Welcome to the 2015 -2016 School Year

8/12/2015

The Green River Reservoir, where I paddled and camped this summer. Image source: Vermont State Parks.

I hope you have had a wonderful and adventurous summer! I hiked Mount Philo, paddled and camped in the Green River Reservoir, and spent a week at the beach in Maine. These activities were adventures for sure, but I also participated on other adventures. I took a class on writing digital textbooks and produced two chapters of a Vermont History eTextbook that I will be sharing with you soon. I also attended meetings to design student personal learning plans (PLPs) and to design the next steps in the FWSU Action Plan. Our action plan is what guides our learning at GEMS and the other FWSU schools. Its principles shape our experiences as teachers and learners - and we are all teachers and learners!

One aspect of the Action Plan is leadership. Who are our leaders and what do leaders do? Are leaders a small group of chosen people? or can anyone step up and be a leader? This was a real discussion in our meeting this summer. Here are my takeaways:

Leaders:

Challenge themselves and others
Ask questions and push the limits
Respond to challenge with increased effort (growth mindset)
Take charge of their own learning and help others learn
Contribute ideas and actions to create a positive impact
Set goals and take steps to meet them

Anyone can be a leader, not just the select few. Not just adults, not just athletes, not just elected officials. Anyone!

Will you be a leader this year? I know you will have opportunities and be able to make choices. How will you respond to challenges? Will you take charge of your learning? What are your thoughts and ideas on this concept of leadership? Feel free to comment here. I look forward to the discussion. I am also looking forward to an awesome year and many learning adventures!

Sincerely,
Mr. Hadd
8th Grade Social Studies

56 Comments

David

8/30/2015 11:22:46 pm

It was very interesting and I agree about needing all that stuff to be a leader.

Landon Baker

8/31/2015 01:09:33 am

I never heard of mount Philo and I also went to the beach in Maine.

Emily Bachand

8/31/2015 01:26:28 am

I will probably not be a leader. Simply because I don't feel like I have the respect of my pears. I will take charge of my learning and I do have opinions on leadership. Like sometimes leaders aren't really respected, but people let them lead because they are know that they wouldn't stand a chance.

Chase

8/31/2015 05:55:34 am

I feel that you could step up and be president if you wanted to! :)

Nick

8/31/2015 01:31:42 am

It sounds like you had a fun this summer. I think that everyone has good, different leadership qualities that can applied at different times in classes. I think good leadership qualities are someone who: listens to each other, uses everyone ideas, is inviting to speak up, leads by example.

Jeremiah

8/31/2015 03:55:21 am

I might be a leader but it would be 50-50 depending on the situation.

Ethan

8/31/2015 04:01:21 am

I wish I had a good summer like that

Chase ham

8/31/2015 05:54:38 am

I totally agree with you. Leaders should take the lead and be responsible.

Mafu

8/31/2015 06:30:46 am

Leaders are the people who step up to a challenge and/or put other people under their wing.

Kyle Courtois link

8/31/2015 06:43:05 am

I do agree with this especially the statement, Challenge themselves and others, because if they didn't the leader and the group wouldn't move forward.

Matty

8/31/2015 07:14:52 am

We shall fight for those who cannot. We shall lead and be leaders for those who can't

Faith pecor link

8/31/2015 07:49:54 am

yes, I will be a leader this year. I am not a follower, I do not follow what other people are doing I take charge. I will do what I think is right and that will impact my learning positively. I will approach challenges with what I can give but if I deep trying and don't understand I will eventually ask for help. I think a leader should be confident in his/ her thought and to own their actions. A leader is someone that other people can look up to but also be at the same time.

Marcus

9/3/2015 06:06:57 am

You didn't capitalize "Yes".

Emma Rainville

8/31/2015 10:02:58 am

I agree with the whole list of leadership qualities. But I would have to say that a leader should be able to respect those who are following you and be able to work with anyone! But everyone knows this. Just a reminder, respect those around you and be open to anyone's contributions.

Julie

8/31/2015 10:29:57 am

Sounds like a fun summer! I agree with the list you have made of some things that qualify people as leaders, but I think that people are not always recognized as leaders because they follow the list. Some things about leadership cannot exactly be put into words, but it is just the way that people naturally follow leaders sometimes this leads to copying things they do, their habits (good or bad). There are always leaders around us, wether we can recognize it or not is the question. Sometimes potential leaders are not accepted but I don't see that as their fault, it is society's fault for not being accepting... I think another factor of being a leader is being able to recognize it in other people and seeing their potential.

