Things to Know About AVID...
AVID targets students in the academic middle - B, C, and even D students - who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.
Not only are students enrolled in their school's toughest classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement®, but also in the AVID elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students.
AVID is an in-school academic support program for students in grades 6-12 that prepares them for college eligibility and success. The goal of AVID is to provide support for students to succeed in college preparatory courses and to be eligible to attend 4-year colleges and universities after graduating from high school. AVID levels the playing field for minority, low-income, and students in the middle who may be the first in their families to attend college.
AVID students will have an AVID elective class period each day. In this class, teachers and tutors trained in AVID methodologies will offer instruction in the following:
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.
Not only are students enrolled in their school's toughest classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement®, but also in the AVID elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students.
AVID is an in-school academic support program for students in grades 6-12 that prepares them for college eligibility and success. The goal of AVID is to provide support for students to succeed in college preparatory courses and to be eligible to attend 4-year colleges and universities after graduating from high school. AVID levels the playing field for minority, low-income, and students in the middle who may be the first in their families to attend college.
AVID students will have an AVID elective class period each day. In this class, teachers and tutors trained in AVID methodologies will offer instruction in the following:
- Reading comprehension and writing skills
- Note-taking
- Study skills
- Test-taking strategies
- Time management
- Research skills
- College entrance preparation/placement exam preparation
- Career awareness and other life choices
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.
AVID Weekly Assignments
Binder Checks
Binder Checks are the organizational cornerstone to every AVID classroom. These will take place once a week, usually on Fridays. This is also a chance to see how students are coming along with C-Notes, Learning Logs, and check that students are talking with parents/guardians about their assignments.
BINDER CHECK CONTENTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
*Filled out Assignment Notebook (or sheet) signed by parent
*Pencil pouch with writing utensils
*Folders for each subject
*Blank, lined paper
*C-Notes
*Learning Logs
*Weekly grade report signed by parent
Tutorials
Tutorials take place twice a week. Trained tutors come into the classroom and help students with questions they have about any assignment. Tutorials are when we help students learn how to develop and answer higher level thinking questions. Just as Binder Checks are the organizational cornerstone of AVID, Tutorials are the inquiry cornerstone of AVID.
TUTORIAL PROCEDURE:
*The night before tutorials, each student should develop two questions they have for classes they may be struggling in.
*Students will be divided into groups upon entry into the classroom.
*Tutors and teachers alike will lead students through collaborative group discussions to determine the answers to their questions.
NOTE: Collaborative discussions and the inquiry process are the keys to tutorials, not necessarily coming up with the exact answers. There will be times students might leave tutorials with their questions unanswered.
Tips for Success
*Keep your binder ORGANIZED! Use tabs and folders to clearly organize papers, notes, etc. for each class.
*Students are expected to take 2-10 C-NOTES each week depending on grade level and time of year. This can come from a teacher's lecture, class notes, a movie shown in class, a homework assignment, a vocabulary review, or a study guide. This can also come from ANY class (Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, AVID, Art, Drama, Music, Science Technology, Physical Education, Health, or even a Language class like Spanish or French).
*Students are expected to take at least 1 LEARNING LOG each week! Write your learning logs using COMPLETE sentences!! Learning log points are determine by individual teachers.
*Use your ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK. Complete this daily at the beginning of every class with classwork AND homework. It should be signed EVERY DAY by a parent or guardian to ensure assignments are complete and turned in on time!
*Complete a WEEKLY GRADE CHECK and have it signed by a parent/guardian and all of your teachers!
*Take advantage of STUDYING before or after school with your teachers. See a teacher today to set up a time that works for both of you!.
Additional AVID Resources
Binder Checks are the organizational cornerstone to every AVID classroom. These will take place once a week, usually on Fridays. This is also a chance to see how students are coming along with C-Notes, Learning Logs, and check that students are talking with parents/guardians about their assignments.
BINDER CHECK CONTENTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
*Filled out Assignment Notebook (or sheet) signed by parent
*Pencil pouch with writing utensils
*Folders for each subject
*Blank, lined paper
*C-Notes
*Learning Logs
*Weekly grade report signed by parent
Tutorials
Tutorials take place twice a week. Trained tutors come into the classroom and help students with questions they have about any assignment. Tutorials are when we help students learn how to develop and answer higher level thinking questions. Just as Binder Checks are the organizational cornerstone of AVID, Tutorials are the inquiry cornerstone of AVID.
TUTORIAL PROCEDURE:
*The night before tutorials, each student should develop two questions they have for classes they may be struggling in.
*Students will be divided into groups upon entry into the classroom.
*Tutors and teachers alike will lead students through collaborative group discussions to determine the answers to their questions.
NOTE: Collaborative discussions and the inquiry process are the keys to tutorials, not necessarily coming up with the exact answers. There will be times students might leave tutorials with their questions unanswered.
Tips for Success
*Keep your binder ORGANIZED! Use tabs and folders to clearly organize papers, notes, etc. for each class.
*Students are expected to take 2-10 C-NOTES each week depending on grade level and time of year. This can come from a teacher's lecture, class notes, a movie shown in class, a homework assignment, a vocabulary review, or a study guide. This can also come from ANY class (Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, Writing, AVID, Art, Drama, Music, Science Technology, Physical Education, Health, or even a Language class like Spanish or French).
*Students are expected to take at least 1 LEARNING LOG each week! Write your learning logs using COMPLETE sentences!! Learning log points are determine by individual teachers.
*Use your ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOK. Complete this daily at the beginning of every class with classwork AND homework. It should be signed EVERY DAY by a parent or guardian to ensure assignments are complete and turned in on time!
*Complete a WEEKLY GRADE CHECK and have it signed by a parent/guardian and all of your teachers!
*Take advantage of STUDYING before or after school with your teachers. See a teacher today to set up a time that works for both of you!.
Additional AVID Resources