all Day 4 + Day 5 defenses. Send invites Week 19.
What to Save for Next Year
- Class Compact, Inclusion Audit data, Leader of the Week board archive
- Best 5 Leadership Letters (with student permission) for next year's mentor texts
- Capstone artifacts (with student + partner permission) for the showcase wall
- Photos of every closing circle (start a 5-year wall)
Final Teacher Note
You just spent 20 weeks helping adolescents practice being the people they want
to be. Some of them will write you a letter in 10 years. The rest will quietly
become the kind of leaders their workplaces, families, and communities need.
You won't always know. Trust the work. See you next semester.