6/7 AVID
2017-2018
Course Descriptions:
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program that prepares students for four-year college eligibility by taking those in the “academic middle” and places them in advanced and honors courses. The students learn organizational and higher-order thinking skills through WICOR strategies that are based on rigorous standards. WICOR stands for Writing – Inquiry – Collaboration – Organization – Reading. The student’s academic confidence and self-image improves and they become successful leaders and role models for other students. AVID levels the playing field for minority, rural, low-income and other students without a college-going transition in their families.
Course Activities:
· AVID Binder: Students will create and maintain an AVID binder for use during the entire school year. It should include the following supplies
o 6 dividers with tabs to separate each class
o zipper pouch to store supplies (3-hole punched)
o pencils-at least 2 at all times
o pens – blue and black
o erasers
o highlighters (preferably more than one color)
o handheld pencil sharpener with lid
· Cornell Notes: Students will learn to set up, take, review and use the Cornell Note-Taking System. Cornell Notes are designed to make studying easier.
· Critical Thinking Activities: Students will participate in Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, collaborative projects and other academically focused class work.
· Tutorial: Students will work in collaborative groups under the guidance of either college tutors or the AVID teacher. The purpose of tutorial is to help guide the students in the solving of problems they are facing with concepts in their regularly scheduled academic classes.
· Organization and Time Management Skills: Students are required to keep their binders neat, updated, and completely organized. Students are also taught how to effectively manage their time in order to have a balanced and organized school and personal life.
Student Contract:
It is required that each student and parent sign a contract committing to the AVID program for one year. Students that do not maintain the terms of the contract may be placed on probation with possible removal from the program if the standards are not met. The two main requirements being; they maintain a 2.0 or above average in their core courses, and maintaining satisfactory citizenship, discipline, and attendance in all classes.
Grading Scale Quality Points Grading Categories Weights
A = 90% - 100% 4.0 quality points Classwork/Homework 20%
B = 80% - 89% 3.0 quality points Assessments 80%
C = 70% - 79% 2.0 quality points
D = 60% - 69% 1.0 quality points
F = 0% - 59% 0.0 quality points
Success in the AVID Program:
The AVID elective class can be challenging and rigorous. It requires a commitment from the student and parental support to get the most out of this exceptional class. With these factors in place, the AVID class can be stimulating, engaging, and rewarding. Please check your childs’s agenda book and AVID binder on a regular basis, contact the teacher at any time, and talk with your student on how they are doing.
Parents and Guardians:
Please discuss this syllabus with your child. In addition, please know that a good tool for communication is your child’s agenda book.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program that prepares students for four-year college eligibility by taking those in the “academic middle” and places them in advanced and honors courses. The students learn organizational and higher-order thinking skills through WICOR strategies that are based on rigorous standards. WICOR stands for Writing – Inquiry – Collaboration – Organization – Reading. The student’s academic confidence and self-image improves and they become successful leaders and role models for other students. AVID levels the playing field for minority, rural, low-income and other students without a college-going transition in their families.
Course Activities:
· AVID Binder: Students will create and maintain an AVID binder for use during the entire school year. It should include the following supplies
o 6 dividers with tabs to separate each class
o zipper pouch to store supplies (3-hole punched)
o pencils-at least 2 at all times
o pens – blue and black
o erasers
o highlighters (preferably more than one color)
o handheld pencil sharpener with lid
· Cornell Notes: Students will learn to set up, take, review and use the Cornell Note-Taking System. Cornell Notes are designed to make studying easier.
· Critical Thinking Activities: Students will participate in Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, collaborative projects and other academically focused class work.
· Tutorial: Students will work in collaborative groups under the guidance of either college tutors or the AVID teacher. The purpose of tutorial is to help guide the students in the solving of problems they are facing with concepts in their regularly scheduled academic classes.
· Organization and Time Management Skills: Students are required to keep their binders neat, updated, and completely organized. Students are also taught how to effectively manage their time in order to have a balanced and organized school and personal life.
Student Contract:
It is required that each student and parent sign a contract committing to the AVID program for one year. Students that do not maintain the terms of the contract may be placed on probation with possible removal from the program if the standards are not met. The two main requirements being; they maintain a 2.0 or above average in their core courses, and maintaining satisfactory citizenship, discipline, and attendance in all classes.
Grading Scale Quality Points Grading Categories Weights
A = 90% - 100% 4.0 quality points Classwork/Homework 20%
B = 80% - 89% 3.0 quality points Assessments 80%
C = 70% - 79% 2.0 quality points
D = 60% - 69% 1.0 quality points
F = 0% - 59% 0.0 quality points
Success in the AVID Program:
The AVID elective class can be challenging and rigorous. It requires a commitment from the student and parental support to get the most out of this exceptional class. With these factors in place, the AVID class can be stimulating, engaging, and rewarding. Please check your childs’s agenda book and AVID binder on a regular basis, contact the teacher at any time, and talk with your student on how they are doing.
Parents and Guardians:
Please discuss this syllabus with your child. In addition, please know that a good tool for communication is your child’s agenda book.