G of AI / Curriculum / Week 20

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.

G of AI · Gillis Institute of AI · Silverback
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