Alex Haag

8/31/2015 11:09:01 am

I enjoy being a leader and the responsibility that comes with it. I think that to be a good leader you need to listen to others, to understand differences which enable us to have various strengths and weaknesses and gives all of us something to contribute, and to keep the team from fighting and breaking apart. Also, a leader has to be a hard worker, fast thinker, role model, and overall a good person. But the best leaders are nothing without a team that can coherently work together, so not only does a leader have to exhibit qualities like respect and hard work, but the team has to model these qualities as well.

Julia gergorek

9/1/2015 12:22:15 am

I thing that a leade is a person that help you when you know it.
A leade is a person that have people look up at them.

Scott Robert

9/1/2015 12:31:00 am

Not everyone can be a leader

Dylan liberty

9/1/2015 12:49:28 am

This year I think like any other year I'll most likely not be a leader because I'm one that likes to do things on my own with out telling a group member simple until I see I'm correct then I'll tell my group and because simple that I'm that kinda person that follows people in my learning but out side of school I am more of a leader.

Morgan D.

9/1/2015 01:14:50 am

I believe I could be a leader if I tried. Also my summer wasn't as interesting as yours Mr. Hadd all I did was hang out with my best friend is that came up from Massachusetts .

Jordyn Carroll

9/1/2015 05:40:55 am

I think that anyone can be a leader if they choose to be. It only takes a little courage and bravery.

Taylor Yates

9/1/2015 05:52:21 am

I think you had a very fun summer I went to NJ and to the Dominican Republic! I believe I or anyone else can be a leader if they actually tried to be

Lauren

9/1/2015 08:33:25 am

I agree with you on what it takes to be a leader. Honestly, I think that I would be a leader too, but it depends on what we're doing in class because I become more of a leader when I understand something really well.

Morgan B

9/1/2015 09:37:09 am

yes I would be leader it just depends on what the situation is.

Matt B

9/1/2015 10:46:10 am

I hope you enjoyed your summer. I did barely anything, but a couple weeks ago I went to New Jersey with my cousin, her husband, her mom, and her mom's niece. I think that everything put on the leadership list is correct and sums up what a good leader is. It's hard to come by a leader like that, I'm not sure that anyone in our grade has ever been as good of a leader as that, but I hope I can see people trying to be the best leader they can be. One other thing, I think all people at Georgia (staff and students) are too concerned about leadership. Not everyone can be a leader, there have to be followers too. And since the teachers focus on our leadership abilities, they ignore that being a follower isn't a BAD thing. I'm not speaking directly to Mr. Hadd because I've had teachers in the past who are the same way. Following can be a good thing as long as you are participating in the group.

Taylor

9/1/2015 12:13:51 pm

I will try to be a leader this year I am more of a follower but this year I think I can lead more often. I also think I will react good to challenges I am going to try more because with challenges last year I saw it and if it looked hard I mentally gave up so I was not really good at them and when I had s good mind set they turned out way better.

Brennan calacci

9/2/2015 12:22:58 am

I could be a leader. People might doubt me, but rise above all hate. Sure I may fail but I can learn from my failure and be a better leader and friend.

Caden

9/2/2015 12:23:55 am

i will try to be a leader depending on what situation I am in.

Sam

9/2/2015 03:16:49 am

I think that I could become a leader an others can too. I feel like that my peers respect me and my opinion. I agree with Mr. Had because anybody can become a leader if they put their mind to it.

Aidan Williams

9/2/2015 05:14:49 am

i had a great summer, thank you. I agree about leadership but I just want to add that a person has leadership doesn't just take up the position of being a leader but also gives other people a chance to prove themselves and help them out.

Danny

9/2/2015 05:47:30 am

I could be a leader of a worked at it

Dalton

9/2/2015 07:08:05 am

i agree. Sometimes people see you as just a kid and not a leader but I agree that everyone is leader and that everyone can change to become a leader.

Delaney

9/2/2015 08:43:34 am

Mark Yamell said "A leader is someone who demonstrates what is possible." I think that leadership comes with great responsibility. There are different types of leaders such as a leader of a family, captains on a team, your boss. A leader in other words is a role model. Everyday role models are teachers, parents or grandparents, aunt or uncle etc. A leader is someone who rises up to challenges and encourages others to strive to do the same. Being a leader does not mean that you have to be respected by all viewers. If you take a look at any world leader you will find that there is something or someone try to stop them from what they are accomplish. For example Nelson Mandela, he served 27 years in prison because he attempted to overthrow the state. In all a good leader should have integrity, be ethical, and humble.

