Bentley High School
LINKS/Peer to Peer Course Syllabus
2016/2017
Mark Funk
Penny Lantz
Bentley High School: 810-591-5811
Course Description: This course is an elective accredited class that provides students an opportunity to support and model academic and social skills to a peer with special needs. The Peer 2 Peer (P2P) student is trained as a peer mentor who will accompany a student to one of his/her general or special education classes. This course focuses on assisting peers with socialization, independence, age appropriate behavior, and life skills. There is a focus on leadership skills, understanding and adapting to individual differences in the school setting, written and verbal communication skills, modeling social experiences, and advocating for others. Training requires a commitment of time outside of the regularly scheduled school day (ie: one day at the end of the summer). In addition, it includes some lunch hours and after school activities. The P2P mentor will attend case conferences to discuss the progress of their student, and contribute ideas on how to more effectively help the student progress toward his/her goals. The curriculum includes and evaluations are based on; journaling, classroom discussions and lectures, participation through autism internet modules, pre/post assessments, attendance, class participation with peer, reviewing and reflecting on current issues and a final exam/project.
P2P is a course that enables the student to make a difference in another person’s life. In addition to the academic content of the course, there is ample time to apply what you are learning as you become involved in the life of another student. The goal is to spread awareness of students with disabilities, not only to students in the P2P course, but the Bentley community as a whole.
PREREQUISITE: Must complete an application, provide references and receive approval of program staff.
Course Objectives: Over the course of the school year, Peer to Peer Students will:
· Increase their knowledge about a variety of disabilities through direct instruction.
· Gain an understanding of people with disabilities through supporting them and building relationships.
· Develop and increase problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
· Gain a greater acceptance for those who are different.
Course Topics, Key Concepts, and Units of Study:
· About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
· Peer Mediated Instruction
· Language and Communication
· Sensory Differences
· Confidentiality
· Proactive Strategies
· Social Considerations
In addition, LINK students will learn:
· Leadership skills – The ability to formulate a plan of action, influence other students with their ideas, and lead others.
• Effective communication skills (both written and verbal) – communication with teachers, other students and special needs students.
• Problem solving techniques – you will be faced with circumstances that require imagination, perseverance, and patience.
• Special Education disabilities in addition to ASD
• How to understand and adapt to individual differences – tolerance and patience
• Accepting responsibility - being responsible is a primary character trait for LINKS
• Teaching skills and modeling techniques – this is how you will impact the student you are working with.
• Citizenship responsibilities – recognizing your role in your society and the responsibilities you have.
• Reflective listening – learning how to let a person know you are listening.
• Journaling and reflection – you will be writing a daily journal regarding your LINK experience
• Group process skills – working in a group to solve a problem.
• How to identify and deal with stereotyping and discrimination – this is something special needs students face every day.
• How to advocate for others (and self) – learning how and when to speak up.
Materials Needed: Pen/pencil, paper, notebook, a GREAT/POSITIVE ATTITUDE!
Assignment Expectations: All assignments are to be original to the student, complete, and in the form expected by the teacher. Assignments are expected to reflect the best possible effort by the student.
Grading: Students will receive grades in the following four areas during each marking period.
Grading Area: / % / DescriptionContent Reflections and Journaling / 25% / Students will complete the requirements for each assignment. Peers write journal entries on assigned topics and/or their observations of the students whom they are working with.
Pre/Post Test / 10% / Students answer multiple choice questions based off of the content from the semester.
Interaction, Communication,
Modeling, and Initiative / 50% / · Interact and communicate with students and relevant adults
· Model appropriate learning strategies and social behavior
· Attend case conferences and general meetings
· Maintain appropriate attendance
Final Project / 15% / Project
Grading Scale:
A 100-94 C+ 79-77 D- 62-60
A- 93-90 C 76-73 E 59-0
B+ 89-87 C- 72-70
B 86-83 D+ 69-67
B- 82-80 D 66-63
Final Exam: Culminating Project:
Peer-to-Peer students will be expected to complete a project that is related to and reflects the Peer’s experience and what s/he has learned.
Specific instructions and parameters will be given at least 3 weeks before the end of the semester.
Project must focus on one or more of the following:
1. What Peer has learned about him/herself as an individual?
2. How Peer grew as an individual because of the P2P experience?
3. What Peer has learned about the student(s) with whom s/he worked?
4. What Peer has learned about autism throughout the course?
A variety of mediums are suggested, with great explanation given 3 weeks before the final is due.
· Poster, Power Point Presentation
· Photography, Sculpture, Scrapbook, Poetry, Painting/Sketches with 1 page report.
Conduct: A LINK is expected to conduct themselves in accordance with all school rules. A LINK is privileged to sensitive and personal information regarding the student(s) they work with. LINKS are strictly forbidden to share any personal information regarding the student(s) they work with outside of school or with any other student not involved with said student. Sharing personal or sensitive information may result in removal from the LINKS program; this includes social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, but are not limited to those.
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