Megan Buckley

9/2/2015 08:45:00 am

It sounds as if you had a very wonderful and adventurous Summer! I agree with all the traits you listed for a successful leader. You don't have to be elected to be a leader. The person you least expected could just rise above all expectations and enable a more positive experience for any case, whether it's a team sport, in class, on an assignment, etc. A leader must enhance the qualities of hard work, responsibility, and respect as well as the followers. Leaders are all around and by instinct, we tend to follow without thought. Whether you follow or lead, you must decide, 'will you be a leader?' The thing is, most leaders tend to lead when no one is looking. Everyone has the potential to be a leader. Are you a leader?

Mattia

9/2/2015 09:25:29 am

i think I could be a leader depending on the situation and what's happening.

Stacey

9/3/2015 01:07:54 am

To be honest I don't really like being a leader, I would rather be one of the people that helps the leader.

Marshall

9/3/2015 01:15:49 am

Sometimes I can be a leader but not all of the time if it's not the right time

Alex

9/3/2015 01:21:07 am

Leadership is a great attribute for people our age to have. I see a lot of leaders around the school. People lead in ways they don't even know. Leading can also be negative or positive. I am hoping that entering my eighth grade year I make my mark at the school by being a leader,and taking challenges head on, and standing up for what I believe in.

Myah

9/3/2015 01:24:51 am

I also went paddling over the summer. We went paddling at Burtons Island and camped there for a few nights. I think they're are many kids in this grade that would be great leaders.

Katie

9/3/2015 01:25:31 am

I will be a leader if I'm in a situation where I understand the most.

Lindsey tomasovich.

9/3/2015 01:27:47 am

I think leadership is powerful. Someone should always be a leader. Our teachers are our leaders.

Katie

9/3/2015 01:28:47 am

I believe if I am in a situation where I understand the material and can help out I would be able to show great leadership. Your summer seemed like fun!

Max Curtis

9/3/2015 01:32:42 am

I agree that a leader can be anyone. But you have to develope the skills. You need to be able to take charge and organize any situation. You have to be brave to. It can sometimes take guts to stand out in the crowd. You also have to be calm and controlling. If your out of control then everybody else will be too. But anybody can still be a leader

Will Raboim

9/3/2015 01:35:44 am

I totally agree with your claims about leadership. I feel that anyone can be a leader if they step up to the challenge.

Brody Reed

9/3/2015 01:39:27 am

All of this are well put leader quality and if you want to lead you need them. I also think leader should be respected, but he should also respect the ones who respect him.

Kameron D

9/3/2015 02:33:33 am

I like to be an enthusiastic leader. I have a good attitude around other people. I am also very good at taking on challenges.

Tatianna

9/3/2015 03:06:26 am

I think leadership is very important in today's world. I think that to be a leader you have to be able to take charge of you learning and your life. I agree with everything you said about leadership.

Marcus

9/3/2015 06:03:22 am

Leadership is a quality that can be taught but for some it comes naturally. I've always thought of myself to be a leader I don't like to follow its just not how I roll (attempts to say that without sounding to self centered). I'll try to be a leader whenever I can this year given any scenario I believe I can. Looking forward to a great year!:)

Marcus:)

9/3/2015 06:08:19 am

Also this summer the highlight was going to North Carolina.

Trey link

9/3/2015 02:10:36 pm

I thought it was very interesting and that I agree you need to have/do all of the things that you said to be a successful leader.

Sydnie Dougherty

9/3/2015 02:44:28 pm

I think anyone can be a leader. I looked up the definition of a leader it is the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. A part of that says you don't have to lead a big group you could lead just one person or a county.

Christina Miller

9/3/2015 03:36:26 pm

I think that many different traits make up a leader, and that just like everything else they can come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the smallest voice can make the biggest leader. I think this because we as a society are always good at accepting people for who they are and I think that that's why some leaders hide because they are afraid that they will be shut down because they are different and because they are themselves. I think that these leaders lead the most when nobody is watching or listening, because they are afraid.

Grace Dattilio

9/3/2015 04:40:39 pm

I believe all of your statements about leadership are correct. Leaders are not nessisarily people with a high title or extreme ability, leaders are found in everyday life whether it's on our eighth grade soccer teams, in the classroom, or even at home. I believe being a leader means you are someone people around you want to look up to, someone worthy of the high responsibility that comes with being a role modelPersonally, I have always found myself as being a leader from a young age.

Jacob W

9/3/2015 06:52:38 pm

I think leadership is important and that you described it well.Leaders can take control of a situation and turn that situation into something better.

Evan

9/3/2015 07:28:59 pm

leadership is one of the things to be successful in life. I'll try to be a leader.

Hunter

9/4/2015 03:20:51 am

I think that I could be a leader if I tried.

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Welcome to the 2015 -2016 School Year

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8th Grade Social Studies

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Welcome to the 2015 -2016 School Year

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8th Grade Social Studies﻿

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8th Grade Social Studies